(a) In determining the eligibility of a married individual pursuant to Section 14005.4 or 14005.7, who resides in a nursing facility, and who is in a Medi-Cal family budget unit separate from that of his or her spouse, the community property interest of the noninstitutionalized spouse in the income of the married individual shall not be considered income available to that individual.
(b) For purposes of this section, there shall be a presumption, rebuttable by either spouse, that each spouse has a community property interest in one-half of the total monthly income of both spouses.
(c) (1) This section shall not become operative unless Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is amended to authorize the consideration of state community property laws in determining eligibility or the federal government authorizes the state to apply community property laws in that determination.
(2) The department shall report to the appropriate committees of the Legislature upon the occurrence of the amendment of federal law or the receipt of federal approval, as specified in paragraph (1).
(Amended (as amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1430) by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1329, Sec. 7.5. Effective September 26, 1990. Section conditionally operative by its own provisions.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018