Vermont's Medicaid Eligibility Requirements

If you are in need of medical assistance in the state of Vermont, you can apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is a federally-funded program that provides assistance to help pay for doctors visits, hospital stays and medicines. To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet the guidelines established by the state and federal government. Failure to meet the guidelines may result in denial of a request for assistance.

Citizenship

• Applicants to the Vermont Medicaid program must meet citizenship requirements. To qualify for Medicaid in Vermont, you must be a resident of the state and a U.S. citizen. If you are considered to be a "qualified alien," you can also apply for the program. A qualified alien is a person who has lawfully resided in the United States for the past five years. A person with a green card or one who is seeking refuge in the United States is also qualified to apply for Medicaid in Vermont. A qualified alien also may be a person who is battered or a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe.

Income Requirements

• In Vermont an applicant to the Medicaid program must meet certain income requirements. Applicants cannot make more than a predetermined amount each month based on the number of people in the household. The amount of money a family is allowed to earn varies, depending on the Medicaid program and the area. The state considers wages and salary earned as an employee and independent contractor. After calculating your income, the state makes deductions for expenses such as daycare. Unearned income such as social security benefits and unemployment compensation are also taken into account.

Resources

• A family applying for Medicaid cannot possess more than the predetermined amount of resources. Resources are considered to be any asset that can be used to generate income. Examples of resources include stocks, bonds or a bank account. Resources do not include possessions such as a home. If you apply for Medicaid, you cannot possess more than $2,000 in resources. Couples are limited to $3,000 in resources. The resources of a pregnant woman are not considered when determining Medicaid eligibility.