In January 2014, the following Eligibility Standards Changes will occur:

1. Federal Benefit Rates (FBR):
     a. Individual FBR increased from $710 to $721.
     b. Couple FBR increased from $1,066 to $1082.
     c. 300% Individual FBR increased from $2,130 to $2,163.
     d. Child Allocation increased from $356 to $361.
     e. 15% of Individual FBR increased from $106.50 to $108.15.

2. Medicare Part B Premium will remain the same at $104.90

3. Medicare Part D Extra Help Subsidy for Arizona decreased from $29.41 to $27.49.

4. Community Spouse Standards:
     a. Minimum CSRD increased from $23,184 to $23,448.
     b. Maximum CSRD increased from $115,920 to $117,240.
     c. Maximum MMMNA increased from $2,898 to $2,931.

Each year there are several Eligibility Standards Changes in January, April, July and October. Keep checking back in those months to verify your eligibility is being calculated correctly.

We encourage you to make sure your eligibility worker at ALTCS is updating and changing your Share of Cost on time to prevent paying too much or too little to your program contractor, facility or service agency.