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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

2024 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines

2024 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 Types 2024 2023 2022 2021
Personal needs allowance (PNA)/ LTC income standard $72.80 $72.80 $72.80 $72.80
Maximum home equity limits $1,071,000 $1,033,000 $955,000 $906,000
Community spouse minimum resource (assets) standard $30,828 $29,724 $27,480 $26,076
Community spouse maximum resource (assets) standard $154,140 $148,620 $137,400 $130,380
Average daily cost of nursing facility services

$433
(eff. 11/01/23)

$427
(before 11/01/23)

$427
(eff. 11/01/22)

$410
(before 11/01/22)

$427
(eff. 11/01/22)

$410
(before 11/01/22)

$410
(eff. 12/01/21)

$391
(before 12/01/21)

Eligibility Figures for Community Residents Age 65 or Older

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

All figures are effective January 1, unless otherwise noted. 

Living Arrangement Category: Individual

Figure Type 2024 2023 2022 2021
MassHealth asset limit $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)

asset limit

Individual

Eff. 3/1/2024, there is no asset limit for MSPs.

From 1/1/2024 to 3/1/2024:

$18,860.00
$18,180 $16,800 $15,940
Federal benefit rate (300%) $2,829.00 $2,742 $2,523 $2,382
Medicare Part B premium (per month) $174.70 $164.90 $170.10 $148.50

Living Arrangement Category: Member of a Couple

Figure Type 2024 2023 2022 2021
MassHealth asset limit $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)

asset limit

Couple

Eff. 3/1/2024, there is no asset limit for MSPs.

From 1/1/2024 to 3/1/2024:

$28,260.00
$27,260 $25,200 $23,920
Federal benefit rate (300%) $2,829.00 $2,742 $2,523 $2,382
Medicare Part B premium (per month) $174.70 $164.90 $170.10 $148.50

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 2024 2023 2022 2021
Maximum MMMNA $3,853.50
(eff. 01/01/24)
$3,715.50
(eff. 01/01/23)
$3,435.00
(eff. 01/01/22)
$3,259.50
(eff. 01/01/21)
Minimum MMMNA

$2,465.00
(eff. 07/01/23)

$2,288.75
(before 07/01/23)
$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)
Standard shelter expense

$739.50
(eff. 07/01/23)

$686.63
(before 07/01/23)
$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)
SNAP utility expense
Heat expense
$852.00
(eff. 10/01/23)

$860.00
(before 10/01/23)
$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)
SNAP utility expense
No heat expense
$520.00
(eff. 10/01/23)

$525.00
(before 10/01/23)
$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)

Massachusetts Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Standards Effective January 1, 2024

Living Arrangement Category: Individual

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

Aged

$1,071.82 $982.26 $733.03 $1,236.00 $1,397.00

Disabled

$1,057.39 $973.40 $716.25 $1,236.00 $1,397.00
Blind $1,092.74 $1,092.74 $1,092.74 $1,236.00 $1,397.00

Living Arrangement Category: Member of a Couple

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

Aged

$808.36 $808.36 $579.57 $1,236.00 $1,048.00

Disabled

$797.53 $797.53 $568.76 $1,236.00 $1,048.00
Blind $1,092.74 $1,092.74 $1,092.74 $1,236.00 $1,048.00

 

Note: The 2024 SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) for an individual is $2,829.

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
Last updated: January 4, 2024

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