Disability advocates ask Senate for $20,000 unearned-income disregard to preserve Ohio WorkAbility benefits

Two witnesses told the Senate Medicaid Committee that people who rely on Ohio WorkAbility and the Medicaid Buy-In for Working People with Disabilities (MBIWD) will be pushed off affordable in-home nursing services when Social Security benefits rise at full retirement age unless the General Assembly approves a $20,000 unearned-income disregard.

"Ohio WorkAbility already has a $20,000 earned income disregard, but we are striving to see a $20,000 unearned income disregard," said a witness who identified herself as Connie and who has relied on MBIWD to receive in-home nursing since February 2014. She testified that upon reaching full retirement age in May next year her Social Security increase would make her ineligible for Ohio WorkAbility and that switching to a special-income-level waiver would increase her monthly cost-share for nursing to about $3,480 — an amount she says would leave insufficient funds for rent and other necessities.

Christine Brown, who testified earlier, told senators that currently rules treat earned and unearned income differently and that changes in federal law under the Social Security Fairness Act will affect some retirees. Brown said a $20,000 unearned-income disregard would prevent people who have spent careers in public service from being forced into institutional care.

Witnesses noted that more than a dozen other states have applied waiver approaches to protect beneficiaries in similar circumstances. Senators said they would follow up with the chair and Department of Medicaid staff to understand whether the issue is state or federal and what mechanisms would be required.

Advocates framed the request as preserving independence and employment for people with disabilities while maintaining access to medically necessary in-home nursing; the committee did not take immediate action.