MaineCare Option for Workers with Disabilities
Updated for 2009
Did you know?
Maine has a MaineCare Option for
Workers with Disabilities.
This option allows you to earn more and still keep
your MaineCare benefits.
You may qualify for this MaineCare Option if:
- You meet the Social Security guidelines for a disability; and
- You have earnings, usually from a job; and
- You meet these financial guidelines:
If you are single:
- Your monthly income from retirement, Social Security or other income that is not wages
from a job must be $903 or less after deductions. (Not all income is counted - income could
be as high as $977 a month)
- Your wages from a job, added to the income that is not from a job, must be $2,257 or
less after deductions. (Not all income is counted so you may still be eligible)
- And your assets are $8,000 or less. (Not all assets are counted. For example, your home,
car and up to $8000 in savings are not counted.)
If you are married:
- Your monthly income from retirement, Social Security or other income that is not wages
from a job must be $1,215 or less after deductions. (Not all income is counted - income
could be as high as $1,314 a month)
- Your wages from a job, added to the income that is not from a job, must be $3,036 or
less after deductions. (Not all income is counted so you may still be eligible)
- And your assets are $12,000 or less. (Not all assets are counted. For example, your home,
car and up to $12,000 in savings are not counted.)
If you meet the three guidelines listed above, you may be eligible for
MaineCare through this option.
Even if you income is above these amounts, you may still be able to
get MaineCare. Not all income is counted. Contact your local Office of
Integrated Access and Support
Regional Office Phone Listing or
a Benefits Specialist to see if you qualify.
What will it cost?
There will be no cost until your income is over $1,354 a month, if you are single. Above that,
you pay $10-$20 a month. There is no cost if you are paying your Medicare Part B premium ($96.40/month)
The two examples below show eligibility
tests for this option. Call the local office of the Department of Health and Human Services to
see how this might work for you. Ask about the Option that allows workers with disabilities to
work and keep their MaineCare benefits.
| EXAMPLE #1 - A single person with a disability
receives both earned and unearned income. Is this person eligible? |
| Step #1 (earnings from Social Security) |
| $977 |
Gross monthly SSDI before any deductions, pension or other unearned income |
| - $75 |
Federal & State disregards |
| $902 |
Countable unearned income |
| This person passes because total unearned income is not more than $903. |
| Step #2 (add all income, including earnings from Social Security
and wages from a job) |
| $977 |
Total monthly Social Security income |
| - $20 |
Federal disregard |
| $957 |
Remaining Social Security income |
| $645 |
Weekly wage earnings |
| $2,773 |
Monthly earnings (weekly times 4.3) |
| - $ 65 |
Work disregard |
| $2,708 |
|
| -1,354 |
Disregard one-half |
| $1,354 |
Remaining wage income |
| +$957 |
Add remaining Social Security |
| $2,311 |
Total income |
| - $ 55 |
Additional State disregard |
| $2,256 |
Total Countable Monthly Income |
| The person in Example #1 is eligible because total monthly countable
income is not more than $2,257. They would pay a monthly MaineCare premium of $20. |
|
| EXAMPLE #2 - A single person with a disability
receives income only from a job (no SSDI, pension or other income). Is this person
eligible? |
| Step #1 |
| Only income is from wages so this step is skipped |
| Step #2 (earnings from a job) |
| $1,094 |
Weekly wage earnings |
| $4,705 |
Monthly wage earnings (weekly times 4.3) |
| - $ 85 |
Federal & State disregards |
| $4,620 |
|
| -2,310 |
Disregard one-half |
| $2,310 |
Total income |
| - $ 55 |
Additional State disregard |
| $2,255 |
Countable Monthly Income |
| The person in Example #2 is eligible because total monthly countable
income is not more than $2,257. They would pay a monthly MaineCare premium of $20. |
|
Reminder: If you already pay premiums
under Part B of Medicare (currently $96.40 per month), you do not have to pay a MaineCare Workers
with Disabilities Option premium.
To contact a benefit specialist, contact:
