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Effective: December 1, 2006 |
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03.25.30ar1 - Medical Assistance (MA) for Parents / Relative Caretakers (Archive) |
Archived: July 1, 2008 |
Caretakers (including parents) of children who meet the definition of a dependent child have a basis of eligibility for Medical Assistance (MA). See relative caretaker for a list of caretakers who can qualify for a parent/caretaker basis.
l If they live in the home, both biological or adoptive parents have a parent/caretaker basis.
l Non-parent relative caretakers do not have a parent/caretaker basis if a biological or adoptive parent is in the home. This includes stepparents.
Example:
Ruth lives with her husband Sam and her child from a previous marriage, Jonah. They have no children in common.
Action:
Consider eligibility under the parent/caretaker basis for Ruth only. If Ruth were not in the home, Sam could meet a parent/caretaker basis as a non-parent relative caretaker.
l When there is no biological or adoptive parent in the home, one non-parent relative caretaker in the household may have a parent/caretaker basis. Consider this basis first for a non-parent caretaker who does not have another MA basis.
Example:
Mindy (age 10) lives with her 25-year-old cousin Morris and her 66-year-old aunt Nell.
Action:
Because Nell has an MA basis due to being age 65 or older, consider the parent/caretaker basis for Morris.
Eligibility factors are listed below with any information that is unique for this group. Links to standard program guidelines are included as well.
Citizenship/Immigration Status.
Insurance and Benefit Recovery.
Relationship to Other Groups/Bases.
Other Groups/Bases to Consider.
Application Process (standard guidelines)
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Citizenship/Immigration Status (standard guidelines)
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
The caretaker must have a dependent child in the household. A dependent child is a person who meets both of the following conditions:
l Lives with a parent, legal guardian, relative caretaker or foster parent.
l Is less than 18 years old or is an 18-year-old full-time student expected to graduate by age 19.
Reminder: Emancipated minors are not part of their parents' MA household, so do not meet the definition of a dependent child.
Eligibility Method (standard guidelines)
Use Method A for assets and income.
The asset limit is:
l $10,000 for a household of one.
l $20,000 for a household of two or more.
Income limit is 100% FPG.
Deductions/Disregards (standard guidelines)
Use the following Method A deductions and disregards:
l 17% earned income disregard.
People with incomes over 100% FPG may be eligible by spending down to 100% FPG.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Parents who also have a disabled basis of eligibility may be excluded from managed care enrollment even if they choose to use a Method A basis of eligibility. See Multiple Bases of Eligibility.
If the parents are unmarried, paternity must be legally acknowledged or adjudicated for the father to have a parent/caretaker basis.
Example:
Maria and Peter live with their baby, Clifford. Paternity has not been adjudicated, and Peter has not signed a Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage (DHS-3159).
Action:
Maria has a parent/caretaker basis of eligibility for MA. Peter is not considered to be Clifford's legal parent and must meet another basis or be considered for GAMC.
Note: If paternity is later adjudicated or legally acknowledged, both parents have a parent/caretaker basis.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Parents who are blind, disabled, or age 65 or older, must use the applicable Method B basis of eligibility if they wish to apply for the Medicare Savings or waiver programs. See Multiple Bases of Eligibility.
l If age 65 or older, blind, or disabled, consider those MA bases.