Page 15

need expenses, a maintenance of need allowance has been established for those receiving HCBS. LTSS beneficiaries in HCBS living arrangements may qualify for the HCBS maintenance of needs allowance only; or a State-optional (SO) personal needs allowance and HCBS maintenance of needs allowance; or a special maintenance of need allowance based on setting or LTSS need in addition to non-LTSS spousal and family allowances; or a family maintenance of need allowance: 1. HCBS Maintenance of Needs Allowance Only – The HCBS maintenance needs allowance is set at three hundred percent (300%) of the Federal Benefit rate, for a family of one (1), and is taken as a deduction from the Medicaid LTSS beneficiary’s gross income subsequent to any required exclusions. Beneficiaries who qualify for the State-optional supplement receive an additional payment, as indicated below. Although the HCBS maintenance needs allowance is protected income that cannot be included in the calculation of beneficiary liability, the income is available for room and board, personal effects, and any attendant health costs that are not covered by Medicaid. The HCBS maintenance needs allowance is based on a reasonable assessment of need provided in lieu of a home maintenance allowance, unless statutory requirements direct otherwise. 2. State-Only – Personal Needs Allowance – R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-6-27 establishes the State’s optional supplemental payment and requires that a portion of the monthly cash payment provided to LTSS beneficiaries who are residing in certain living arrangements be set aside as a State-only personal needs allowance. Only beneficiaries with income at or below three hundred percent (300%) of the federal benefit rate are eligible for this deduction. This State-only – personal needs allowance is in addition to the Special HCBS maintenance needs allowance and varies in accordance with the State supplement payment category and/or type of residence: a. Living in own household – thirty-nine dollars and ninety-two cents ($39.92) for an individual and seventy-nine dollars and thirty-six cents ($79.36) for a couple b. Living in the household of another – fifty-one dollars and ninety-two cents ($51.92) for an individual and ninety-seven dollars and thirty cents ($97.30) for a couple c. Medicaid certified assisted living residence – one hundred twenty dollars ($120.00) d. Medicaid beneficiaries who qualify for Category D, but do not meet the eligibility requirements for long-term care, receive a State-only personal needs allowance of fifty-five dollars ($55.00).