Institutional Eligibility Based on Total Income

Institutional Eligibility Based on Total Income Eligibility is based on total income. Total income does not include any averaged income that may have been used for at-home eligibility. Income subject to averaging in the post-eligibility process is counted in its entirety in the month received for eligibility purposes. Total income does not include any Veteran’s Assistance (VA) Aid & Attendance or VA payments for unreimbursed medical expenses received by a veteran or spouse of a veteran or any income excluded under federal statute. Net rental income is counted after allowable deductions have been verified. Total income is compared to the need standard that is three hundred percent (300%) of the SSI federal benefit rate, subject to annual adjustment. Individuals with income that is equal to or exceeds this limit must qualify for an Income Trust, as outlined in Miss. Admin. Code, Title 23, Part 103, Rule 5.17, in order to be eligible for Medicaid in long term care. An individual must be eligible based on total income or through the use of an Income Trust before moving to the post-eligibility budgeting process that calculates the individual’s cost of care to the facility using income deductions and allowances that reduce total income.