Resources

Resources are things that you own or are buying. The resources of both you and your spouse must be reported, regardless if the resources are owned by your or your spouse individually or together. The total value of resources that must be counted cannot exceed certain resource limits. Resource values are determined as of 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the month(s) that eligibility is determined. Some resources may not be counted.

For a waiver program, resources of a parent(s) are not considered.

Examples of Excluded Resources — The following are examples of some resources that HHSC does not count when determining eligibility:

Homestead — If you, your spouse, or a dependent relative live in the home, the value of the home is not counted. Absence from a homestead may result in loss of its homestead status and exclusion unless you have an intent to return. If you have an intent to return to a homestead in another state, you do not meet the Texas residency requirement. If the value of your home exceeds a certain amount, you may not qualify for payment of nursing facility or waiver services.

Vehicle — One vehicle is excluded, regardless of value. If your household has more than one person and the additional member of the household requires an additional vehicle for transportation to and from work, the additional vehicle is excluded for that member for work transportation. If your household has more than one person and there is an additional member of the household who requires disability accessible transportation, an additional vehicle is excluded if the vehicle is specially equipped for that additional member of the household. For all other vehicles, HHSC counts the current market value or, if you still owe on the vehicle, the current equity value as a resource.

Life Insurance — Life insurance policies that you own with a total face value of $1,500 or less per insured person are excluded. If the face value of all policies per person exceeds $1,500, the cash value is counted as a resource. Term insurance is excluded.

Burial Spaces —All burial spaces are excluded, unless you purchased them as an investment, in which case the equity value is counted.

Burial Funds —Up to $1,500 of the funds identified for burial may be excluded, if kept separate from other resources. This exclusion is only for you and your spouse. This amount is reduced by the face value of any excluded life insurance and the value of any irrevocable arrangements for the individual's burial.

Examples of Countable Resources — The following are examples of resources you may own that are counted when determining eligibility:

Checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, individual retirements accounts (IRAs), stocks, bonds, land, lots or houses (other than homestead), and oil, gas, and mineral rights.

Prepaid Burial Contracts — Prepaid burial contracts may or may not be excluded depending on the terms of the contract, how the contract is paid, ownership of life insurance, and the value of any other burial arrangements you own or another person owns that is for you.

Other resources may or may not be countable depending on ownership and the use of items. Examples are antiques, jewelry, livestock, promissory notes, loans, property agreements, annuities, and trusts.