Medical Assistance for Low-Income Families

Income Guidelines

Family Size:  Eligibility for Low Income Families (LIF) requires that a dependent child and a caretaker relative be present in the home. When determining family size, include the parent(s), stepparent, or caretaker relative living in the home with the dependent child and any blood related brothers and sisters living in the home who also meet the definition of a dependant child.  Stepbrother(s) and/or stepsister(s) of the dependent child are excluded from this requirement; however, the caretaker relative may opt to include them.  If a step sibling is included, any of his/her brothers and sisters living in the home who are eligible for LIF must also be included.

Step 1: Begin with the monthly gross income (income before deductions) from employment/self-employment of household members.

Step 2: Add gross monthly income from non-employment (i.e., child support, Social Security, BIA General Assistance) of all household members for whom medical assistance is being requested.

Step 3: Subtract the following income deductions:

• $50 of child support received
• Any court-ordered child support a parent/stepparent living in the household pays to another household monthly

Step 4: The amount remaining is the adjusted income. Compare the adjusted income to the chart below. If the household’s adjusted income is at or below the amount for the family size, the family may be eligible for medical assistance.

WORKSHEET:

Compare your adjusted income from Step 4 to the chart below:

NOTES:

• Resources are limited to $2,000 not including the family’s home, personal effects, one household vehicle regardless of value, other vehicles valued under $4,650 used for work/school, and vehicles used as a family home, to transport a disabled household member(s) or in self-employment.  Resources include Cash, Checking, Savings, Credit Union, Stocks, Bonds, Certificates of Deposit, Life Insurance, Trust Funds, Individual Indian Monies (IIM), Money Market Funds, Deferred Compensation Plan, Burial Funds, Contracts for Deed, IRAs, 401K, Keogh plan, and other items of value.

• Do not count earnings of a child in grade school/high school.
• Do not count TANF as income.
• Do not include anyone receiving SSI in the assistance unit and do not use SSI recipient's income.
• A fifth paycheck of the month, if paid weekly, or a third paycheck, if paid every other week, is NOT counted.