Medicaid Policy                                                                 

431-9 Spousal Impoverishment Income Deduction

Effective Date: November 1, 2021

Previous Policy (431-9 was previously found in section 409-11 until November 1, 2021)

 

Introduction

Some married members may qualify for a spousal impoverishment income deduction.  This amount is called the Spousal Needs Allowance (SNA) and is deducted from the member's total income after the member's personal needs allowance and shelter expenses.

When the community spouse's gross income is less than the computed Spousal Monthly Maintenance Allowance, (431-9.1), the community spouse may qualify for a Spousal Needs Allowance. The purpose is to raise the community spouse's available income to the Minimum Spousal Needs Standard, or higher, if needed.

Members who qualify for this deduction are:

1.    Married members when one enters a medical institution; or

2.    Married members when one is eligible in the following HCB waivers.

·       Aging Waiver

·       Community Supports Waiver

·       Technology Dependent Waiver

·       Acquired Brain Injury Waiver

·       New Choices Waiver-Special Income Group

·       Medically Complex Child