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317:35-6-55. Treatment of qualified lottery or qualified gambling winnings

[Revised 09-01-21]

(a) Definitions.  The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Qualified lottery winnings" means winnings from a sweepstakes, lottery, or pool described in paragraph three (3) of Section 4402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or a lottery operated by a multistate or multijurisdictional lottery association paid out in a single payout and not in installments over a period of time.

(2) "Qualified gambling winnings" means monetary winnings from gambling, as defined by Section 1955(b)(4) of Title 18 of the United States Code (U.S.C.).

(3) "Undue hardship" means circumstances resulting from a loss or denial of SoonerCare eligibility that would deprive an individual of medical care, such that the individual's health or life would be endangered, or that would deprive the individual or his or her financially dependent family members of food, clothing, shelter, or other necessities of life.

(b) Income determinations. In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(14)(K), qualified lottery and gambling winnings shall be considered as income in determining the financial eligibility of individuals whose eligibility is determined based on the application of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), as follows:

(1) Winnings less than $80,000 are counted in the month received;

(2) Winnings greater than or equal to $80,000, but less than $90,000, are counted as income over two (2) months, with an equal amount counted in each month;

(3) Winnings greater than or equal to $90,000, but less than $100,000, are counted as income over three (3) months, with an equal amount counted in each month;

(4) Winnings greater than or equal to $100,000 are counted as income over three (3) months, with one (1) additional month for every increment of $10,000 in winnings received over $100,000, with an equal amount counted in each month; and

(5) The maximum period of time over which winnings may be counted is one hundred and twenty (120) months, which would apply to winnings greater than or equal to $1,260,000.

(c) Treatment of household members.  Qualified lottery and gambling winnings shall be counted as household income for all household members in the month of receipt; however, the requirement to count qualified lottery and gambling winnings in household income over multiple months applies only to the individual receiving the winnings. 

(d) Undue hardship.  An individual who loses or is denied eligibility due to qualified lottery or gambling winnings may timely file a member appeal, in accordance with Oklahoma Administrative Code 317:2-1-2.  If, as part of that appeal, the individual proves by a preponderance of the evidence that loss or denial of eligibility would result in undue hardship, eligibility shall be restored or approved, provided all other conditions of eligibility have been met.

(e) Notice.  SoonerCare members or applicants who are determined financially ineligible due to the counting of lottery or gambling winnings  will receive a notice of the date on which the lottery or gambling winnings will no longer be counted for eligibility purposes.  The notice will also inform the member or applicant of the undue hardship exemption and of their opportunity to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan on the Federally Facilitated Exchange.

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.