*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016. Please refer to the EPM for current health care program policy information. ***

Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community)

Effective:  April 1, 2009

21.50.05 - Disabled Widow and Widower Disregard

Archived:  June 1, 2016 (Previous Versions)

Disabled Widow and Widower Disregard

The Disabled Widow and Widower Disregard is a disregard of RSDI benefits for individuals who meet the requirements below. This disregard is only available for MA Method B. This is sometimes called the Early Disabled Widow and Widower Disregard.

Conditions for Use.

Applying the Disregard.

Ending the Disregard.

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Conditions for Use

A client must meet all of the following conditions to use the Disabled Widow/Widower Disregard:

l  Is currently receiving either:

n  RSDI Disabled Widow/Widower benefits.

n  Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse benefits.

l  Age 50 but not yet age 65.

l  Received SSI or MSA benefits the month before the month they began receiving RSDI Disabled Widow/Widower or Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse benefits.

l  Lost SSI or MSA eligibility on or after January 1, 1991 due to the SSI requirement to apply for and receive RSDI Disabled Widow/Widower or Disabled Surviving Divorced Spouse benefits.

l  Remaining income would be at or below the current SSI or MSA benefit rate if RSDI income is disregarded.

l  Is not entitled to Medicare Part A.

Note:  Instruct the client to report when he or she receives a notice of Medicare Part A eligibility from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

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Applying the Disregard

Disregard the RSDI benefits of clients who meet all of the conditions above.

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Ending the Disregard

This disregard ends the first full month the client is eligible for Medicare Part A.

Note:  The months the client collected SSI or MSA are credited toward the 24-month Medicare waiting period.

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