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UPDATED: JUNE 2010

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INCOME

MEDICAID STANDARD

Policy: The Medicaid Standard is used to determine eligibility for Singles Childless Couples (S/CC) and Low Income Family (LIF) categories.

NOTE: See REFERENCE MEDICALLY NEEDY INCOME AND FEDERAL POVERTY LEVELS for a chart displaying the Medicaid Levels and Standards and Federal Poverty Levels.

References: GIS 08 MA/022

Interpretation: Determine the A/R's household size and net available monthly income in accordance with the A/R's category. For A/Rs who are LIF or S/CC, the net available income is compared to the Medicaid Standard (and MBL Living Arrangement Chart as appropriate).

Medically Needy A/Rs will have their net available monthly income compared to the Medically Needy Income level or the Medicaid Standard (and MBL Living Arrangement Chart as appropriate) whichever is most beneficial.

Effective April 1, 2008, the Medicaid Standard is used to determine Medicaid eligibility for single individuals and childless couples, regardless of their living arrangement, since medical care is now considered an unmet need. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine if there is an unmet need.

When the A/R resides in specified living arrangements, a water allowance and/or a special shelter amount is added to the Medicaid Standard. (See REFERENCE MBL LIVING ARRANGEMENT CHART to determine when such items should be added to the Medicaid Standard)

NOTE: A request for documentation of a water bill shall be made when the additional allowance affects eligibility under the LIF and S/CC categories. If documentation of a water bill is not provided, the A/R must be budgeted without the additional allowance.

(MRG)