A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE Department of Health and Human Services TO APPLY FOR A MEDICAID WAIVER TO DISCOUNT INCOME EARNED UNDER FEDERAL PROGRAMS FOR PURPOSES OF DETERMINING mEDICAID ELIGIBILITY.
Whereas, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) was authorized by Congress in Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide subsidized, part‑time, community service work based on training for low‑income persons age 55 or older who have poor employment prospects; and
Whereas, federal guidelines require that income earned from SCSEP must be counted in determining eligibility for Medicaid; and
Whereas, some senior citizens of North Carolina are or have become ineligible for Medicaid because income they earn through the SCSEP is counted when determining Medicaid eligibility; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, shall apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver from the application of federal disability guidelines in order to allow discounting of income earned under the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) when determining eligibility for the State Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid).
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.