Sec. 07.02.15.03. Eligibility

A. An adult is eligible for SSTA if the adult:

(1) Is a resident of Maryland. Temporary absence from the State may not interrupt continuity of residence.

(2) Is in need of the services. Need is:

(a) Established if the local department determines that the program’s services will help the adult to achieve the program’s purposes;

(b) Determined by the local department staff based on information provided by the adult and other appropriate sources which may include, but need not be limited to:

(i) The adult’s family or friends;

(ii) Medical or mental health providers familiar with the adult; or

(iii) Resources to whom the adult is referred for assessment or evaluation purposes.

(3) Has income that does not exceed 80 percent of the State Median Income based on individual family size as described in COMAR 07.02.04.08 and has liquid assets as described within this regulation. The following criteria apply:

(a) Eligibility criteria for information and referral services or crisis intervention services is provided without regard to income; and

(b) Eligibility for on-going case management services may exceed 80 percent of the State Median Income should the adult be assessed as requiring In-Home Aide Services or Adult Foster Care, except as provided in §C of this regulation, if the adult is eligible for placement in a CARE Home.

(4) Has liquid assets that do not exceed:

(a) $19,999 for one individual; and

(b) $3,000 more for each additional family member.

(5) Liquid assets include, but are not limited to:

(a) Checking accounts;

(b) Savings accounts;

(c) Certificates of deposit;

(d) Stocks;

(e) Bonds;

(f) Life insurance cash value in excess of $3,500 per person;

(g) Real estate or property that is not the client's primary residence;

(h) Individual retirement accounts which can be drawn on without penalty;

(i) Trust fund accounts;

(j) Annuity accounts;

(k) Income from lottery prize winnings; and

(l) Mutual fund accounts.

(6) Agrees to receive the service and agrees to pay any fee assessed for services at the time of the initial application or during the reconsideration period.

B. An adult is not eligible for SSTA if the adult, or the adult’s representative, does not agree to receive the services and/or participate fully in identifying and engaging needed resources.

C. An adult is not eligible for SSTA while receiving case management from the CARE program or any other case management service program.