Community Unearned-income Deductions

In addition to business expenses described at 130 CMR 520.010, the MassHealth agency allows the deductions listed below from the total gross unearned income. These deductions do not apply to the income of a community spouse described at 130 CMR 520.026(B). The deductions allowed from the total gross unearned income are the following: (A) a deduction of $20 per individual or married couple; or (B) in determining eligibility for MassHealth Standard, a deduction that is equivalent to the difference between the applicable MassHealth deductible-income standard at 130 CMR 520.030 and 133% of the federal poverty level. This deduction includes, and is not in addition to, the $20 disregard. (1) This deduction from gross unearned income is allowed only for persons who (a) are 65 years of age and older; (b) are receiving personal-care attendant services paid for by the MassHealth agency, or have been determined by the MassHealth agency, through initial screening or by prior authorization, to be in need of personal-care attendant services; and (c) prior to applying the deduction at 130 CMR 520.013(B), have countable income that is over 100% of the federal poverty level. Page 520.014 (2) The MassHealth agency will redetermine eligibility without this deduction if (a) after 90 days from the date of the MassHealth agency eligibility approval notice, the person is not receiving personal-care attendant services paid for by the MassHealth agency or has not submitted, upon request from the MassHealth agency, proof of efforts to obtain personal-care attendant services paid for by the MassHealth agency; or (b) the MassHealth agency denies the prior-authorization request for personal-care attendant services. (3) If countable income, prior to applying the deduction at 130 CMR 520.013(B), is greater than 133 percent of the federal poverty level, eligibility is determined under 130 CMR 519.005(B): Financial Standards Not Met.