TITLE social-services-and-assistance

Part I. Texas Department of Human Services

Chapter 2. Medically Needy Program

Subchapter A. Program Requirements

40 TAC §2.1006, §2.1010

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §2.1006 and §2.1010, concerning requirements for application and determining income eligibility, in its Medically Needy Program chapter. Also in this issue of the Texas Register , DHS is adopting similar policies in Chapter 4, Medicaid Programs--Children and Pregnant Women.

The justification for the amendments is to comply with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, effective September 30, 1996.

The amendments will function by ensuring that DHS is in compliance with federal requirements.

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer medical assistance programs, and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds. The amendments are adopted in compliance with federal requirements effective September 30, 1996.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§32.001-32.042.

§2.1006.Requirements for Application.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

Resources. Resource limits and types of countable and exempt resources for MNP are the same as those outlined in the Texas Department of Human Services' TANF rules in Chapter 3 of this title (relating to Income Assistance Services) with the following exceptions:

(1)-(2)

(No change.)

(3)

an alien sponsor's (and spouse's) resources are only counted for applicants admitted into the United States on or after December 19, 1997.

(c)-(g)

(No change.)

§2.1010.Determining Income Eligibility.

Income eligibility is determined using the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements outlined in the TANF rules with the following exceptions:

(1)

the types of countable and exempt income are the same as those outlined in the TANF rules except TANF payments are countable income for the Medically Needy program (MNP).

(2)

the medically needy needs allowance standard, which is 133 1/3% of the highest TANF payment standard, is used to determine eligibility.

(3)

the TANF earned income disregard is not allowed as a deduction for MNP.

(4)

(No change.)

(5)

lump sum payments that meet the TANF definition of unearned income are counted as income in the first month that the change can be effective.

(6)-(7)

(No change.)

(8)

alien sponsor's (and spouse's) income is only counted for applicants admitted into the United States on or after December 19, 1997.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 23, 1999.

TRD-9902412

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: September 30, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765


Chapter 4. Medicaid Programs--Children and Pregnant Women

Subchapter A. Eligibility Requirements

40 TAC §4.1006, §4.1010

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §4.1006 and §4.1010, concerning requirements for application and determining income eligibility, in its Medicaid Programs--Children and Pregnant Women chapter. Also in this issue of the Texas Register , DHS is adopting similar policies in Chapter 2, Medically Needy Program.

The justification for the amendments is to comply with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, effective September 30, 1996.

The amendments will function by ensuring that DHS is in compliance with federal requirements.

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer medical assistance programs, and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds. The amendments are adopted in compliance with federal requirements effective September 30, 1996.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§32.001-32.042.

§4.1006.Requirements for Application.

To be eligible for the Medicaid Programs for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) Program, clients must meet the following requirements.

(1)

Citizenship. Citizenship requirements for CPW applicants are the same as requirements for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applicants outlined in DHS's TANF rules in Chapter 3 of this title (relating to Income Assistance Services).

(2)

Resources. Resource limits and types of countable and exempt resources for CPW are the same as those outlined in DHS's TANF rules, with the following exceptions:

(A)

(No change.)

(B)

The food stamp resource policy for households with no members 60 or over is applied when determining eligibility for children under six and children six or older born on or after October 1, 1983. Exception: DHS follows the TANF resource policy for loans.

(C)-(D)

(No change.)

(E)

The TANF and Food Stamp policy for transferring resources to qualify for assistance does not apply to the CPW program.

(F)

An alien sponsor's (and spouse's) resources are only counted for applicants admitted into the United States on or after December 19, 1997.

(3)

Age and relationship. Eligible children must meet the age and relationship requirements outlined in the TANF rules with the following exceptions:

(A)-(B)

(No change.)

(C)

Children in two-parent families must meet the TANF relationship requirements to be eligible.

(D)-(E)

(No change.)

(4)

(No change.)

(5)

School attendance. Eligible children must meet the school attendance requirements outlined in the TANF rules.

(6)

Social security number. Eligible members of the budget group must meet the social security number requirement outlined in the TANF rules. Ineligible members are requested to provide social security numbers, but they are not required to provide their numbers.

(7)

(No change.)

(8)

Third-party resources. Eligible members of the budget group must cooperate in third- party resources activities outlined in the TANF rules.

(9)

Strikers. The TANF striker policy applies to children described in §4.1004(5) of this title (relating to Eligible Groups). The policy does not apply to persons described in §4.1004(1)-(4).

§4.1010.Determining Income Eligibility.

Income eligibility is determined using the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements outlined in the TANF rules with the following exceptions:

(1)-(8)

(No change.)

(9)

Ongoing eligibility for pregnant women is not denied because of increased income;

(10)

The 185% income test is not applied to type programs 46 and 47; and

(11)

Alien sponsor's (and spouse's) income is only counted for applicants admitted into the United States on or after December 19, 1997.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 23, 1999.

TRD-9902413

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: September 30, 1996

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3765