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beneficiaries seeking LTSS without regard to basis of eligibility and are explained in greater detail in Part 6 of this Subchapter. (1) Allocation of resources with spouses/dependents. The evaluation and allocation of resources at the point the need for LTSS is established and/or at the time of application is required for LTSS applicants who have spouses. This process, referred to as the Community (Non-LTSS) Spouse Resource Allowance (SRA), allocates the joint resources of couples in accordance with Federal standards to ensure a sufficient amount is protected for the non-LTSS spouse's needs – that is, unavailable to pay for the costs of care for the LTSS applicant/beneficiary. The allocation of resources at this state of the eligibility process is distinct from that which occurs when determining the amount of income a beneficiary must pay toward the cost of care in the “post- eligibility” treatment of income. LTSS MAGI beneficiaries are subject to allocation of resource requirements but are exempt from the post-eligibility treatment process. (2) Transfer of assets. The determination of financial eligibility for Medicaid LTSS requires that the State review whether an applicant made a "disqualifying" transfer of assets – liquid resources and real property – in the sixty (60) month period before the need for LTSS was established. A transfer is deemed to be disqualifying if the asset was conveyed for less than fair market value. Under Federal law, such a transfer is presumed to have been made to reduce assets for the expressed purpose of gaining Medicaid LTSS eligibility. The State is required to impose a penalty period, during which Medicaid coverage for LTSS is unavailable, that is equal to the amount of the disqualifying transfer divided by the average cost of care at the private pay rate. B. Once eligibility has been determined, payment for Medicaid LTSS becomes available only after the following inter-related steps are completed: 1. Service Plan – Development of a service plan ensures that a beneficiary is or will be able to attain the full scope of services required to meet his/her needs in the choice of LTSS living arrangement. Towards this end, LTSS specialists from across the EOHHS agencies and their community partners and contractual agents consider the results of the clinical/functional needs-based assessment, more intensive evaluations, as appropriate, and/or the consensus decisions made in the person- centered planning process for HCBS or the results of the PASRR for nursing facility care to help ensure that every beneficiary receives the right services, at the right time, and in the most appropriate setting.