Accessing Home and Community-Based Services When Income Appears Too High - A Factsheet for Professionals

Accessing Home and Community-Based Services When Income Appears Too High A Factsheet for Professionals People whose income is over the monthly income limit for the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver, OBRA Waiver, or the LIFE Program may be eligible for a Waiver or LIFE program using a Qualified Pooled Income Trust. [...] If the applicant’s income is above the program income limit, each month they deposit this “excess” income into a “pooled income trust.” People age 65 or older can only set up this kind of trust if their income is no more than $500 above the program income limit. [...] The nonprofit trustee will use the money to pay the individual’s monthly medical or care expenses that are equal to the amount their income is over the Waiver limit. [...] For example, the trust can: • Pay an aide directly to provide home care until the amount the individual puts in the trust is spent each month. [...] After the individual’s death, the money will be used to repay the state for the cost of certain LIFE Program services that were received.