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North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services North Carolina Medicaid Division of Health Benefits AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED MEDICAID MANUAL MA-2250

INCOME

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REVISED 12/8/2025 – CHANGE NO. 11-25

I. POLICY RULES

A. Available Income

1. To determine eligibility, count income available to the budget unit in the certification period. Refer to MA-2260, Financial Eligibility Regulations- PLA, MA-2270, Long-Term Care (LTC) Need and Budgeting, MA-2280, Community Alternatives Program Medicaid Eligibility, and MA-2275, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) for definition of financial responsibility/deeming.

2. Consider income available to the budget unit when:

a. It is determined to be available based upon base period projections or verification of benefits received, or

b. The budget unit member or someone acting on the members their behalf has the legal ability to make a sum available for support and maintenance.

c. Income from a financially responsible person (spouse or parent), must be deemed to the a/b.

3. LTC or PACE applicant or beneficiary (a/b) with a Community Spouse

The following rules apply in determining the availability of income for Steps I and II of LTC and PACE budgeting.

a. Trust Fund Income

1) Determine the availability of income according to the terms of the trust.

2) If there is no specific provision in the trust, determine availability of income according to regulations in b. below.

b. Income Not from a Trust Fund 1) If payment of income is made solely in the name of the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, consider the income available to that respective spouse unless the financial