(a) An applicant who is not a recipient of aid under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) shall be required to file an affirmation setting forth facts about their annual income and qualifications for eligibility as may be required by the department. Those statements shall be on forms prescribed by the department.

(b) To the extent permitted by federal law, eligibility for medical assistance for applicants shall not be granted until the applicant or designated representative provides independent documentation verifying statements of all of the following:

(1) Gross income by type and source.

(2) Income amounts withheld for taxes.

(3) Health care benefits available through employment, retirement, military service, work-related injuries or settlements from prior injuries.

(c) The verification requirements of subdivision (b) apply to income and income deductions of applicants for medical assistance, excluding applicants for public assistance, and to persons whose income, income deductions, or expenses must be considered in determining the applicant’s eligibility and spend down of excess income.

(d) A determination of eligibility and spend down of excess income may be extended beyond otherwise prescribed timeframes if, in the county department’s judgment, and subject to standards of the director, the applicant or designated representative has good cause for failure to provide the required verification and continues to make a good faith effort to provide verification.

(e) To the extent permitted by federal law, in addition to the other verification requirements of this section, a county department may require verification of any other applicant statements, or conduct a full and complete investigation of the statements, whenever a verification or investigation is warranted in the judgment of the county department.

(f) If documentation is unavailable, as defined in regulations promulgated by the department, the applicant’s signed statement as to the value or amount shall be deemed to constitute verification.

(g) This section shall become operative on the later of either January 1, 2024, or the date on which the determination of the Director of Health Care Services is communicated in writing to the Department of Finance pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 14005.62, and subject to implementation of Section 14005.62 pursuant to subdivision (d) of that section, and shall remain operative for time periods in which the department has obtained the necessary federal approvals to implement paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 14005.62 for the applicable population.

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 42, Sec. 109. (AB 118) Effective July 10, 2023. Conditionally operative on or after January 1, 2024, by its own provisions.)