DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-01-16 
Baltimore, Maryland   21244-1850 
 
 
 
CMCS Informational Bulletin  
 
 
DATE:    December 5, 2017  
 
FROM:   Brian Neale, Director  
    Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services  
 
SUBJECT:   2018 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards  
 
 
This CMCS informational bulletin is to provide an update on the 2018 Supplemental Security 
Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards.  
 
Certain Medicaid income and resource standards are adjusted beginning each January in 
accordance with changes in the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) and the Consumer Price Index 
(CPI).  Many states offer, for example, categorical eligibility to individuals who are not receiving 
SSI but who meet the financial eligibility requirements of the program, as authorized by 
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(I) of the Social Security Act (the Act).  Similarly, most states have adopted 
the special income level institutional eligibility category authorized under Section 
1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(V) of the Act, the maximum income standard for which is 300% of the SSI 
FBR.  Additionally, certain eligibility standards relating to coverage of long-term services and 
supports, including the home equity limitation in Section 1917(f) of the Act and elements of the 
spousal impoverishment statute in Section 1924, are increased each year based on increases in 
the CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).  
 
Included with this informational bulletin is the 2018 SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards 
chart that displays the new standards.  These standards are also available on Medicaid.gov at 
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/spousal-
impoverishment/index.html. Please update your standards in accordance with this 
information for the provisions that become effective on January 1, 2018.  
 
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Gene Coffey at  
410-786-2234 or Gene.Coffey@cms.hhs.gov.  2018 
SSI and Spousal Impoverishment Standards 
 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)  
Effective 1-1-18 
 
  SSI Federal Benefit  SSI Resource   Income Cap   Earned Income  Unearned Income 
    Benefit Rate (FBR)    Standard  Limit (300%)  Break Even Point  Break Even Point 
   
Individual    750.00    2,000.00    2,250.00    1,585.00    770.00   
Couple    1,125.00     3,000.00       N/A  2,335.00   1,145.00 
     
Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Limit:      1,180.00   (Blind SGA:  1,970.00)  
 
CPI Increase for 2017:      2.2%     
CPI Increase, Since September 1988:  106% 
 
Spousal Impoverishment 
Effective 1-1-18 Unless Otherwise Noted 
 
Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA):      2,030.00  All States (Except Alaska and Hawaii) 
(Effective 7-1-17)          2,536.25  Alaska 
            2,333.75  Hawaii 
 
Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance:     3,090.00 
 
Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowance:     609.00   All States (Except Alaska and Hawaii) 
(Effective 7-1-17)  760.88  Alaska 
    700.13  Hawaii 
 
Community Spouse Resources:   
 
  Minimum Resource Standard:   24,720.00 
  Maximum Resource Standard  123,600.00 
 
Home Equity Limits: 
 
  Minimum:   572,000.00 
  Maximum:  858,000.00