S.C. Code Regs. § § 126-520

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 126-520 - Financial Eligibility Requirements

The following elements are considered in determining eligibility for assistance through the MIAP.

A. Family Composition. For details, refer to the definition of family at 126-500(D). If the applicant is a minor child, his stepparent is considered a member of the family only if the stepparent claims the child as an income tax dependent. If the applicant is an adult, his parents or siblings who reside in the household are considered in the family only if one claims the other as an income tax dependent. The income and resources of all members of the applicant's family must be considered in computing the income.

B. Financial responsibilities of relatives. Spouses are responsible for spouses and parents are responsible for minor children. Stepparents are responsible for stepchildren only if the stepchildren meet the federal definition of "dependent" for income tax purposes.

C. Income Levels. Only those individuals whose gross family income is equal to or less than one hundred percent of the poverty guidelines may qualify for full sponsorship through the MIAP. Only those individual whose gross family income is between one hundred and two hundred percent of the poverty guidelines may qualify for partial sponsorship through the MIAP.

D. Computation of income. The gross annual income of the individual and his family is measured against the annual poverty guidelines for the appropriate size family. Gross annual income is determined in accordance with the guidelines found in the MIAP Manual.

E. Ownership of Resources. Resources must be within the limitations described below:

1. Home property. Home property is the applicant's principal place of residence. It includes the home and all contiguous property. The value of a farm of less than fifty (50) acres on which an individual or his family resides and has resided for at least twenty-five (25) years shall be totally excluded from the resources computation. The equity value of home property other than a family farm as defined above shall not exceed $35,000.00. A mobile home may be considered home property if it is the individual's principal place of residence.

2. Non-home real property and taxable personal property. The individual's or family's total equity interest in non-home real property and taxable personal property such as motor vehicles shall not exceed $6,000.00.

3. Liquid assets. The individual's or family's total liquid assets must be equal to or less than $500.00.

An individual with excess liquid assets may establish eligibility if he and other members of his family spend the excess toward the payment of valid debts as defined in the MIAP Manual.

4. Household effects. Household effects such as furniture, kitchen utensils, etc., are not considered in the resource computation.

F. Transfer of Resources. An individual or his family who transferred resources without receiving full compensation within three (3) months prior of the period of hospitalization for which his application for assistance through the MIAP is made shall not be eligible. Such individual and his family will continue to be ineligible for one year from the date of transfer or until he establishes that full compensation has been received, whichever is earlier.

S.C. Code Regs. § 126-520