2023 Financial Eligibility Guidelines
Review the programs and services listed below, offered by the federal, state and local government. These are designed for low-income/limited households. Each has financial eligibility guidelines, which are subject to frequent updates. For more information, refer directly to the program you are interested in.
Note: Asset tests are only listed for those programs for which they are required.
| Type | Benefit Description | One Person | Two People |
|---|---|---|---|
Utility | Affordable Connectivity Program Helps pay for internet service and connected devices like laptops or tablets. | Income: $2,265 | Income: $3,052 |
| Utility | Maryland Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Provides financial assistance towards water and wastewater bills. Applicant needs to have at least $100 worth of arrearages to qualify. | Income: $3,324 | Income: $4,347 |
| Food | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Helps buy food needed for good health. The benefit amount varies based on household circumstances. Income limits may be lower. Asset tests may exist for some categories of individuals. Visit myDHR to apply. | Income: $2,266 per month | Income: $3,052 per month |
| Utility | Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Changed July 1 Provides assistance with home heating bills. Only one person has to be 67 years old in the household to use the higher income figures. Only one application is required for both the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and Electric Universal Service Program. | Income:
| Income:
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| Utility | Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Changed July 1 Provides assistance with electric bills. Only one application is required for both the Maryland Energy Assistance Program and Electric Universal Service Program. Only one person has to be 67 years old in the household to use the higher income figures. | Income:
| Income:
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| Medical | Medical Assistance for Ages 65 and Up State-funded health insurance. Requires documentation of disability; individuals can "spend down" to this income level to be eligible. Excludable assets include house, car, and burial plan. Visit myDHR to apply. | Income: $350 Assets: $2,500 | Income: $392 Assets: $3,000 |
| Medical | Medical Assistance for Ages 65 and Younger State-funded health insurance. Typically requires that applicant not receive any other types of health insurance, including Medicare. Excludable assets include house, car and burial plan. Visit myDHR to apply. | Income: $1,677 Assets: $2,500 | Income: $2,269 Assets: $3,000 |
| Medical | Reduced Health Insurance Premiums for Qualified Plans through Maryland Health Connection To qualify, you must be
| Income: $1,565 to $8,104 per month (for age 60) | Income: $2,107 to $16,208 per month (for age 60) |
| Income | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Medical Assistance eligibility automatic. | Income: $914 Assets: $2,000 | Income: $1,371 Assets: $3,000 |
| Home/Community | Home and Community Based Options Waiver Assists with payment of services in the home or in assisted living. Must be assessed at nursing home level of care and meet Medical Assistance institutional eligibility rules. Age 18 and older. Income eligibility figure includes $20 disregard. | Income: $2,742 Assets: $2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category | Income: Only the applicant's income is considered. Assets: $2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category |
Income | Senior Community Service Employment Programs.(SCSEP) Employment for low-income, age 55 and up. | Income: $1,518 | Income: $2,054 |
Home/Community | Case-managed, in-home services for age 65 and up. Must be at risk of admission to a nursing home. | Income: $3,324 Assets: $11,000 | Income: $4,346 Assets: $14,000 |
Emergency | One-time-only emergency assistance. | Income: $2,265 Assets: $7,000 | Income: $3,052 Assets: $10,000 |
Home/Community | Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Provides financial assistance for a limited number of eligible assisted living group home residents age 62 and up. Will pay up to $1,000 toward cost of facility. | Income: $3,324 Assets: $20,064 | Income: $4,346 Assets: $26,400 |
Home/Community | Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) Financial assistance for support services in selected senior housing sites for ages 62 and up. | Income: $3,324 Assets: $27,375 | Income: $4,346 Assets: $35,587 |
Home/Community | Accessible Homes for Seniors A loan program with zero percent interest deferred for 30 years to finance accessibility improvements. Age 55 and up. | Income: $4,663 | Income: $5,329 |
| Home/Community | Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit/Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouse Payments for personal care assistance or assisted living through the Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit for Veterans who are homebound. Veteran must have over 90 days active duty, one day during time of war. | Net worth: $150,538 | Net worth: $150,538 |
| Medical | Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID) Extends Medical Assistance benefits to Marylanders age 18 to 64 with disabilities. | Income: No limit Assets: Under $10,000 | Income: No limit Assets: Under $15,000 |
| Utility | Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Helps with the installation of energy conservation materials and major appliances. | Income: $3,245 per month | Income: $4,243 per month |
| Utility | EmPOWER Maryland Helps with the installation of energy conservation materials and major appliances. | Income: $4,663 | Income: $5,325 |
Federal Poverty Limit Guidelines
The federal government sets the Federal poverty limit each January.
- One person: $1,215 per month ($14,580 per year)
- Two people: $1,643 ($19,720 per year)
- Three people: $2,071 per month ($24,860 per year)
- Four people: $2,500 per month ($30,000 per year)
Medicare
Learn more about Medicare benefits, enrollment criteria and eligibility for savings:
- Medicare 2023 Fact Sheet
- New to Medicare Enrollment Criteria
- Eligibility for Savings on Medicare
- Local Help with Medicare
Medicaid Long-Term Care Facilities Spousal Impoverishment Standards
All non-exempt assets (such as savings and checking accounts, stocks, bonds) owned by either spouse, jointly or separately, are pooled as of the date the nursing home spouse enters the nursing home. The community spouse may keep $26,076 or half the assets, whichever is greater, but not more than $130,380. The couple's remaining assets are used to pay for nursing home care or other expenses until the nursing home spouse's assets reach the Medicaid eligibility level. The community spouse's income will be evaluated to determine how much, if any, of the nursing home spouse's monthly income can be allowed for the community spouse's monthly maintenance allowance.
Assets for Community Spouse
- Maximum Spousal Share: $148,620
- Minimum Spousal Share: $29,724
Income for Community Spouse
- Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $2,288.75
- Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowance: $686.63
- Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $3,715.50