MaineCare Option for Workers with Disabilities

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2012 Maine has a MaineCare Option for Workers with Disabilities

This option allows you to earn more and still keep your MaineCare benefits.

What is MaineCare?

MaineCare is a health insurance program for Maine people who qualify. If you have a disability, MaineCare allows you to work, save, and move toward independence.

What are the MaineCare benefits?

MaineCare can pay for services like:

  •  Hospital care
  • Doctor visits
  • Medications
  • Substance abuse services
  •  Mental health services
  • Private duty nursing and personal care services
  •  Physical and occupational therapy
  • Transportation to appointments for MaineCare covered services

 

You may qualify for this MaineCare Option if:

  1. You meet the Social Security guidelines for a disability; and
  2. You have earnings, usually from a job; and
  3. You meet the following 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 $1,006 or less ($931 with a $75 disregard); and
  • Your wages from a job, added to the income that is not from a job, must be $2,328 or less after deductions (but only half of your gross wages 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 $8,000 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 $1,361 or less ($1,261 with a $100 disregard); and
  • Your wages from a job, added to the income that is not from a job, must be $3,153 or less after deductions (but only half of your gross wages 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.)

What will it cost?

There will be no cost until your income is over $1,397 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.

I have a disability and want to work, or work more hours. What should I do?

If you do not have MaineCare, apply by calling or visiting your local DHHS office.

If you have MaineCare, talk to your eligibility worker at the Department of Health and Human Services about how working may affect your MaineCare benefits.

You can also contact a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) for assistance. See resource list for contact information.

For more information about MaineCare benefits, call:

MaineCare Member Services 1-800-977-6740
TDD/TTY 1-800-977-6741

Resources

Resources for people with disabilities who want to work:

Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

Staff can provide training, job placement services and related employment supports.
Toll Free 1-800-698-4440
TTY 1-888-755-0023

Community Work Incentives Coordinators (CWIC)

Going to work and earning more income may impact your Social Security and other income-eligible benefits like housing and Food Stamps. From anywhere in Maine, contact a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) for this free service at:

Maine Medical Center
Department of Vocational Services
Toll Free 1-888-208-8700
Email: wipa@mmc.org
Web-site: www.benefitsandworkinme.org

Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS)

Assistance for people with disabilities who have Social Security and are in cash payment. Services can include providing information about your rights and benefits in getting vocational, employment and other support services.

Disability Rights Center
Phone: 1-800-452-1948
Web-site: www.drcme.org

DHHS Local Offices

Augusta
Phone: 624-8000 or 1-800-452-1926
TTY Maine rely 711		 Bangor
Phone: 561-4100 or 1-800-432-7825
TTY Maine rely 711
Biddeford
Phone: 286-2400 or 1-800-322-1919
TTY Maine rely 711		 Calais
Phone: 454-9000 or 1-800-622-1400
TTY Maine rely 711
Caribou
Phone: 493-4000 or 1-800-432-7366
TTY Maine rely 711		 Ellsworth
Phone: 667-1600 or 1-800-432-7823
TTY Maine rely 711
Farmington
Phone: 778-8400 or 1-800-442-6382
TTY Maine rely 711		 Fort Kent
Phone: 834-7700 or 1-800-432-7340
TTY Maine rely 711
Houlton
Phone: 532-5000 or 1-800-432-7338
TTY Maine rely 711		 Lewiston
Phone 795-4300 or 1-800-482-7517
TTY Maine rely 711
Machias
Phone 255-2000 or 1-800-432-7846
TTY Maine rely 711		 Portland
Phone: 822-2000 or 1-800-482-7520
TTY 1-888-720-1925
Rockland
Phone: 596-4200 or 1-800-432-7802
TTY Maine rely 711		 Sanford
Phone: 490-5400 or 1-800-482-0790
TTY Maine rely 711
Skowhegan
Phone: 474-4800 or 1-800-452-4602
TTY Maine rely 711		 South Paris
Phone:744-1200 or 1-888-593-9775
TTY Maine rely 711

Department of Health and Human Services
Maine People Living Safe, Healthy and Productive Lives

 

Paul R. LePage, Governor
Mary C. Mayhew, Commissioner

Non-Discrimination Notice: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Maine Human Rights Act and Executive Order Regarding State of Maine Contracts for Services. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators, 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011, 207-287-4289 (V) or 287-3488 (V), 1-888-577-6690 (TTY). Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in programs and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to one of the ADA Compliance/EEO Coordinators. This notice is available in alternate formats, upon request.

Printed under a Federal Grant to Maine DHHS by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services/DHHS/grant 1QACMS030316

January, 2012