Section 503.008 - Utilization of Potential Benefits(A) An applicant or member must take all necessary steps to obtain benefits to which he or she is legally entitled or for which he or she may be eligible, unless he or she can show that doing so would put the applicant, member, or any of the applicant's or member's family members in harm by supplying information to the policyholder in cases where there is demonstrated necessity for restricting such access. Benefits under 130 CMR 503.008 include, but are not limited to (1) Social Security benefits;(2) Railroad Retirement benefits;(3) federal Veterans' Administration benefits, including payment provided by the Veterans' Administration to purchase Aid and Attendance;(4) civil service annuities;(5) unemployment compensation;(6) workers' compensation;(7) state retirement benefits; and(8) any benefits to which the applicant or member is legally entitled and any share in any estate to which the applicant or member is entitled. Members are not required to maintain a health plan if its cost causes financial hardship to the member.(B) The applicant or member who is otherwise eligible for MassHealth will receive MassHealth benefits while claims for other benefits are pending provided that MassHealth eligibility is redetermined when such benefits are received.(C) Applicants and members are not required to apply for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Massachusetts state veterans' service benefits as a condition of receiving MassHealth only.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1355, eff. 12/29/2017.