My parents are in a nursing facility. Their only income is SS and it goes to Medicaid. I am their POA. Can I claim them on my taxes?

You can’t claim a tax break for something the taxpayers are already paying for lol.

Why would you claim them? They aren't dependent on you, they are dependent on ALL the tax payers.

No, since you are not paying for at least half their support. I have asked my tax accountant this question in the past beccause my MIL is on Medicaid in a LTC facility.

In order to claim them as a dependent, you have to provide over half of their care. It sounds like Medicaid and SSI is providing their support and not you, therefore, you cannot claim them on your taxes.

No, you have to pay over half of their living expenses in order to claim them.

Nope. Your parents reside in a facility and Medicaid pays the difference that SS does not cover for the costs of their care.

If they are in a nursing home, you are non financially supporting them. Perhaps you pay for a few things they want/need here and there, but it would be very doubtful you pay for more than 50% of their expenses.

Their SS income does not go to Medicaid. It goes to the nursing home with Medicaid paying the balance of what their SS doesn't cover. At this point, the SS plus the Medicaid (state funds) is paying for their food, shelter, and medical expenses - those programs support your parents.

Twila1: No, being their principal (POA) does not mean that you can claim them on your tax filing status. In addition, none of your funds are going towards their care that would enable you to claim them.