Category: 2024

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: JANUARY 2025 COLA ADJUSTMENT OF SSA/SSI/VA/RR INCOME FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS EXCEPT MAGI MO HEALTHNET

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
APPENDIX J
APPENDIX K

DISCUSSION:

In January 2025, all Social Security Administration (SSA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Administration (VA), and Railroad Retirement (RR) participants will receive a 2.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

The weekend of December 14, 2024, a mass adjustment will be completed in the eligibility system for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA), and Non-MAGI MO HealthNet cases. Income increases for SSA, SSI, VA, and/or RR and other adjustments will be completed. Medicare Premium amounts and federal eligibility standards will also be updated.

Note: The 2025 COLA will have the following effect on SNAP cases:

• Increase in SNAP benefit reductions for January 2025.
• Increase in SNAP closures for December 2024.

SSI Increases

Non-MAGI Standards Adjustments

Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) Premium Adjustment

The standard SMI, commonly known as Medicare Part B, premium will increase for 2025 to $185.00. Premiums for Medicare participants who pay less than the standard premium amount will not have an increase of more than the amount of the increase in Social Security benefit the individual received.

Additional Non-MAGI Program Increases

Resource Limits for Medicare Savings Programs (QMB/SLMB/QI-1)

For a single individual, the resource limit increases to $9,660. For a married couple, the resource limit increases to $14,470. There is no change in policy regarding how to determine available resources.

Minimum and Maximum Spousal Share

The 2025 minimum spousal share is $31,584. The new maximum spousal share is $157,920. Both amounts become effective for any Division of Assets completed on or after January 1, 2025.

Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)

The SGA monthly amounts increase and are as follows:

• $2,700 for statutorily blind individuals
• $1,620 for non-blind individuals

Appendices Updates

The following appendices were updated to show the new amounts:

• MO HealthNet for Aged, Blind, and Disabled Manual
  • Appendix B – Maintenance Standards for Allotments
  • Appendix E – HCB Income Maximums
  • Appendix J – Eligibility Standards for Non-MAGI Programs
  • Appendix K – MO HealthNet eligibility for Non-MAGI Programs

Note: Appendix J and Appendix K were updated to reference Resource Limits, instead of Asset Limits. Appendix K was updated to correct the Blind Pension and Supplemental Aid to the Blind grant amount to $828, as it was increased in 7/2024.

• December 1973 Eligibility Requirements Manual
  • Appendix D – Substantial Gainful Activity

Adjustments by Program and Mass Adjustment Process

All programs will be adjusted according to program. Review FAMIS Resources for further information about the mass adjustment process.

Senate Bill 577 (2007) authorized the disregard for Social Security COLA increases for certain MO HealthNet (MHN) programs with income eligibility based on federal poverty level (FPL) until the next FPL adjustment in April. All SSA, SSI, VA, and RR income sources will be updated with the new income amount and verification code “CO” for COLA adjustment.

Note: For budget months prior to January 2025, do not use the “CO” – COLA verification code.

Reports with Actions Needed

Reports with action needed will be distributed to the SNAP, TA, and MHN Program Managers for assignment. Follow the instructions in FAMIS Resources on how to process each type of report.

Request for Hearing/Continued Benefits

When a fair hearing is requested, follow current fair hearing request procedures.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Search “COLA” or “Adjustment” in FAMIS Resources for processing guidance.
• State Office will provide the SSA/SSI/VA/RR Needing Review report to designated staff.
• Allow MHN Policy for “CO” income verification to disregard SSA and SSI COLA Adjustments until the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Adjustment in April.

KE/cj

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CLARIFICATION OF MAGI ZERO INCOME POLICY RELATED TO QUARTERLY INCOME ON IMES

MANUAL REVISION #
1805.030.05

DISCUSSION:

The Zero Income section of 1805.030.05 Income Evidence has been updated to clarify:

• Use reasonable compatibility to determine if the participant’s statement of zero income and the Electronically Obtained Income (EOI) result in eligibility in the same threshold.
• Quarterly wage information from IMES may not be current enough to cause a participant’s statement of zero income to be questionable.

Remember that the goal is to use Electronically Obtained Information (EOI) to confirm the participant’s stated income. Only send a request for information after all other options have been exhausted.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rc