Glossary A-Words SR 01-33, 12/01 (AAM-A)

Advance notice period — The period of time from the date the Notice of Decision denying, decreasing, or terminating benefits is mailed, to the date the changes take effect.

Alien — A foreign-born person who has not been naturalized and is still a citizen of a foreign country; any individual who is not a citizen of the U.S.

Alien Sponsor — Any individual who executed an affidavit of support or similar agreement on behalf of an alien (who is neither the child of the sponsor nor the sponsor’s spouse) as a condition of the alien’s entry into the U.S. When deeming the sponsor’s income, "sponsor" refers only to individuals and does not apply to churches, agencies, or organizations.

Annuity — Any instrument which gives the right to receive fixed, periodic payments, either for life or a term of years.

Anticipated change — A change that will take place in the future.

Application — A formal request for assistance on Form 800, Application, or Form 800H, HEIGHTS Application Form, signed and dated by the applicant.

Assets — All income and resources of a Medicaid applicant or recipient or the individual’s spouse. Assets include income or resources to which the individual or spouse is entitled but does not receive because of any action by the individual or spouse, or person, including a court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the individual or spouse or any person, including a court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the individual or spouse.

Assistance payment — The negotiable bank warrant issued to recipients of financial assistance.

Authorized representative — An individual who acts on behalf of the casehead in some or all aspects for initial and continuing eligibility. The authorized representative may be anyone designated by the casehead or an individual acting responsibly on behalf of the casehead.