COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates and Guidance
The County is taking a number of actions to keep residents safe and minimize the spread of COVID-19. Find status information for County operations and services.
Benefits Roster 2020 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 | $2,024 per month | $2,744 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. |
Assets | No asset test | No asset test | ||
Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) Changed July 1 | Income
| $1,861 per month
| $2,515 per month
| Provides eligible low-income Marylanders assistance with home heating bills. |
Assets | No asset test | No asset test | ||
Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) Changed July 1 | Income | $1,861 per month | $2,515 per month | 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. |
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. |
Assets | $2,500 | $3,000 | ||
Medical Assistance for those without Medicare* | Income | Up to $17,244 per year | Up to $23,352 per year | |
Reduced Health Insurance Premiums for Qualified Plans through Maryland Health Connection | Income | $17,245 to 49,960 per year | $23,353 to 67,640 per year | 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 | $783 | $1,175 | Medical Assistance eligibility automatic. |
Assets | $2,000 | $3,000 | ||
Home and Community Based Options Waiver | Income | $2,349 | 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. |
Assets | $2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category | $2,000 or $2,500 depending on eligibility category | ||
Income | $1,329 | $1,796 | Employment for low-income, age 55 and older through the Senior Community Service Employment Programs. | |
Assets | No asset test | No asset test | ||
Income | $3,002 | $3,925 | Case-managed, in-home services for age 65 and older. Must be at risk of admission to a nursing home. | |
Assets | $11,000 | $14,000 | ||
Income | $1,861 | $2,515 | One-time-only and emergency assistance. | |
Assets | $7,000 | $10,000 | ||
Income | $3,002 | $3,925 | Provides financial assistance for a limited number of eligible Assisted Living Group Home residents age 62 and older. Will pay up to $650 toward cost of facility. | |
Assets | $19,000 | $25,000 | ||
Income | $3,002 | $3,925 | Financial assistance for support services in selected senior housing sites through the Congregate Housing Services Program. Age 62 and older. | |
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. |
Assets | No asset test | No asset test | ||
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit | Net worth (income and assets combined) | $127,061 | $127,061 | 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. |
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Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouse | Net worth (income and assets combined) | $127,061 | $127,061 | |
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Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID) | Income | Countable income up to $3,192 | Countable income up to $4,311 | The Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program extends Medical Assistance benefits to Marylanders age 18 to 64 with disabilities. |
Assets | Under $10,000 | Under $15,000 | ||
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) | Income | $2,127 per month | $2,873 per month | Helps low-income households with the installation of energy conservation materials and major appliances. |
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.
2019 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 2020
Learn more about Medicare benefits, enrollment criteria and eligibility for savings by using the following links that each open in a new window:
- Medicare 2020 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 $25,728 or half the assets, whichever is greater, but not more than $128,640. 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: $128,640
- Minimum Spousal Share: $25,728
Income for Community Spouse
The Basic Maintenance and Shelter Allowance is $2,113.75 per month. If shelter costs exceed $634.13, then the excess above that amount is added to $2,057.50, up to a cap of $3,216.
Utility Standards for Community Spouse
- Heat included in rent (SNAP Food Stamps and limited utility allowance): $257
- Heat paid separately from housing: $420
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.
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