AA Gifts and Contributions

 

 

Revised 06/29/2021

Policy

Money received as a gift or as a contribution from a person or agency may be counted depending on MA program and the reason for the gift or contribution. Money from crowdfunding is considered a gift or contribution (see Crowdfunding for examples).

How cash gifts and contributions are treated depends on the following:

If the money is...

And the program is...

Then the income is...

A gift, and not intended for the person’s education expenses.

·        ALTCS

·        SSI-MAO

·        MSP

Counted as unearned income.

·        Adult

·        Caretaker Relative

·        Pregnant Woman

·        Child

·        KidsCare

Excluded.

Received as a result of another person’s death

All programs

An inheritance.  See MA606.HH for how it is counted.

A gift intended to pay for the person’s education expenses

All programs

Educational assistance.  See MA606.U for how it is counted.

A contribution from an agency to cover living expenses like food, shelter and personal items

·        ALTCS

·        SSI-MAO

·        MSP

Counted as unearned income.

·        Adult

·        Caretaker Relative

·        Pregnant Woman

·        Child

·        KidsCare

Excluded.

Received as a result of panhandling or begging

All programs

Counted as unearned income

 

Definitions

Term

Definition

Gift

Something a person receives which:

·        Is not payment for goods and services provided by the person; and

·        Is not paid because of a debt owed to the person. 

Contributions

Contributions are money received to cover expenses such as:

·        Food;

·        Rent or mortgage payments;

·        Utilities;

·        Household;

·        Public transportation;

·        Clothing; and

·        Personal care items like soap and toothpaste.

Panhandling

When a person stays in a public place and asks for free money from others including:

·        Begging

·        Asking for money using signs

 

Proof

Income is first obtained through the Federal and State Data Services Hubs.  If needed, other proof includes:

·        Written statement from the individual or agency providing the money;

·        Telephone contact with the person or agency providing the money.

 

Legal Authority

This requirement applies to the following programs:

Program

Legal Authorities

ALTCS

SSI-MAO

Medicare Savings Program

42 USC 1382a(b)(22)

20 CFR 416.1121(g)

 

Adult

Caretaker Relative

Pregnant Woman

Child

KidsCare

26 USC 102

26 CFR 1.102-1

42 CFR 435.603

42 CFR 457.10, 300, 301 and 315