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Does Unemployment Count as Income for Medicaid in Ohio?

Medicaid is federally-funded health care coverage offered to residents who cannot afford private insurance. In Ohio, Medicaid is available through several different programs to assist families and individuals. Healthy Start and Healthy Families provide care for low-income pregnant women, children and parents with children in the household. Program are also available to assist elderly or disabled adults. If you receive unemployment benefits it is important to understand how that will affect Medicaid eligibility.

  1. Sources of Income

    • All sources of income are used to determine Medicaid eligibility. Unemployment compensation is classified as unearned income; any income that is not earned through employment is unearned income. In addition to unemployment benefits, child support, alimony and interest received from bank accounts are considered sources of unearned income. You are required to provide proof of income for all household members when the application is submitted.

    Income Limits

    • Each eligibility group must meet the income guidelines. Under the Healthy Start and Healthy Families program, pregnant women, infants and children up to age 19 are allowed a household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Parents applying for benefits are limited to 90 percent. As of 2009, a household of three applying for Medicaid to cover children is allowed to have a monthly income of $3,052. If the parents want coverage, the income cannot exceed $1,374 for a household of three.

    Unemployment Compensation

    • The amount of unemployment compensation a person receives will depend on the applicant's average wage earnings during the base period. A base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the claim. For example, if you file a claim between January 2, 2011 and April 2, 2011, the base period is October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010. The weekly benefit amount is approximately 50 percent of the average weekly wage during the base period, but cannot exceed the state's maximum payment. If the applicant has one or two dependents and average weekly earnings of $940 or more, the maximum benefit amount each week is $470.

    Applying for Medicaid

    • Along with meeting the income requirements, you must also be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant residing in Ohio. You will need to supply proof of identity and citizenship, such as a Social Security card, driver's license or birth certificate. You can apply for Medicaid coverage by visiting the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services website or the local office. If you need help with the application, or locating an office near you, call 800-324-8680 for more information.

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