I agree. Every state is different. It's important that the community spouse see an attorney (elder law or estate) who knows your state's Medicaid policy and do the planning needed. Good luck, Carol
As a general rule, all states must follow the federal Medicaid law that says the spouse at home is permitted to retain AT LEAST $1,939, which may be increased to $2,931 if financial need can be proved (some states set the minimum at $2,931).
My father had a stroke, I his Daugther has been taking care of him now for about 3 years. It is getting very hard to take care of him with having 4 children work an 8 hr. job and have a husband also.All he has is his social security as an in come.He can't do anything for himself, therefor he has to have someone to take care of him 24- 7. I need to now if there is help with a nursing home, I am just about done, can't hold on much longer.
Community spouse issues can get pretty sticky to maneuver to be done so that they maximize the situation. The state does NOT require the community spouse to themselves become impoverished. Most articles and info on Medicaid is all about a single widow or widower applicant and their assets income limits are about 2k & 2K for each. For for CS, most states have it as 113K in liquid assets plus the usual exempt assets (home, car). Now what is considered a liquid asset can vary by state (like some are OK for SPIA's and others not - like I said its sticky) Personally i think you need to consult with elder law or an experienced Medicaid estate planner or advisor.There are things you can & need to do for your folks in advance though.
- find out what your state has as it's CSRA - that is community spouse resource allowance. The CSRA will vary by state as each state manages Medicaid uniquely. For example the CSRA for TX is $ 2,931 which is somewhat high. Then figure out what your parents monthly income is for each and where the community spouse could stand financially. - get their life insurance policies out and look at beneficiary. Most couples have each other as the beneficiary. Totally not good for Medicaid to plan this way. Legal or planner can give you options of how to deal with this that works for your state - cars. Medicaid allows for 1 car, most couples have 2. Cannot gift the extra car to kids or grandkids as transfer penalty. Best bet is to trade both in and get 1 newer and more dependable car. - best use of spend-down. If the CS realistically can be on their own for years & years, planning for all this is different that for "almost needing their own care" spouse who themselves may need a NH in the near future. This is where an experienced Medicaid planner or attorney can be invaluable. - timing. For couples, Medicaid does a "snapshot" day in which their financials are all based on. If anything financially needs to be done, it has to all be done and through their banking, etc BEFORE the snapshot day. Changing insurance or paying off a mortgage or downsizing in homes, all can take time to get done and you have to get this stuff done before the snapshot day is done.
I did my mom's Medicaid app, penalty issues, etc on my own and it;s a total PIA but pretty straightforward (they need to be impoverished). But if I had been dealing with mom staying at home & dad going into NH, I really would work with both an elder lawyer and a financial planner who understands community spouse to maximize what mom could do, keep and have. Somewhere I read that the average CS lives 8 years after the other goes into a NH. My mom was almost 25 years solo after dad died & before she went into a NH. That is a really long time and you need to do whatever to keep the most $$$ for them to stay living at the same standard as when they were together. Good advice is invaluable. Good luck.
The ? Was from me stef as ni. We do not own anything I lease a car we rent sn spt. Have nothing in b as nk except our ss & pension checks. Hubby gambled every penny of his retirement fund my life insurance is only for $1500.00.. I want to know what instance medicaid w pay the nill of a nursing home for him he has Altzheimers/dementia w diabetes
I will just get a senior apt for him and deliver him to his appts. Its my husband. He already gets his meals and meds delivered I just do not want to live with him any longer..too much for me to handle
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Good luck,
Carol
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- find out what your state has as it's CSRA - that is community spouse resource allowance. The CSRA will vary by state as each state manages Medicaid uniquely. For example the CSRA for TX is $ 2,931 which is somewhat high. Then figure out what your parents monthly income is for each and where the community spouse could stand financially.
- get their life insurance policies out and look at beneficiary. Most couples have each other as the beneficiary. Totally not good for Medicaid to plan this way. Legal or planner can give you options of how to deal with this that works for your state
- cars. Medicaid allows for 1 car, most couples have 2. Cannot gift the extra car to kids or grandkids as transfer penalty. Best bet is to trade both in and get 1 newer and more dependable car.
- best use of spend-down. If the CS realistically can be on their own for years & years, planning for all this is different that for "almost needing their own care" spouse who themselves may need a NH in the near future. This is where an experienced Medicaid planner or attorney can be invaluable.
- timing. For couples, Medicaid does a "snapshot" day in which their financials are all based on. If anything financially needs to be done, it has to all be done and through their banking, etc BEFORE the snapshot day. Changing insurance or paying off a mortgage or downsizing in homes, all can take time to get done and you have to get this stuff done before the snapshot day is done.
I did my mom's Medicaid app, penalty issues, etc on my own and it;s a total PIA but pretty straightforward (they need to be impoverished). But if I had been dealing with mom staying at home & dad going into NH, I really would work with both an elder lawyer and a financial planner who understands community spouse to maximize what mom could do, keep and have. Somewhere I read that the average CS lives 8 years after the other goes into a NH. My mom was almost 25 years solo after dad died & before she went into a NH. That is a really long time and you need to do whatever to keep the most $$$ for them to stay living at the same standard as when they were together. Good advice is invaluable. Good luck.
I just do not want to live with him any longer..too much for me to handle