Hello All,

We are starting to get questions about how the federal unemployment benefits of $600 per week for 12 weeks provided under the CARES Act will affect eligibility for benefits. Below is some information that might be helpful to you.

 

Medicaid/MSP

According to Ways and Means FAQ, the federal UC payments won’t affect eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/UC%20FAQ%20CARES%20Act.pdf

But we think they’re talking about specific pandemic-funded unemployment benefits. You should look at how the State treats UC benefits.

Please note that CMS has not released guidance yet.

 

Extra Help – from SSA

For purposes of determining countable income for the subsidy, most of the unearned income exclusions that apply to the SSI program, also apply to Part D subsidy eligibility determinations.

 

Unemployment Compensation authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Recovery Act is to be treated as countable unearned income just as regular unemployment compensation per POMS SI 00830.230. Unemployment Insurance Benefits. 

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830230

 

SNAP

As for SNAP, FNS is busy trying to figure out a way to exclude the specific pandemic-funded unemployment benefits but haven’t announced anything yet.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

Leslie

 

Leslie Fried, J.D.

Senior Director, Center for Benefits Access

Office: 571.527.3992

Leslie.Fried@ncoa.org

 

National Council on Aging

Improving the lives of millions of older adults

251 18th Street South, Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22202

ncoa.org | @NCOAging

 

Join us online at the 2020 Age+Action Virtual Conference, June 8-10

 

 

The information contained in this electronic mail and its attachments is privileged and confidential. It is intended for the use of the addressee and others specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, you are prohibited from disseminating, distributing or copying this communication. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and notify us by replying to this e-mail immediately.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.

This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more Click Here.