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Program financial guidelines for certain MassHealth applicants and members

Figures used to determine eligibility

MassHealth eligibility is determined using factors, such as income, assets, residency, and household composition. The full list of factors can be found in the MassHealth Member Regulations.

The following figures are used to determine eligibility for certain MassHealth applicants and members aged 65 and older or those of any age who are in or are entering a long-term-care facility and their spouses who reside in the community.

Table of Contents

2023 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines

2023 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines

Additional Resources

Eligibility Figures for Residents of a Long-Term-Care Facility

The figures in this table are used in determining eligibility for a MassHealth member who lives in a long-term-care facility. 

All figures are effective January 1, unless otherwise noted. 

Figure Type 2023 2022 2021 2020
Personal needs allowance (PNA)/ LTC income standard $72.80 $72.80 $72.80 $72.80
Maximum home equity limits $1,033,000 $955,000 $906,000 $893,000
Community spouse minimum resource (assets) standard $29,724 $27,480 $26,076 $25,728
Community spouse maximum resource (assets) standard $148,620 $137,400 $130,380 $128,640
Average daily cost of nursing facility services $433.00
(eff. 11/01/23)


$427.00
(before 11/01/23)
$427.00
(eff. 11/01/22)

$410.00
(before 11/01/22)
$410.00
(eff. 12/01/21)

$391.00
(before 12/01/21)
$391.00
(eff. 11/01/20)

$367.21
(before 11/01/20)

Eligibility Figures for Community Residents Age 65 or Older

The figures in this table are used in determining eligibility for a MassHealth member age 65 or older who lives in the community.

All figures are effective January 1, unless otherwise noted. 

Figure Type 2023 2022 2021 2020
Asset limit        
Individual $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000
Couple $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000
Buy-in asset limit        
Individual $18,180 $16,800 $15,940 $15,720
Couple $27,260 $25,200 $23,920 $23,600
Federal benefit rate (300%) $2,742 $2,523 $2,382 $2,349
Medicare Part B premium (per month) $164.90 $170.10 $148.50 $144.60

Figures Used to Determine Minimum-Monthly-Maintenance-Needs Allowance (MMMNA)

The figures in this table are used to determine the minimum-monthly-maintenance-needs allowance (MMMNA) for the community spouse of a MassHealth member who lives in a long-term-care facility.  

Figure Type 2023 2022 2021 2020
Maximum MMMNA $3,715.50
(eff. 01/01/23)
$3,435.00
(eff. 01/01/22)
$3,259.50
(eff. 01/01/21)
$3,216.00
(eff. 01/01/20)
Minimum MMMNA $2,465.00
(eff. 07/01/23)

$2,288.75
(before 07/01/23)
$2,288.75
(eff. 07/01/22)

$2,177.50
(before 07/01/22)
$2,177.50
(eff. 07/01/21)

$2,155.00
(before 07/01/21)
$2,155.00
(eff. 07/01/20)

$2,113.75
(before 07/01/20)
Standard shelter expense $739.50
(eff. 07/01/23)

$686.63
(before 07/01/23)
$686.63
(eff. 07/01/22)

$653.25
(before 07/01/22)
$653.25
(eff. 07/01/21)

$646.50
(before 07/01/21)
$646.50
(eff. 07/01/20)

$634.13
(before 07/01/20)
SNAP utility expense
Heat expense
$852.00
(eff. 10/01/23)


$860.00
(before 10/01/23)
$860.00
(eff. 10/01/22)

$688.00
(before 10/01/22)
$688.00
(eff. 10/01/21)

$646.00
(before 10/01/21)
$646.00
(eff. 10/01/19)

$643.00
(before 10/01/19)
SNAP utility expense
No heat expense
$520.00
(eff. 10/01/23)

$525.00
(before 10/01/23)
$525.00
(eff. 10/01/22)

$421.00
(before 10/01/22)
$421.00
(eff. 10/01/21)

$396.00
(before 10/01/21)
$396.00
(eff. 10/01/19)

$396.00
(before 10/01/19)

Massachusetts Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Standards Effective January 1, 2023

Living Arrangement Category

Population Type A
Full Cost of Living Expenses
B
Shared Living Expenses
C
Household of Another
E
Licensed Rest Home
G
Assisted Living
Individual          

Aged

$969.82 $880.26 $665.03 $1,134.00 $1,295.00

Disabled

$955.39 $871.40 $648.25 $1,134.00 $1,295.00
Blind $990.74 $990.74 $990.74 $1,134.00 $1,295.00

 

Population Type A
Full Cost of Living Expenses
B
Shared Living Expenses
C
Household of Another
E
Licensed Rest Home
G
Assisted Living
Member of a Couple          

Aged

$731.36 $731.36 $528.24 $1,134.00 $971.00

Disabled

$720.53 $720.53 $517.43 $1,134.00 $971.00
Blind $990.74 $990.74 $990.74 $1,134.00 $971.00

 

Note: The 2023 SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) for an individual is $914.00.

Note: The personal needs allowance in licensed rest homes, nursing facilities, and chronic-disease hospitals is $72.80.

 

Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Historic cost-of-living adjustments to the RSDI rates may be found at www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/SSIamts.html.

Date published: September 29, 2023

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