SI NY01730.101 (New York) Medicaid Eligibility - General

The New York title XIX Medicaid program provides medical assistance to individuals who are "categorically needy" or "medically needy".

"Categorically needy" refers to individuals who receive cash assistance, i.e., Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or whose income and resources are below the standard to receive cash assistance.

"Medically needy" refers to an individual with income and/or resources too high to permit eligibility for cash assistance, but insufficient to meet medical expenses. Medically needy individuals may receive Medicaid during a month after they have incurred or "spent-down" a pre-determined level of "surplus income" in medically related expenses. Institutionalized individuals such as those in nursing homes may also be eligible under this program.