Benefits Roster 2021 Financial Eligibility Guidelines

Programs and services from the federal, state and local government have financial eligibility guidelines, which are subject to frequent updates. For more information, refer directly to the program you are interested in.

Benefit	Resource	One Person	Two People	Additional Guidelines
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)*	Income	$2,127 per month	$2,873 per month	Helps low-income households buy the food needed for good health. The benefit amount varies based on household circumstances. Income limits may be lower and asset tests may exist for some categories of individuals.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)*	Assets	No asset test	No asset test
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Changed July 1	Income	$1,878 per month (under age 67) $2,147 (age 67+)	$2,540 per month (under age 67) $2,903 (age 67+)	Provides eligible low-income Marylanders assistance with home heating bills. Only one person has to be 67 years old in the household to use the higher income figures.
	Assets	No asset test	No asset test
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Changed July 1	Income	$1,878 per month (under age 67) $2,147 (age 67+)	$2,540 per month (under age 67) $2,903 (age 67+)	Provides eligible low-income Marylanders 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.
	Assets	No asset test	No asset test
Medical Assistance for those on Medicare*	Income	$350	$392	Requires documentation of disability; individuals can "spend down" to this income level to be eligible. Excludable assets include house, car and burial plan.
Medical Assistance for those on Medicare*	Assets	$2,500	$3,000
Medical Assistance for those without Medicare*	Income	$1,482	$2,004
Reduced Health Insurance Premiums for Qualified Plans through Maryland Health Connection	Income	$1,483 to $4,253 per month	$2,005 to $5,747 per month	To qualify for Maryland Health Connection, you must be under age 65, a U.S. citizen, a qualified alien for five or more years and a resident of the state of Maryland, without access to any other form of insurance.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Income	$794	$1,191	Medical Assistance eligibility automatic.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Assets	$2,000	$3,000	Medical Assistance eligibility automatic.
Home and Community Based Options Waiver	Income	$2,382	Only the applicant's income is considered.	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.
Home and Community Based Options Waiver	Assets	$2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category	$2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category
Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP)	Income	$1,342	$1,815	Employment for low-income, age 55 and older through the Senior Community Service Employment Programs.
Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP)	Assets	No asset test	No asset test
Senior Care Program	Income	$3,121	$4,081	Case-managed, in-home services for age 65 and older. Must be at risk of admission to a nursing home.
Senior Care Program	Assets	$11,000	$14,000
Seniors in Need (Expo Fund)	Income	$1,878	$2,540	One-time-only and emergency assistance.
Seniors in Need (Expo Fund)	Assets	$7,000	$10,000	One-time-only and emergency assistance.
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy	Income	$3,121	$4,081	Provides financial assistance for a limited number of eligible assisted living group home residents age 62 and older. Will pay up to $1,000 toward cost of facility.
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy	Assets	$19,000	$25,000
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)	Income	$3,121	$4,081	Financial assistance for support services in selected senior housing sites through the Congregate Housing Services Program. Age 62 and older.
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)	Assets	$27,375	$35,587
Accessible Homes for Seniors	Income	$4,579	$5,233	A loan program with zero percent interest deferred for 30 years to finance accessibility improvements. Age 55 and older.
Accessible Homes for Seniors	Assets	No asset test	No asset test
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouse	Net worth (income and assets combined)	$130,773	$130,773	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.
Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID)	Income	Countable income up to $6,469	Countable income up to $8,707	The Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program extends Medical Assistance benefits to Marylanders age 18 to 64 with disabilities.
Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID)	Assets	Under $10,000	Under $15,000
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)	Income	$2,147 per month	$2,903 per month	Helps low-income households with the installation of energy conservation materials and major appliances.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)	Assets	No asset test	No asset test

*To apply for SNAP, Medical Assistance and Medicare benefits online, visit myDHR for applications for services, to monitor the status of cases, update important information and more.

Call Maryland Access Point (MAP) of Baltimore County at 410-887-2594 for additional information or to be screened for financial benefits.

2021 Federal Poverty Limit Guidelines

The federal government sets the Federal Poverty Limit each January.

One person: $1,063 per month ($12,760 per year)
Two people: $1,437 ($17,240 per year)
Three people: $1,810 per month ($21,720 per year)
Four people: $2,183 per month ($26,200 per year)

Medicare 2021

Learn more about Medicare benefits, enrollment criteria and eligibility for savings by using the following links that each open in a new window:

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: $130,380
Minimum Spousal Share: $26.076

Income for Community Spouse

Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $2,155
Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowance: $646.50
Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $3259.50

Information

For additional information on these programs or to be screened for financial benefits, call MAP of Baltimore County at 410-887-2594, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Revised July 15, 2021

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