PROGUARD.ORG
Vehicles and Public Entitlements
Home ] Up ] Contents ] Glossary ] Guardianship ] Trusts ] Special Issues ] Case Law ] [ Links]

These pages are provided as a public service by
Guardianship Services of Seattle

.For specific information about the services offered by GSS, please click on the hyperlink.

 

   

VEHICLES

Medicaid and SSI have eligibility limits on the value of vehicles that may be owned by the recipient. The allowed value varies depending on the circumstances of the beneficiary. In Washington, these values are listed in Section 7 of  WAC 388-470-0040 . (This link is to the state site, which is kept up to date)

as of April, 2003, section 7 reads as follows:

WAC 388-470-0040 Additional excluded resources for SSI-related medical assistance.
...
(7) The equity value of one vehicle up to five thousand dollar is excluded. The five thousand dollars limitation does not apply when the client or a member of the client's household, uses the vehicle which is:

(a) Necessary for employment; or
(b) Necessary for the treatment of specific or regular medical problem; or
(c) Modified for operation by, or transportation of, a person with disabilities; or
(d) Necessary due to climate, terrain, distance, or similar factors to provide the client
transportation to perform essential daily activities.

The rule does not require there to be no atlernate means of transportation, just that the person needs a car to get to essential places like the grocery store. In general very few Americans fail to meet this standard and in essence there is not a limit on the value of a car. Here is a  Washington Law Help ( an invaluable resource) has a more detailed description of the rules HERE.

[Top of  Page]


Public benefits