Maine Revised Statutes Title 22. Health and Welfare § 3174-H. Availability of income between married couples in determination of eligibility

1. Court order. A court order allocating marital income pursuant to alimony, spousal support, equitable division of marital property or disposition of marital property;

2. Individual ownership. The establishing of sole individual ownership of income from current active employment; or

3. Supplementary allocation of spousal income. By applying to the Department of Health and Human Services for a supplementary allocation of spousal income pursuant to this section.

The Department of Health and Human Services shall establish standards for the reasonable and adequate support of the community spouse and the community residence of the couple. The standards shall consider the cost of housing payments, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, food, medical expenses, transportation, other personal necessities and the presence of other dependent persons in the home.

The community spouse may apply to the Department of Health and Human Services for a determination pursuant to the standards that the community spouse requires a larger portion of the marital income. Therefore, a smaller portion of the marital income will be available to the applicant spouse in determining medical indigency and eligibility for assistance.

As soon as authorized by federal law, the department shall implement this section.