(1) Applications for tailored supports for older adults (TSOA) are submitted:

(a) Online at Washington Connection at www.washingtonconnection.org;

(b) By sending a completed HCA ((18-008))18-005 application for TSOA form to P.O. Box 45826, Olympia, WA 98605;

(c) By faxing a completed HCA ((18-008))18-005 application for TSOA form to 1-855-635-8305;

(d) By contacting the local area agency on aging (AAA) office at 1-855-567-0252; or

(e) By contacting the local home and community services (HCS) office. To find the local HCS office, see ((www.altsa.dshs.wa.gov/Resources/clickmap.htm))https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ALTSA/resources.

(2) Help filing an application:

(a) The medicaid agency or the agency's designee provides help with the application or renewal process in a manner that is accessible to people with disabilities, limitations, or other impairments as described in WAC 182-503-0120 and to those who are limited-English proficient as described in WAC 182-503-0110;

(b) For help filing an application, a person may:

(i) Contact a local AAA office;

(ii) Contact a local HCS office; or

(iii) Have an authorized representative apply on the person's behalf.

(3) The following people can apply for the TSOA program:

(a) The applicant (the person receiving care);

(b) The applicant's spouse;

(c) The applicant's caregiver (person providing in-home caregiver services);

(d) A legal guardian; or

(e) An authorized representative, as defined in WAC 182-500-0010.

(4) A phone interview is required to establish TSOA financial eligibility, but may be waived if the applicant is unable to comply:

(a) Due to the applicant's medical condition; and

(b) Because the applicant does not have another person that is able to conduct the interview on the applicant's behalf.

(5) The agency or the agency's designee processes TSOA applications using the same timelines under WAC 182-503-0060.

(6) TSOA begins on the date the person is determined presumptively eligible for TSOA under WAC 182-513-1620, or on the date all eligibility requirements are established if the person is not found presumptively eligible.

(7) When the person withdraws an application for TSOA, or is determined ineligible for TSOA services, the agency or the agency's designee denies the application under WAC 182-503-0080.

(1) To determine income eligibility for the tailored supports for older adults (TSOA) program, the medicaid agency or the agency's designee uses the following rules depending on whether the person is single or married.

(2) If the TSOA applicant is single, the agency or the agency's designee:

(a) Determines available income under WAC 182-513-1325;

(b) Excludes income under WAC 182-513-1340; and

(c) Compares remaining gross nonexcluded income to ((the special income level (SIL)))400 percent of the federal benefit rate (FBR) for the supplemental security income (SSI) cash grant program. To be eligible, a person's gross income must be equal to or less than ((the SIL (three hundred percent))400 percent of the ((federal benefit rate (FBR))))FBR.

(3) If the TSOA applicant is married, the agency or the agency's designee:

(a) Determines available income under WAC 182-513-1330 with the exception of subsections (5) and (6) of that section;

(b) Excludes income under WAC 182-513-1340; and

(c) Compares the applicant's remaining gross nonexcluded income to ((the SIL))400 percent of the FBR. To be eligible, a person's gross income must be equal to or less than ((the SIL (three hundred percent of the FBR)))400 percent of the FBR.

(5) The current TSOA income standard is found on the Washington apple health income and resource standards chart, institutional standards section; see www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-help-others-apply-and-access-apple-health/program-standard-income-and-resources.

(1) The resource standard for a single applicant for tailored supports for older adults (TSOA) is (($53,100))six times the Washington state average monthly private nursing facility rate, as determined by the department of social and health services under chapter 74.46 RCW.

(2) The resource standard for a married couple is (($53,100))six times the Washington state average monthly private nursing facility rate, as determined by the department of social and health services under chapter 74.46 RCW, for the TSOA applicant plus the state spousal resource standard for the spousal impoverishment protections community (SIPC) spouse. The state spousal resource standard may change annually on July 1st. ((The resource standards are found at www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/program-administration/program-standard-income-and-resources.))

(3) The medicaid agency or the agency's designee uses rules in WAC 182-513-1350 (1), (3) and (4) to determine general eligibility relating to resources, availability of resources, and which resources count.

(4) The TSOA recipient has one year from the date of initial eligibility of TSOA to transfer resources in excess of the TSOA standard to the SIPC spouse.