Each year, certain of the income and resource standards are adjusted for the means-tested Medicaid and SSI programs. If you are considering an application for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or for Medicaid, or you’re helping someone to apply, you need to be familiar with the numbers. This post discusses the numbers that are going up on January 1, 2023.
What’s MLTSS? The MLTSS Medicaid program is the one that pays for nursing home care, assisted living or home health care in New Jersey for eligible individuals. The 2023 SSI benefit rate will be $914 per month. The “income cap” limit is 300% of that rate, i.e. $2,742 per month. If an MLTSS applicant’s monthly gross income exceeds $2,742,” it’s necessary to utilize a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) for the excess income (see our prior posts on that topic).
Is there a resource limit? The resource limit for applicants themselves remains the same — generally $2,000 for individual applicants.
The community spouse’s share of the couple’s resources can’t exceed a certain limit as of the time the application is filed. The maximum for this share is going up to $148,620. Also, for low-asset couples, they don’t have to “spend down” below $29,724. The spousal share is called the Community Spouse Resource Allowance or “CSRA.”
Will the healthy spouse lose the income? The community spouse of an individual who is applying for MLTSS may be entitled to some income support from their ill spouse. This is called the MMMNA or Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance. The basic allowance is going up to $2,288.75 and in some cases the spouse may be entitled to as much as $3,715.50.
Becoming eligible for MLTSS Medicaid is very complicated and there are numerous legal requirements. Call for appointment to get advice and assistance that’s specific to your situation, to achieve eligibility while preserving your family’s assets ……….. 732-382-6070