(a) To the extent permissible by federal law, the Commissioner of Social Services shall disregard federal Aid and Attendance pension benefits granted to a veteran or the surviving spouse of such veteran when determining income eligibility for the state's Medicare savings, medical assistance and energy assistance programs administered under section 17b-2 . As used in this subsection, “veteran” has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103 .
(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may seek approval of an amendment to the state Medicaid plan or a waiver from federal law, if necessary, to exempt such benefits from income eligibility criteria.