Page 6

Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual Section: Institutional Medicaid Policy Manual Number: 125.020 Chapter: Post-Eligibility Treatment of Income

July 1, 2026 Division of TennCare 6 ii. CSIMA Calculation 1. Terms and Standards a. Standard Maintenance Amount (SMA): The poverty level standard used to determine the community spouse’s monthly maintenance needs. The SMA is 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for a household of 2. The SMA is $2,705.00, effective July 1, 2026. b. Maintenance Needs Standard: The minimum amount of monthly income necessary to meet the community spouse’s maintenance needs and prevent impoverishment. The Maintenance Needs Standard is determined by adding the SMA and Excess Shelter Allowance (ESA). c. Utility Allowance: The utility allowance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) used in lieu of the community spouse’s actual utility expenses. i. The Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) is used when the community spouse is responsible for heating or cooling costs. If the SUA is used, then it is considered to cover all utilities, including garbage, water, lighting, etc. The SUA is $451, effective October 1, 2025. ii. The Basic Utility Allowance (BUA) is used when the community spouse is responsible for at least two utility expenses, but is not responsible for heating or cooling costs. The BUA is $162, effective October 1, 2025. iii. The Standard Telephone Allowance is used when the community spouse is responsible for a telephone expense, but is not entitled to any other utility allowance. The Standard Telephone Allowance is $36, effective October 1, 2025. d. Standard Housing Allowance (SHA): The SHA is used to determine whether the community spouse requires an Excess Shelter Allowance. The SHA is $811.50, effective July 1, 2026.