How do you pay for assisted living until Medicaid starts?

I don't understand the Miller's trust, didn't know of think it was something for when you've spent down; thought it was for before so you could qualify - and thought it was only complicated if you were trying to make it be - think it was/is the business office of the nursing home where dil's grandmother is that's trying to deal with this missing $7K (not just $7) that's causing Medicaid to not pay

Have you spoken to either an Eldercare attorney or the business office at the facility about this?

The problem is that she has enough money for now but once she spends down her money.. we are afraid there will not be enough to pay her rent until Medicaid is approved.. I didn't know about "Medicaid pending" possibility... Thank you for that reply, Babalou. I know that any extra income she has once she is spent down will go in a Miller's Trust so she does qualify for Medicaid.. Unfortunately the whole thing is just flat out confusing !! It really shouldn't be this complicated for anyone !!

I don't think the income is; think it's being paid for out of accumulated monies but not sure understand either, because of course she wouldn't qualify for Medicaid till she gets down that low but maybe it is just a matter of the timing of the application

like what's happened in my situation - rehab being paid for by Medicare was over, Medicaid application was done, triggering, I believe, the 5 yr. lookback period during which they're finding the $7 unaccounted for so they're not paying - maybe the NH's keeping her, at least for now, on the "Medicaid pending" status, with the idea she will end up being approved but not sure how it's going to go

I don't understand the question. If the income is more than the monthly cost, Medicaid will never be needed.

Does the facility accept Medicaid after a period of private pay? If they do, you should talk to the folks in the business office and/or the social worker about when to submit her Medicaid application. She can probably stay "Medicaid pending" and the payments will be retroactive to the date of application.