8250 Determination of Countable Income - Countable income is that amount of income which is considered in determining eligibility and the amount of obligation for medical expenses.
A portion of all income (earned and unearned) is disregarded from gross nonexempt income in determining eligibility and the amount of client obligation for persons in HCBS. One disregard is allowed for the combined income of the individual. Disregarded income is not considered available to meet medical expenses.
The following are the amounts to be disregarded:
From earned income, certain work expense deductions.
This disregard does not apply to ineligible members of the assistance
plan. The amount of the disregard cannot exceed the amount of earned
income. The standard amounts may be deducted if allowable expenses
are reported. If expenses exceed this amount, actual expenses may
be used but must be verified and averaged. Expenses cannot be subject
to reimbursement from any source (including Medicaid or the employer).
Blind
Work Expense (BWE) - For the blind, the first $300
of earned income is disregarded for persons reporting allowable
work expense(s). If verified expenses exceed this amount, actual
average expenses shall be allowed. Allowable expenses for the
blind are expenses reasonably attributable to earnings of the
income. The following are allowable expenses:
Guide dog expenses including
the (cost of obtaining and maintaining the animal such as
food, licenses and vet bills);
Transportation to and from
work (For purposes of determining actual expenses for private
transportation, the current state reimbursement rate for privately
owned vehicles shall be used. This includes the increased
rate for specially equipped or modified vehicles to accommodate
a disability. Because this standard mileage rate includes
expenses for gas, oil, insurance, etc. in the determination,
these items are not separately allowable. The cost of modifying
a vehicle are allowable (e.g., installing a ramp) but the
cost of the actual vehicle is not. Actual costs of public
transportation (e.g., cab fare, bus tokens) shall be allowed.);
Federal, state and local
income taxes, Social Security tax;
Attendant care services;
Visual aides and translation
services;
Drugs (except for lifestyle
or cosmetic medications) and other medical expenses or equipment
NOT covered by Medicaid, or Medicare or other insurance, including
co-payments;
Costs of training to use
special equipment.
Impairment
Related Work Expense (IRWE) - For others, the first
$100 of earned income is disregarded for persons reporting allowable
work expense(s). If verified expenses exceed this amount, actual
average expenses shall be allowed. Allowable expenses are those
directly related to enabling a person to work which are incurred
because of a physical or mental impairment. The following are
allowable expenses:
Attendant
care performed in the work setting or helping prepare for
work;
Specialized
Transportation to and from work; Examples include structurally
modified vehicles to accommodate the individuals disability
(both the operating costs and the cost to modify), the costs
of a driver or taxi cab if the individual requires assistance
and cannot manage to get off or on public transportation or
public transportation has not been modified for the person’s
disability (e.g., wheelchair accessible). Transportation is
not allowable for persons who can drive an unmodified car
or utilize public transportation without assistance.
For purposes of determining actual expenses for private transportation,
the current state reimbursement rate for privately owned specially
equipped vehicles shall be used. This is the increased rate
for specially equipped or modified vehicles to accommodate
a disability. Because this standard mileage rate includes
expenses for gas, oil, insurance, etc. in the determination,
these items are not separately allowable. Actual costs of
public transportation (e.g., cab fare, bus tokens) shall be
allowed. The cost of modifying a vehicle are allowable (e.g.,
installing hand controls) but the cost of the actual vehicle
is not.;
Drugs (except for lifestyle
or cosmetic medications) and other medical expenses or equipment
NOT covered by Medicaid, or Medicare or other insurance, including
co-payments;
Service Animal expenses
including the costs of obtaining and maintaining the animal
such as food, licenses and vet bills as described in Appendix,
Item P-1;
Non-medical equipment and
services, such as tools and one-handed typewriters, related
to the impairment
The first $20 per month of any income (this disregard
is to be applied first to unearned income, if any, with any remainder
of the disregard applied to earned income, if any); and
The first $65 per month of gross (or adjusted gross)
earned income; and
One-half of the remainder of earned income.
8260 Income Standards - A standard has been established which is the amount of monthly income protected from medical expenses to allow applicants/recipients to meet their maintenance needs. This standard is $727/month. This standard is applicable the month HCBS is effective (8200.3).