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MRG UPDATED: AUGUST 1999 93 CATEGORICAL FACTORS MEDICAID EXTENSIONS/CONTINUATIONS WIDOWS/WIDOWERS Policy: There are two separate disregards that can apply to widows/widowers. A. A person 60 years of age or older who applies for and receives early widow’s or widower’s insurance benefits under section 202(e) or (f) of the Social Security Act, or receives other benefits under section 202 of such Act but is eligible for widow’s/widower’s insurance benefits, and who becomes ineligible for SSI as a result of receiving such benefits, will remain eligible for Medicaid so long as: (1) s/he would be eligible for SSI payments if s/he were not receiving such benefits; and (2) s/he is not entitled to Medicare Part A benefits. B. Certified disabled widows or widowers who lost SSI and Medicaid benefits due to an actuarial adjustment authorized under the Social Security Amendments of 1983 are eligible for Medicaid providing they meet all of the following criteria: (1) in December 1983, the potential eligibles were entitled to monthly insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act; (2) the potential eligibles were entitled to widows’ or widowers’ benefits based on a disability under Title II for January 1984 and also had SSI benefits paid with respect to them in that month; (3) the potential eligibles lost their SSI Benefits because of the increase in the amount of their widow(er)’s benefits for which they became entitled prior to age 60; (4) the potential eligibles have continued to receive their widow(er)’s benefits since January 1984; and (5) the potential eligibles would continue to be eligible for SSI if the amounts of the January 1984 adjustment and any subsequent cost of living adjustments were disregarded in determining their eligibility.