In what must be hailed as an inspired move the Maryland Department of Health recently announced some groundbreaking changes to the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program.
At present any working Marylander who has a disability can become eligible for EID if her countable income is below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and her resources are under $10,000. If she’s married, then her spouse’s income is also included in the income calculation and between them they can only have $15,000 in countable resources.
However, as of July 1 this year those limits will no longer apply. At no part in the application process or beyond will there be any income eligibility threshold, while the current resource limit will only remain in place for anyone making an initial application. Even if someone then marries there won’t be any consideration of the spouse’s resources or income.
The only other caveat to the limitless incomes comes with the news that premium amounts will still be set based on how much the applicant and her spouse are earning.
The announcement also recorded that 401(k), 403(b), pension plans, and Keogh plans will remain uncounted resources.