When my mother had to go into a nursing home, she was renting an apartment. Of course she couldn’t keep the apartment and had to rent a storage unit for her to keep all her stuff. She told me she was going to pay for it, and wrote me a check to put into a bank acct in my name, so I could pay the monthly bill. The contract for the storage unit is in my name, since she was in the nursing home. Will this be questioned and make her ineligible for Medicaid? How are you supposed to know this stuff will happen?
Show on your bookkeeping that it was a pass through check, this happens all the time, you don't want to have to pay taxes on that money either, so document it and get it paid out.
Your mom will have to self pay until she meets the Medicaid requirements. Medicaid only kicks in when you are broke, as it should be, it is not so people can save their money to pass on, it is so people can get the care they require.
You say bills, she won't have any money to pay for anything beyond her board and care and a small amount for hair cuts, etc. AZ it is 120.00 monthly for personal needs and that is all it can be used for, NEEDS. You will need to start liquidating her things or you will be liable for the payments or things will be cancelled or repossessed.
Look at it this way, you now have 12 months to clear the storage unit. Breathing room to focus on something else. She can use her money for her. She just can't gift or give anything away. Make sure that you don't do any more checks to you and pay the money towards its intended purpose and you should be fine. Don't prepay any other bills that won't be considered a need, error on the side of caution from here forward.
Start keeping records now, all receipts, just anything that pertains to your mom.
I know this is scary and hard, especially when you are doing it alone. It will get sorted out and be calmed down, keep the faith. You can do this.
I am NOT a lawyer.
Are you assuming that mom has moved to the NH permanently? Why store things she's not going to use?
What other bills does she have?