I'm only 53 and would like to work again. Planning on placing husband in memory care and I was told I would be given a certain amount from Medicaid a month to cover the household expenses, but if I go to work will they deduct that from the pay they are giving me? We're in Illinois. I know that's how it works if you're on SNAP benefits and unemployment, but wasn't sure how it applied in this instance. Anyone have experience with this?
You and your husband have income. If he were single and in need of Medicaid, ALL of his income (Social Security, pension, etc) would be paid to the facility, minus a small "personal needs allowance" which he could use for toiletries, haircuts, etc.
But because he has a spouse, and Medicaid does NOT want his spouse (you) to become impoverished, they allow however much of his income (SS, Pension,etc) that is needed to keep you in your home, able to buy groceries, etc., to be excluded from being paid to the NH. Instead, it is available to you.
I'm assuming that you've been the caregiver, and thus haven't been working. I believe that if you go back to work, Medicaid will re-jigger the equation so that some of his SS and pension will then go to the facility to pay for his care.