Mom has money issues.

Do it.Definately ,Consult attorney. ..Definately Do Not give cash to her account. make seperate account to pay any bills do not mingle money. Account in your name only . If you are providing care make a n agreement to do such from agreed upon amount..This will help with any pay down. The amt can go towatds any pay down.Do not call anything a loan that is
considered an income too. doesnt make sence but is. Just
pay anything out of account only for that, your name only. See if she qualifies for any utility
financial assistance. If you can get a long term care insurance.
Interview some attorneys.Most will give you a free consult.
Ask a realestate attorney if they know elder attorney would personally use.
best wishes


I would definately

I suggest that you retain an elder law attorney.

I rarely say this on this site, but you DO need an attorney. Your goal must be to keep the 'family home' next door as your property and to keep Mom living there too. I think this can only be done with your private money to try to survive the 5 years total since she gifted that property to you. In some states, its seven years by the way. You are believing that Medicaid could kick in and pay for her care at a facility at that time right? How old will she be then? How good of a long term plan is this anyway? Is it likely to work out as you imagine it?

Do not deposit into her account.
If she is unable to pay bills at this time and has depleted her funds why not apply for Medicaid now.
The process will take a while anyway.
If there is a look back that you are concerned about what difference does it make if you have to provide cash for that or provide cash to pay her bills. In either case you will be expending cash.
Talk to a Senior Services Agency or if you have an Elder Care Attorney talk to them about how best to help out.
I think if you begin depositing money into her account it will look like a revenue stream that might be taken into account during the application process.

Bob is right. Call your Area Aging Agency. They can recommend a good Elder Attorney. They were both a tremendous help to me with my MIL.
ASK AN ATTORNEY BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING !!!

See a well-recommended elder attorney.

Don't ask why I said "well-recommended."
Grace + peace,
Bob

One idea is instead of depositing money into her account, pay some bills directly with the money you would have deposited. Was she or her spouse a Veteran?
If so, apply for veterans benefits if this hasn't been done

It's a long story but we have a QCD that is 3 years old. Need to wait until 5 years so they don't take the house. It's actually attached to our house through the well and septic. We paid the mortgage too but she wanted her name included on the deed. When we realized the issues this would cause we removed it however she got sick shortly after.

I don't see why helping her out would be a problem, but what is the issue that would keep her from applying now? Or does she not need it?