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Jocelyn775 Asked April 2022

Do nursing homes take your Social Security check if you have Medicaid?

Geaton777 Apr 2022
Here is more info from your profile, which helps give context to your question:

"I am caring for my mother Diana, who is 82 years old, living in my home with alzheimer's / dementia, diabetes, hearing loss, incontinence, and urinary tract infection."

Medicaid is run by each state, therefore the rules can vary depending on where you live. For instance, the financial "look back" period on the application can be anywhere from 2.5 years to 5 years. In some states it will cover some or all of AL, in others only medically necessary LTC. You will need to go onto your county's website under Health and Human Services to research Elder Care options for where you live. Your local area's Agency on Aging provides resources for keeping your LO in the home longer, but this doesn't sound like the solution you are seeking. Nonetheless, it would be good to contact them for guidance. There is also something called an Elder Waiver which may help partially pay for AL or elder services. Many states have this.

If your mother both financially and medically qualifies for Medicaid, it plus the majority of your mother's SS will cover the facility cost. Depending on your state of residence, some funds will be left in your mother's SS. In my state it is $90 a month. Once your mother is in a facility that accepts Medicaid, she won't have a lot of expensive needs (although some caregivers has stated that they provide the adult incontinence briefs. I haven't had this experience).

BarbBrooklyn Apr 2022
AMurry, welcome! You should probably start your own thread to ask this question.

The place to start is your local Area Agency on Aging. You want your mom to have a "needs assessment" to see what level of support is appropriate.

Then you need to figure out her resources. What are her assets? Does she own a home? Does she qualify for long term care Medicaid?

https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/california/medicaid-waivers/assisted-living-waiver

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amurray Apr 2022
Does anyone know how to navigate researching and finding financial assistance for finding an assisted living facility for an aging and unhappy parent? I am only 31, am a full time teacher, am an only child trying to figure this all out.
babsjvd Apr 2022
You probably would get more responses if you post your own question on a thread…

call your county office for aged and disabilities , they may give you some guidance

i have used , 3 times between my in laws and my mom an independent placement agent. These people know the ins and outs , availability, will meet with you, arrange tours. They get paid by the placement place , not by you. I used carepatrol here in my area twice. They are a franch. Google search for an agency.
Mysteryshopper Apr 2022
I handle the affairs of a lady in a nursing home on Medicaid. Her SS check gets deposited into the same checking account she used for years. I write a check to the nursing home every month for that amount - minus the $50 that the lady is allowed to keep for incidentals.

In addition, there is a limit on what assets the person is allowed to have if they are on Medicaid.

gladimhere Apr 2022
Yes, less a small personal needs allowance.

ZippyZee Apr 2022
Yes, minus a small amount (usually less than $100) for things like haircuts and other personal items.

Medicaid is paid on the taxpayers' dime, so they have to recover as much as they can.

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