2121 Widow(er) 1984 (Public Law 99-272)

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Medicaid Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Widow(er) 1984 (Public Law 99-272)

Effective Date:

February 2020

Chapter:

2100

Policy Number:

2121

Previous MT Number(s):

MT 10

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-58

​Requirements

Widow(er) 1984 (PL 99-272) is a class of assistance (COA) for an individual who received RSDI and SSI concurrently and became ineligible for SSI due to an adjustment in his/her RSDI disabled widow(er)'s benefit effective 1/84.

​Basic Considerations

Do NOT determine initial ABD Medicaid eligibility under the Widow(er) 1984 COA on any application filed on or after 7/1/88. Complete annual reviews for continued eligibility on established cases as for any other COA.

To be eligible under the Widow(er) 1984 COA the A/R must meet the following conditions:

  • The A/R received RSDI and SSI in 12/83.

  • The A/R became entitled to and received an adjustment in his/her RSDI disabled widow(er)'s benefit effective 1/84 that caused SSI termination in the month the increased benefit was actually received.

  • The A/R was continuously entitled to the increased RSDI benefit from 1/84 until the increase was actually received.

  • The A/R is eligible for SSI if the 1/84 increase in the RSDI disabled widow(er) benefit and any subsequent COLAs are disregarded.

  • The A/R meets all basic and financial eligibility criteria.

Length of Stay (LOS) and Level of Care (LOC) are NOT requirements for this COA.
Applications are no longer approved under this COA.

​Procedures

Complete an annual review of eligibility for individuals currently eligible under the Widower 1984 COA. Refer to Section 2705, Reviews.

Use the following guidelines for completing the review:

Step 1

Obtain verification from the SSA to verify the following:

  • The A/R’s receipt of RSDI and SSI in 12/83.

  • The A/R’s receipt of an increased RSDI disabled widow(er)'s benefit effective 1/84.

  • The A/R’s ineligibility for SSI the month increased benefit was actually received.

  • The A/R’s continuous receipt of an RSDI disabled widow(er)'s benefit.

  • The current amount of the RSDI widow(er)'s benefit and all subsequent COLAs.
Step 2

Determine financial eligibility using the current SSI income and resource limits. Refer to Chapter 2500, ABD Financial Responsibility and Budgeting, to determine the following

  • Whose income and resources to consider.

  • Which SSI income and resource limit (individual or couple) to use.

  • Which eligibility budget to complete.
Step 3

Determine the A/R’s countable income by disregarding the following amounts of RSDI income:

  • The 1/84 increase in the RSDI disabled widow(er)'s benefit.

  • All subsequent COLAs.

    The RSDI claim number will end with a beneficiary identification code (BIC) that includes “W” if the A/R receives RSDI as a disabled widow(er)/disabled surviving divorced spouse.
Do NOT approve Medicaid using the Widow(er) 1984 COA for any month for which the A/R was eligible for and received a SSI payment.