California: MediCal Income Eligibility Level Raised for Disabled, Aged

Starting January 1 more disabled and elderly people will become eligible for MediCal (Medicaid) in California. Benefits expert Tom McCormack circulated the following email explaining the change:

    Effective January 1, 2001, California will raise its MediCal (Medicaid) income eligibility level for single aged and disabled persons to $926 monthly. That level had previously been fixed at $692 (which remains the income level for SSI and the state supplement to SSI).

    The state will use the same income-counting methodology and income disregards as are used in the SSI program:

    * $20 of any income is disregarded;

    *$65 and half the rest of earnings are disregarded;

    *Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs, cash out-of-pocket medical costs, including transportation to medical care) of the disabled are disregarded;

    *One third of received child support is disregarded;

    * Part of earnings of students under age 21 are disregarded;

    *Other miscellaneous disregards [see Section 1612 of the Social Security Act.]; and

    *Regular MediCal asset exemptions will continue to include one lived-in home of any value, one vehicle of any value, and limited amounts of liquid assets and funds designated for burial.

    Applications will be taken by county social services offices - NOT by SSA.