How is Medicaid eligibility under the waiver different from regular Medicaid eligibility?
Under the waiver, Medicaid eligibility is determined based only on the applicant’s income and assets, not the income and assets of family members or other individuals that may reside with them. Also, the amount of monthly income an individual is allowed to receive and still qualify for Medical Assistance card is significantly higher ($1,737 under the waiver compared to $350 under regular MA eligibility). The Social Security Administration adjusts these amounts annually. Under the waiver, the applicant’s assets, unless protected in certain kinds of trust funds, must be under $2,500. This is the same asset threshold as regular Medicaid eligibility.
