Can my brother keep his SSA until approved by Medicaid?

Could your ? possibly be on status of his $ if he’s technically “Medicaid Pending”? If so, he still will be required to have his monthly income go as his copay or SOC (share of cost) paid to the facility.

BUT There have been a few posts on this site, that the NH hasn’t billed the resident for the copay while they are “pending”. I’d bet that somehow how laws are for that state is such that NH can’t as copay due upon official Medicaid approval. But eventually the NH will have to get his copay from Day 1 of his filing of a Medicaid application. He cannot spend his monthly income - except for the personal needs allowance $- it all has to go eventually as his copay unless there’s a community spouse.

Geaton777, are you saying the resident trust account is not bound by $2000.00 limit on recipient's assets? In that case, why do they require confirmation of that amount with annual review?

As long as it stays under state max usually $2000

If he is in facility he will owe share of cost. If he keeps his social security and spends all of it rather than having money to pay facility, it’s a problem. If he has been given an estimated amount he can keep, typically $60-100 per month, depending on state then he can keep his share and pay what is left to facility. What does he need money for? You don’t want him to keep all his money and go over limit and not be approved for Medicaid. You don’t want him to not pay for time he is in facility-what if he is not approved or it’s delayed? Check with the Medicaid case worker or social worker at facility, they will know how much he can keep and how much your brother will have to pay, because Medicaid pays the difference NOT the whole amount for care. Your brother will still owe something.