Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment

To prevent the loss of employment and reliance on cash assistance by individuals at risk for disability.

To provide benefits equivalent to those provided by Medicaid, to the categorically needy and to workers who have physical or mental impairments that, without medical assistance, will result
in a disability.
Related Programs

Examples of Funded Projects

Projects approved so far will cover the HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and bi Polar/schizophrenia populations.

People enrolled in these demonstration programs will receive Medicaid equivalent services and will participate in an evaluation to determine if the provision of medical services delay the onset of disability and extends the duration for which a person can work.

Agency - Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.

Office - Contact the appropriate CMS Regional Administrator.

(See Appendix IV for Regional Offices).
Website Address

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/contracts/




Program Accomplishments

Under the section 204 grant program, seven States (Rhode Island, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Hawaii and Minnesota) and the District of Columbia have been awarded Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment grant funding since the program's inception. States implementing demonstration grant programs will provide Medicaid-equivalent services to targeted populations of working individuals with disabilities. The demonstration projects will be used to evaluate the impact of providing Medicaid benefits to a working person with a potentially severe disability. The State demonstration projects cover individuals with all types of disabilities including HIV/AIDS, and various mental illnesses. In FY 2006, a total of almost $73 million was obligated for the section 204 program.

Uses and Use Restrictions

These demonstration grants will enable States to assist working individuals by providing the necessary benefits and services required for people to manage the progression of their conditions and remain employed.

Federal funds paid to the States under this demonstration must be used to supplement, but not supplant, State funds expended for workers with potentially severe disabilities at the time the demonstration project is approved.