Need information about medicaid...

Barb is right. The Medicaid site is www.medicaid.gov . You can read about requirements there and choose your state. You can even apply for Medicaid at that site after you get all the paperwork you need. Medicaid is not interested in impoverishing the community spouse, so you may find it less burdensome than you fear. Good luck! You're in a position that many spouses find themselves -- your spouse needs care, but you can't afford to lose your income.

First...remember, this changes state by state. The general rules are the same..the exact dollar amounts vary.

So..first, all the assets are considered. If you own your own home, then you continue to live there...but, Medicaid might put a lien on 50% of its value...to be paid when the house sells.

So..50% of the total savings (investments, etc) need to be spent by you paying his nursing home costs. When you are down to just $2,000 of that money left...then you apply for Medicaid.  Most states put a limit on how much the remain spouse can keep...so for example..if the remaining spouse would get to keep 50% ..but that is more than $100,000 then the difference has to be spent on his nursing home.

Assuming he is accepted...he will pay all of his pensions, all of his social security into his nursing home care...Medicaid then picks up the rest. Your income is not counted. But, remember all joint assets are counted. Many states will allow the remaining spouse up to $2,000 per month in support from his income...if she is otherwise destitute.   The car is not counted in the assets....any life insurance is counted, but...prepaid funeral costs are not counted.   It makes sense to go buy a new car, and pay those funeral costs...since that is exempt from the 50% rule.

If he made any gifts in the preceding 5 years...they will count as if he still have that money...so it would delay his approval. If he bought anything for children, friends, etc...it counts as if he still had that money and will delay approval.

If he has income above $2,000 he will need to put it in a miller trust...the first $2,000 pays for his monthly care...the remained is held in Trust for Medicaid to receive after he passes.

Remember...each state has different dollar amount rules.

Franci, I think that your best bet is to start out reading the Medicaid website for your state, and making an appointment with a certified Eldercare attorney who specializes in Medicaid.