OHCA Policies and Rules
317:35-5-41.1. Home/real property
[Revised 09-14-2020]
(a) Home property is excluded from resources regardless of value unless the individual is applying for long-term care services [See Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:35-5-41.8(a) (relating to eligibility for long-term care services)]. For purposes of the home property resource exclusion, a home is defined as any shelter in which the individual has an ownership interest and which is used by the individual as his/her principal place of residence. The home may be either real or personal property, fixed or mobile.
(1) Home property includes all property which is adjacent to the home. Land is considered adjacent even if separated by a boundary line, street, alley, highway, or waterway.
(2) Property has a value regardless of whether there is an actual offer to purchase. Verification of home/real property value is established by collateral contacts with specialized individuals knowledgeable in the type and location of property being considered. Mineral rights and wind rights associated with the home property are not valued separate from the surface.
(3) The home may be retained without affecting eligibility during periods when it is necessary to be absent for illness or other necessity. When it is determined that the member does not have a feasible plan for and cannot be expected to return to his/her home, the market value of the property is considered in relation to the resource. The member is responsible for taking all steps necessary to convert the resource for use in meeting current needs. If the member is making an effort to make the resource available, a reasonable period of time is given [not to exceed ninety (90) days] to convert the resource. He/she is advised in writing that the ninety-day (90-day) period begins with the determination that the property be considered in relation to the resource. The ninety-day (90-day) period is given only if efforts are in progress to make the resource available. Any extension beyond the initial ninety-day (90-day) period is justified only after interviewing the member, determining that a good faith effort to sell is still being made and failure to sell is due to circumstances beyond the control of the member. A written notification is also provided to the member at any time an extension is allowed. Detailed documentation in the case record is required.
(4) If the member fails or is unwilling to take steps necessary to convert the resource for use in meeting current needs, continuing eligibility cannot be established and the member is advised as to the effective date of closure and of the right to receive assistance when the resources are within the maximum allowable resources provided other conditions of eligibility continue to be met.
(5) When a member sells his/her home with the intention of purchasing another home or when an insurance payment for damage to the home is received, a reasonable period of time is given to reinvest the money in another home. A reasonable period of time is considered to not exceed a ninety-day (90-day) period. Extensions beyond the ninety (90) days may be justified only after interviewing the member; and determining that a good faith effort is still being made; and that completion of the transaction is beyond his/her control. This must be documented in the case record.
(6) At the point a member decides not to reinvest the proceeds from the sale of his/her home in another home, the member's plan for use of the proceeds is evaluated in relation to rules on resources disposed of while receiving assistance.
(7) A home traded for another home of equal value does not affect the member's eligibility status. If the home is traded for a home of lesser value, the difference may be invested in improvement of the new home.
(8) Absences from home for up to ninety (90) days for trips or visits or six (6) months for medical care (other than nursing facilities) do not affect receipt of assistance or the home exclusion as long as the individual intends to return home. Such absences, if they extend beyond those limits, may indicate the home no longer serves as the principal place of residence.
(9) Mineral rights, associated with the home property, are considered along with the surface rights and are excluded as a resource.
(b) Real property other than home property shall be treated as follows:
(1) Mineral rights which are not associated with the home property are considered as a resource. Since evaluation and salability of mineral rights fluctuate, the establishment of the value of mineral rights are established based on the opinion of collateral sources. Actual offers of purchase are used when established as a legitimate offer through a collateral source. Mineral rights not associated with home property which are income producing are considered in the same way as income producing property. Refer to OAC 317:35-5-41.12(c)(3) for treatment of mineral rights as non-trade or non-business property.
(2) The market value of real estate other than home property owned by the member or legal dependent and encumbrances against such property are ascertained in determining the equity (including the cost to the member of a merchantable title to be determined when the resource approaches the maximum). The market value of real estate other than the home owned by the applicant is established on the basis of oral or written information which the applicant has on hand and counsel with persons who have specialized knowledge about this kind of resource. Refer to OAC 317:35-5-41.12(c) for exclusion of real estate that produces income.
(3) For any individual (and spouse, if any) who is of Indian descent from a federally recognized Indian tribe, any interest in land which is held in trust by the United States for an individual Indian or tribe, or which is held by an individual Indian or tribe and which can only be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of with the approval of other individuals, his or her tribe, or an agency of the federal government, shall be excluded from resource determinations, in accordance with 20 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) 416.1234.
(4) A life estate conveys upon an individual or individuals for his/her lifetime, certain rights in property. Its duration is measured by the lifetime of the tenant or of another person; or by the occurrence of some specific event, such as remarriage of the tenant. The owner of a life estate has the right of possession, the right to use the property, the right to obtain profits from the property and the right to sell his/her life estate interest. However, the contract establishing the life estate may restrain one or more rights of the individual. The individual does not have title to all interest in the property and does not have the right to sell the property other than the interest owned during his/her lifetime. He/she may not usually pass it on to heirs in the form of an inheritance.
(A) When a life estate in property is not used as the member's home, it is necessary to establish the value. A computer procedure is available to compute the value of a life estate by input of the current market value of the property and the age of the life estate owner.
(B) The value of a life estate on mortgaged property is based on equity rather than market value and the age of the individual.
(C) In the event the member does not accept as valid the value of the life estate as established through this method, the member must secure a written estimate by two (2) persons who are familiar with current values. If there is substantial unexplained divergence between these appraisals, the worker and the member will jointly arrange for the market value to be established by an appraisal made by a third (3rd) person who is familiar with current market values and who is acceptable to both the member and the worker.
(5) Real and/or personal property which produces income is excluded if it meets the following conditions established in OAC 317:35-5-41.12.
Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.
