Federal assistance programs to tackle rising inflation

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In recent years, rising inflation has made it harder for many seniors to pay their expenses. This month, we’ll look at programs that can help with the cost of groceries and health care. If your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for assistance from federal and/or state programs.
 

<Q1> Did you know that only about half of eligible elders benefit from cash assistance for grocery shopping?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest Federal nutrition assistance program. This program gives you a special debit card to help you buy food if you have a limited income and a few assets. 

A household must meet both the gross and net income limits. For instance, a two-person household’s gross monthly income must not exceed about $2,215, and net income must not exceed $1,704. Additionally, their assets must be $2,750 or less. However, if there’s a member in the household aged 60 or older, they don’t need to meet the gross income test, and the asset limit increases to $4,250. These limits are updated each year.

While SNAP is a federal program, you must apply in the state where you currently live and meet the state’s requirements, as each state manages its own application process, eligibility criteria, and benefit distribution. Some states, such as California, New York, and Washington, have income limits higher than the federal ones, so it is worth applying to see if you qualify. 

Currently, only less than half of eligible older adults are participating, meaning over half may be missing out on this valuable support. Please consider applying to see if you are eligible.

<Q2> Can I have both Medicare and Medicaid? 

Yes, you can have both Medicare and Medicaid. Federal law requires states to provide Medicaid to certain groups, which includes many older adults and people with disabilities. If you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income), you are automatically eligible for Medicaid. For those who don’t get SSI but want Medicaid as a senior, you need to meet limited income and asset requirements, which vary by state and change year to year.

For example, in California, a married couple can qualify with a monthly income of $2,432, and CA does not count assets in determining Medicaid eligibility. On the other side, in Washington, the monthly income and asset limits are the same as SSI’s --- $1,450 in monthly income and less than $3,000 assets for a couple --- so only SSI recipients qualify for full Medicaid as seniors. 

If you are approved for FULL Medicaid as a senior, your state Medicaid will pay your Medicare Part B premium for Medicare Part B (and if applicable, Parts B and A). Medicaid can help with additional Medicare costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. You’ll also automatically qualify for Extra Help with Medicare-covered prescription drug costs. Beyond this, Medicaid can offer more services than Medicare alone, including long-term care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.

<Q3> I was determined I was not qualified for full Medicaid when I turned 65 and enrolled in Medicare. Is there any way to get help if I am not eligible for Medicaid for the elderly?

If you are not eligible for Medicaid and can’t afford the costs of Medicare, you may still qualify for partial Medicaid through Medicare Savings Program (MSP). MSPs are a subset of Medicaid benefits sponsored by state Medicaid. They help people with limited income and few assets pay for Medicare costs such as premium or both premium and out-of-pocket expenses. You'll also get Extra Help with MSP approval.

There are three types of MSPs based on an individual’s income level, and each type provides a different level of coverage. Under federal guidelines, a single individual may qualify if their monthly income is up to $1,780 and assets are below $9,430, while couples may qualify if their monthly income is up to $2,399 and assets are under $14,130.

However, some states, such as New York, have more flexible MSP eligibility criteria. In the state of New York, single individuals with income up to $2,445 or couples with income up to $3,298 per month can qualify, and NY does not apply as asset test.

Please note. While MSPs provide substantial financial assistance, they do not include additional coverage such as dental, vision, or hearing aids. Please call us if you have any questions or need assistance.

 

Note: The primary residence (the house the person lives in) and one car that is used for transportation are typically not counted as assets for Senior Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and SNAP.