IMA POLICY MANUAL
PART I: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF APPLICABLE IMA PROGRAMS
INTRODUCTION 2.1
This chapter provides an overview of the benefits programs operated by IMA which are addressed in this Manual.
IMA determines eligibility for five major benefits programs in the District of Columbia:
- Medical Assistance (MA) ,
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),
- General Assistance for Children (GC),
- Interim Disability Assistance (IDA), and
- Food Stamps (FS)
IMA administers all of these program except for MA. MA is administered by the Department of Health.
These benefits are available to District residents based on income and other eligibility requirements. Each program operates under different federal and District legislative authority and has its own eligibility requirements, income limits, benefit determination, benefit levels, fair hearing and administrative review procedures, and other provisions.
District residents apply for program benefits at one of the IMA service centers. Following an initial screening interview with IMA staff, applicants can be referred to other agencies or for other benefits and services, including referrals to employment opportunities.
The Department uses a Combined Application (CA) form for MA, TANF, GC, IDA, and FS benefits which collects eligibility information and documentation for all five IMA programs. In addition, an MA-specific application form, the D.C. Healthy Families Application, can be completed by certain applicants. Further, customers wishing to apply only for Food Stamps may use the Food Stamp only application form. Residents have the right to receive and file a benefits application form within the same business day they request an application. Additional rights and responsibilities are held by the applicant, recipient, and Department and are described in detail in Part II: Basic Rights and Responsibilities.
In addition to these five main programs, IMA also offers two programs for refugees: Refugee-Related MA and Refugee Cash Assistance. These programs draw on the policies used by the four main programs. Consequently, the Manual does not highlight the refugee programs in every section. Section 7.5: Refugee-Related Cash and Medical Assistance in Part IV describes the refugee programs and their relationship to the five main IMA programs.
IMA also administers the Burial Assistance Program. This program is discussed in detail in Part IX: Special Local Programs.
The following sections describe each of the five major IMA programs and provide a summary of each program's legislative authority, eligibility criteria, and benefits. More detailed explanations of policies, eligibility, and benefits are provided in later chapters of this Manual.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (MA) 2.2
District residents are eligible for MA through the Medicaid program if they fall into one of the categories of people listed in Section 2.2.1: MA Program Types, provided they also meet all financial and non-financial criteria (see Part IV: Non-Financial Eligibility and Part VI: Financial Eligibility).
The Medicaid program is authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act which provides for federal grants to the states and the District for the medical assistance program. Specifically, Title XIX enables the District to provide medical assistance, rehabilitation, and other health-related services to those who have insufficient incomes and resources to meet the costs of necessary medical services.
Note regarding the COBRA Coverage Program: this program is now administered by the HIV/AIDS Administration within the Department of Health. The program pays the health care premiums for low and moderate-income individuals who are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive and eligible for COBRA health insurance coverage from a former employer. Persons may apply by calling the HIV/AIDS Administration on (202) 727-2500.
