[Md-sligo] info programs

Tue Jul 10 13:54:57 UTC 2012

Dear federation family 
The following information is provided to you as a service. Many programs
are hidden and not shared with the consumers. If you have any questions,
phone numbers are provided to you. Some do require the person to be a US
citizen. You can ask me on Saturday the the chapter meeting. 

MD Dept. of Aging Memo #12- March 2, 2012  
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTED FEDERAL AND STATE PROGRAMS 
Federal/State Program Monthly (or Annual) Income Test Annual Asset Test
Notes
Federal Poverty Guidelines 
Individual Couple 
$ 930.83 ($11,170 per year) $1260.83 ($15,130 per year) 
Change effective: January 26, 2012 

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) 
Individual Couple (Apply $20 income disregard) 
$ 951 $1,281 
$11,772 $15,372 
Pays Medicare Part A and B premiums, co-payments, and deductibles. Next
expected change:  3/1/13

Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB)
Individual Couple 
II Individual Couple 
(Apply $20 income disregard) 
$ 951 - $1,281 $1,281 - $1,533 
$1,281 - $1,533 $1,533 - $1,732 
$11,772 
$15,372 
$11,772 
$15,372 
Similar to QMB but pays only the Part B premium. Next expected change:
3/1/13 

Maryland Primary Adult Care (PAC) Program 

Individual Couple (After applying exclusions and disregards)

$1,053 (new )$1,422 (new) 
No asset test For Marylanders ages 19-64, who do not qualify for
Medicare, PAC provides free primary care doctor visits, free mental
health visits (psychiatric or counseling), and low-cost or free
prescription drugs.  PAC will cover some substance abuse, mostly
outpatient.  PAC only covers initial emergency room fee or co-pay.  Does
not cover diagnosis, treatment or other emergency room costs.  Does not
cover hospital stays, ER visits, or specialty care. Call 1-800-226-2142
(toll-free) for application & information. 
Note:  $20 may be subtracted from the individual's or couple's gross
income; if the $20 subtraction reduces the income to the number listed
on the chart, then the individual or couple probably qualifies for the
benefit. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
Individual Couple (Apply $20 income disregard)
$698 (new) $1,048 (new) 
2012 COLA increase 
$2,000 $3,000 
SSA has started a Compassionate Allowance Initiative for individuals
with early-onset (younger-onset) Alzheimer's disease.  This benefit is
for early-onset (younger-onset) Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias for those generally diagnosed under the age of 65 years old.
It does not affect those who are currently receiving full Social
Security retirement benefits.  This will also affect people with Front
temporal dementia (FTD), Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and
mixed-dementia and primary progressive aphasia.  When asked by the SSA
claims representative what the disabling condition is, the applicant
must specify "early-onset Alzheimer's disease." It is strongly
recommended that applicants apply in person at their local SSA office.
You will need to submit an application and other documents at your local
office.  The Alzheimer's Association has prepared a checklist to assist
individuals with the application process. See checklist at:

http://www.alz.org/documents/national/SSDI_checklist.pdf 

  The applicant should apply for SSDI as well if they are receiving
early retirement benefits because they may become eligible for Medicare
before they turn 65.

Medicare Part D
(Prescription Drug) Low-Income Subsidy (EXTRA HELP)

Individual Couple 100% poverty & below) 
If your income does  not exceed: 
$16,755  $22,695 ("full subsidy")  
Owned  resources  does not exceed: 
$13,070 $26,120       
This financial assistance is only for Medicare beneficiaries who have a
Medicare D prescription drug plan.  Benefits vary depending on income
level; assistance may help with cost of premiums, deductibles, co-pays.
You will automatically receive EXTRA HELP if you have Medical
Assistance, QMB, SLMB, or SSI; no need to apply. Apply through Social
Security Administration (1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov) or Local
Department of Social Services. 
To get a monthly figure for monthly income level, divide by 12. 
Note:  Annual asset figures, provided by Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid, include $1,500 (for one person) or $3,000 (for a couple) for
funeral/burial, if beneficiary indicates the need to use some of his/her
assets for that purpose. Funeral/burial funds are included in the new
asset limits for the QMB/SLMB program.

