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Texas Medicaid benefits for aged, blind, and disabled people
who have little or no income and who need nursing home care are
income and asset based. Whether or not an
individual will qualify finacially for Medicaid benefits in
a nursing home depends on how much his
or her monthly income is, and how much is put away in
savings or investments (assets).
For those who reside in a nursing home, or who may soon be
moving into a nursing home, and who will need the assistance
of Texas Medicaid to pay for care, here are the basics for
2008:
|
Income |
|
| Maximum Individual Monthly Income |
$1,911 |
Only the income of the
individual
applying is
considered. There is no limit on
the monthly or annual Income
which belongs completely to the
spouse remaining "in the
community." If the "well"
spouse's monthly income is
below $2,620, the well spouse
may keep up to $2,610 of the
couple's combined income. |
|
| Maximum Monthly Income For A Couple in a nursing home
and both applying at the same time |
$3,822 |
| If monthly income exceeds these limits
special provisions can often be made to qualify the individual. You
should see an
attorney who is experienced with Texas Medicaid. |
| |
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|
Assets |
|
| Maximum Countable Resources for an Individual |
$2,000 |
| Maximum Countable Resources For A Couple Both Applying
At The Same Time |
$3,000 |
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| If a spouse is remaining "at home" while the
other spouse receives nursing home care, the "well spouse" may
keep certain assets (the PRA or Protected Resource Amount).
The well spouse may keep 1/2 of the couple's countable
resources, with a |
| Minimum of |
$20,880 |
| Maximum of |
$104,440 |
| The actual protected amount is based on a
"snapshot" of the couple's assets as of the first day of the
month in which the applicant enters a nursing facility and
remains for at least 30 days. |
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Penalties |
| Gifts or transfers which reduce an applicant's
assets or resources may be penalized by a period of
ineligibility for Medicaid. The "Lookback Period" which can be
reviewed for any gifts or transfers is 60 months. The penalty
assessed is $122.50 per day beginning on the day of
application for Medicaid (not the day of the gift or
transfer). This penalty amount is subject to change at any
time. |
Texas Medicaid is a complex program. If you have questions
or concerns about an application or eligibility, please
consult with a knowledgeable
Texas attorney.
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