SR 97-17 Dated 07/97

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR updates the maximum income standard and shelter deduction for community spouses under the spousal impoverishment provisions of the Social Security Act. These changes reflect increases in the federal poverty income guidelines as published in the March 10, 1997, Federal Register.

POLICY

There have been increases in the maximum income standard and shelter deduction used to determine the amount of income an institutionalized individual may give to a community spouse. Part 627 of the Adult Assistance Manual has been updated with the new amounts.

 The maximum income standard has increased from $1295 to $ 1327 per month.

 The shelter deduction has increased from $389 to $ 398 per month.

PROCEDURES

Form 779, 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. With new spousal applications July 1,1997 or later, use the updated forms which replace Forms 799 and 799A, released by SR 96-57/January 1997. However, rename and retain in the PC the January 1997 versions of Forms 799 and 799A, in case rollbacks are required. On or before July 1, 1997, the new versions of Forms 799 and 799A will be transmitted to each District Office. Contact Laurie Alway, OES/State Office, at ext. 4580 with any questions related to transferring the forms to PC files.

SYSTEM CHANGES

Since spousal income allocation requires manual computations, no systems changes are needed.

IMPLEMENTATION

The revised figures and Forms 799 and 799A are effective July 1, 1997. When determining how much income can be allocated to the community spouse for months before July 1997, the July 1996 figures and January 1997 versions of Forms 799 and 799A must be used.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

State Office OES will do a mass mailing to all nursing facility administrators, institutionalized individuals with community spouses, and community spouses, to inform these individuals of the spousal-related increases. Copies of the letter are attached for reference.

TRAINING

No training is planned due to the procedural nature of the changes.

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

DISPOSITION

This SR may be destroyed once its contents have been noted and its posting instructions have been carried out.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR only will be distributed according to the narrative distribution list for the AAM and Forms Manuals. This SR and manual pages will be distributed to all holders of the AAM and Forms Manuals.

OES/MGD:s