State of Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP)
Individual                 Couple 
$35,510 new $45,390 new 
Effective 1/31/12

        For persons enrolled in a Medicare Prescription or Medicare
Advantage Prescription Drug plan AND have a household income at or below
300% of federal poverty guidelines, SPDAP pays up to $35 per month ( or
$420 annually) toward the cost of the premium for their chosen plan.
All plans are participating in the $35 premium. This does not apply to
individuals who are 100% Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or eligible for full
federal EXTRA HELP as determined by the Social Security Administration.
Proof of 6 months MD residency is required.

Drug manufacturers will provide a 50% discount of the negotiated price
of brand name drugs (excluding fees) for individuals in the coverage
gap. 

As of 1/1/11, SPDAP started providing a 95% subsidy to member's total
drug costs while in the "donut hole or coverage gap" for those who
participate in a PDP or MA-PDS that have contracted with SPDAP. This
will be in effect after the federal discount.   There will be a 5%
coinsurance obligation. Not all Medicare Prescription or Medicare
Advantage Plans are participating in the coverage gap subsidy.  

For further information or applications, call 1-800-551-5995 or go to
www.marylandspdap.com

Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) 
Individual Couple represents 175% of poverty  level) 
$1,588.12 new $2,145.20 new 
Provides eligible low-income Marylanders assistance with home heating
bills; EUSP assists with electric bills. 

Only one application is required for both MEAP and EUSP.  Both programs
are administered by the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP), DHR. 
Next  expected change:  7/1/12

Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) 
Individual Couple (represents 175% of poverty level) 
$1,588.12 ( $2,145.20 (new) 

SNAP Program 
Individual Couple (net income) 100% FPG
$908 $1,226

Food Stamp Program) (net income) 200% FPG
Individual Couple 
$1,862 $2,522 
$3,000 Households where all members are getting TAFDC, EAEDC, or SSI do
not have to pass SNAP Foods Income Test.

Households with at least one elderly (60 or older) or disabled person
must have a net income no greater than the Monthly Net Income Standard
(100% of the FPG (http://www.massresources.org/popup.cfm?id_w=108) ).
Households with elderly or disabled members are allowed special
deductions (http://www.massresources.org/popup.cfm?id_w=92)  from
income.

200% Gross Income Standard (family limits) Effective January 26, 2012

Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

Individual Couple 
$350 $392 
$2,500 $3,000 
Requires documentation of disability; individuals can "spend down" to
this income level to be eligible.

Medicaid Waiver for Older Adults 
 $2,094 represents 300% of SSI)         

$2,000 Assisted living and in-home services for individuals age 50 and
older who meet Medicaid institutional eligibility rules; additional
medical, financial, and technical eligibility requirements apply. Next
expected change: 3/1/13

Senior Care Program

Individual Couple 
$2,637 (new) $3,448 (new) 
$11,000 $14,000

Case managed, in-home services program for individuals 65 and older.
Next expected change:  7/1/12

Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program 
Individual Couple 
$2,637 (new) $3,448 (new)

$11,000 $14,000 
Provides financial assistance for a limited number of eligible Assisted
Living Group Home residents age 62 or older. Next expected change:
7/1/12

Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) Subsidy

Individual Couple 
$2,637 $3,448  
$27,375 $35,587 
Provides financial assistance for a limited number of Congregate Housing
residents in selected sites for individuals 62 and older whose net
monthly income is insufficient to pay the full monthly fee for
Congregate Housing Services. Next expected change:  7/1/12

Accessible Homes for Seniors

Individual  
$57,960 per yr.
(Washington MSA - Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, & Prince
George's Counties)
$46,032 per yr.
 (all other jurisdictions)

Couple 
$66,240 per yr. (Washington MSA) 
$52,608 per yr. (all other jurisdictions) 
Provides zero-interest loans to modify a home space for senior (age 55
or older) living.  Loan payments are deferred for 30 years or until the
sale or transfer of ownership of the home. If the senior resides in the
home of a relative, eligibility is based on the owner's income. This
program is a joint initiative of the MD Dept. of Housing & Community
Development and the MD Dept. of Aging.  Application available by calling
800-756-0119 or at www.mdhousing.org .

Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) Program 

Individual Couple (Approximate countable income per month)

Up to $2,722 Up to $3,677 
(represents 300% of poverty level) Less than $10,000 in countable
resources 
Note: 401(k), and 403(b) retirement accounts, Pension plans, and Keogh
plans are not counted towards the $10,000 asset limit 
The EID Program provides health insurance for qualified employed persons
ages 18-64 who are disabled.  Persons with private health insurance or
Medicare may still qualify for EID.  Participants may be required to pay
a monthly premium from $0 - $55, depending on income. The EID Program is
funded by the Maryland Medical Assistance Program (DHMH).  Certain
income and assets that count for other Medical Assistance programs do
not count toward EID income limits.  The MD Dept. of Disabilities (MDOD)
partners with DHMH to promote the program. See www.mdod.state.md.us.   

Call MDOD at 443-514-5034 or 1-800- 637-4113 for assistance with/
likelihood of eligibility and completion of application by telephone. 

Medical Assistance (Medicaid) - Spousal Impoverishment Protection
Standards For spouse in the community:

Basic Maintenance and Shelter Allowance $1,822 
(no change in 2011) 
Maximum Maintenance and Shelter Allowance $2,739
Next expected change June 2012 For spouse in the nursing home: $2,500 
Minimum Community  Spouse's Asset Share  $21,912

Maximum Community Spouse's Asset Share: $109,560 
Refers to protection of some of the income and assets of a spouse
remaining in the community when the other spouse has entered a nursing
home.
All non-exempt assets (savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds,
etc.) owned by either spouse, jointly or separately, are pooled as of
date nursing home spouse enters the nursing home.   Effective 1/1/09,
the community spouse may keep $22,912 or 1/2 the assets, whichever is
greater, but not more than $109,560.  The couple's remaining assets are
used to pay for nursing home care or other expenses, until the nursing
home spouse's assets reach the Medicaid eligibility level of $2500.  The
community spouse's income will be evaluated to determine how much, if
any, of the nursing home spouse's monthly income can be allowed for the
community spouse's monthly maintenance allowance.  Call 410-767-5800 or
1-800-492-5231 for questions on any aspect of the eligibility
determination process.

2012 State of Maryland Homeowners' Property Tax Credit Program Plan is
based on relationship between property taxes and income; combined gross
household income cannot exceed $60,000. For application, with further
explanation, call 410-767-4433 (Balto. metro area) or 1-800-944-7403
(other areas) or see www.dat.state.md.us. Net worth is less than
$200,000 (excluding property on which you are seeking credit and cash
value of IRAs or qualified retirement savings plans). Allows a credit
against the homeowner's 2012 property tax bill if property taxes exceed
a fixed percentage of the person's gross income.

No age restrictions. 
Credit applicable only to dwelling which is your permanent residence.
Homeowners age 70 and older, who have not applied for the program, may
apply for the previous three years.  Call 410 767-4433 or
1-800-944-7403.  Should file and qualify by May 1st and up to September
1st to receive a tax credit certificate or revised tax bill.

2012 State of Maryland Renters' Tax Credit Program Plan is based on
relationship between rent and income. For application, with further
explanation, call 410-767-4433 (Balto. metro area) or 1-800-944-7403
(other areas) or see www.dat.state.md.us. Net worth is less than
$200,000 Provides tax credit up to $750 a year for renters who meet
certain requirements on rent paid in calendar year 2011. 
For persons age 60 and over, persons who are 100% disabled, or persons
under age 60, not in subsidized housing, who have one or more dependents
under age 18 in their home. To qualify, total gross household income
should not exceed $30,000.  If you qualify, should apply by September
1st, 2012.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Individual Couple 
$2,520 $3,296 (new)
represents 200% of poverty level) 
Operated by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community
Development, WAP enables low-income households to reduce home energy
consumption and maintenance costs through installation of
energy-conserving materials.  Examples of improvements:  health and
safety items, hot water system, lighting retrofit, insulation, furnace
cleaning. Priority is given to low-income homeowners who are elderly,
disabled, have families with children, and/or have the highest energy
consumption.   Eligible renters may also apply.
Apply through your local energy assistance office or through Maryland
Energy Assistance Program.  Call 1-800-352-1446 or 1-800-638-7781.  You
can also apply through your local weatherization agency, local
government, community action agency or local non-profit.

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

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Thank you.

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