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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)*	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.
Medical Assistance for those on Medicare*	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.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)	Assets	$2,000	$3,000	Medical Assistance eligibility automatic.
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.
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	$1,329	$1,796	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	$3,002	$3,925	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	$1,861	$2,515	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	$3,002	$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.
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy	Assets	$19,000	$25,000
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)	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.
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	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.
Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouse	Net worth (income and assets combined)	$127,061	$127,061
Aid and Attendance for Surviving Spouse
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.
Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID)	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.
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.

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:

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.

Revised October 2, 2020

A new website for Baltimore County

We're working to provide you with a better experience, and want your feedback. Learn more about our project and give your feedback.