• Employability Assessment Form (PA 1663); or
• Health Sustaining Medication Assessment Form (PA 1671)
Because the disability standard is complicated, you should not try to predict whether your health
condition(s) will meet the standard. If you have a long-lasting or chronic health condition, e.g.
diabetes or a heart condition, and you meet the other requirements, you should apply for MAWD.
What is MAWD’s income limit?
When you apply for MAWD, you must report and verify your income and your spouse’s income. The
income limit to qualify depends on your household size:
Household Size 250% FPL in 2019 (a month)
1 $2,603
2 $3,523
For MAWD purposes, your household size will either be 1 (if you are not married), or 2 (if you are
married.) Children never count in the MAWD household size.
1
Not all your household income will count against the monthly limit. For any “unearned” income (e.g.
SSDI) the County Assistance Office, in reviewing your application, applies an unearned income
deduction
2
which means they do not count the first $20 of unearned income in a month. For any
earned income (i.e. from work), the CAO applies the earned income deductions
3
and:
does not count the first $65, and
does not count half of the remainder; and
deducts any impairment-related work expenses, or transportation costs.
If you have no unearned income, the CAO must apply the $20 deduction to your earned income. If
you have less than $20 in unearned income, the CAO must apply the $20 deduction to unearned
income first (leaving you with $0 unearned income), then they must apply the remainder of the $20
deduction to your earned income.
Example - MAWD Income Calculation: Brad receives $1,100 a month from SSDI
and makes $20 a month babysitting. His wife Angelina makes $2,065 (gross) a month
from work. Applying the earned income disregard, only $1,000 of Angelina’s income
counts ($2,065 - $65 = $2,000 ÷ 2 = $1,000) and none of Brad’s work income counts
1
See MA Handbook Chapter 360, Appendix A, MAWD Income & Resource Limits
2
See MA Handbook Chapter 360.31, Earned Income Deductions—SSI-Related.
3
See MA Handbook Chapter 360.32, Unearned Income Deductions—SSI-Related.