You may apply for Medicaid at your local Division of Family Services office. You may consult the telephone directory under state government for the local phone number and address. Division of Family Services measures the amount of income you have over and above the SSI maximum. Income above this maximum is considered available to meet allowable medical costs. You may still be eligible for Medicaid under the spenddown provision.
Eligibility is determined on a three-month basis.
The difference between your actual income and the SSI maximum is the spenddown amount, or the amount of medical expenses which you must incur in order to become eligible for Medicaid. If medical expenses incurred during the three months equal or exceed the spenddown amount, Medicaid will be available to you. Some income is excluded such as irregular or unpredictable monetary gifts and in-kind income. Resources include checking accounts, savings bonds, stock, some jewelry, savings accounts and other valuables. When only one member of a couple resides in a Medicaid certified nursing facility or receives home and community based waiver services, other special resource rules apply.