SR 05-16 Dated 07/05 |
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION
SIGNATURE DATE: |
June 6, 2005 |
FROM: |
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR Terry R. Smith |
AT (OFFICE): |
Division of Family Assistance |
TO: |
DFA Supervisors
|
SUBJECT: |
July 2005 Spousal Impoverishment Related Maximum Income Standard and Shelter Deduction Increase; Revised Forms 799 and 799A |
EFFECTIVE DATE: |
July 1, 2005 |
SUMMARY
This SR releases the annual July updates to the following spousal impoverishment figures used to determine the amount of income an institutionalized individual may give to a community spouse:
· the maximum income standard; and
· the shelter deduction.
POLICY
In accordance with the spousal impoverishment provisions of Chapter 19 Section 1924(d)(2)-(4) of the Social Security Act, the maximum income standard (MIS) and excess shelter deduction (ESD) figures used to determine the amount of income an institutionalized individual may give to a community spouse must be updated annually to reflect the federal poverty income guidelines. Based upon the income guidelines published in the Federal Register dated February 18, 2005:
· the MIS has increased from $1,562 to $1,604 per month; and
· the ESD has increased from $469 to $482 per month.
FORMS REVISIONS
Form 799, Spousal Income Protection, and Form 799A, Income Computation Worksheet for Allocation of Income for Institutionalized Individuals, have been revised to include the maximum income standard and the shelter deduction increases. A copy of each of these forms is attached to this SR for reference.
With new spousal applications July 1, 2005 or later, use the updated forms which replace Forms 799 and 799A released by SR 05-01/January 2005. However, rename and retain the January 2005 versions of Form 799 and 799A, in case rollbacks are required.
The new versions of Forms 799 and 799A will be electronically transmitted to each District Office with the electronic release of this SR. Contact Linda White, DFA State Office, at 271-4580 with any questions related to transferring the electronic versions of these forms to your PC.
POLICY MANUAL REVISIONS
Revised Adult Assistance Manual Topics
Section 627.03 Allocation to a Community Spouse
Section 627.05 Allocation to Dependents Who Reside with the Community Spouse
IMPLEMENTATION
The new figures are effective July 1, 2005. New HEIGHTS will update all reference tables and use the new amounts for any cases computed or recomputed on or after that date. When determining how much income can be allocated to the community spouse for months before July 2005, the January 2005 figures and versions of Forms 799 and 799A must be used.
CLIENT NOTIFICATION
DFA State Office will do a mass mailing to all institutionalized individuals with community spouses and to their community spouses to inform these individuals of the spousal-related increases. A copy of each of the letters is attached for reference.
TRAINING
No training is needed or planned due to the procedural nature of the changes.
DISPOSITION
This SR may be destroyed or deleted after its contents have been noted and the revised manual topics released by this SR have been posted to the On-line Manual.
DISTRIBUTION
This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for Division of Family Assistance policy releases. This SR, and revised On-Line Manuals, will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/DFA/LIBRARY, effective July 1, 2005.
This SR, and printed pages with posting instructions, will be distributed under separate cover to all hard copy holders of the Adult Assistance Manual.
DFA/DMS:s