We are now renting an apartment. If one of us needs a nursing home, we will have to go on Medicaid. If we owned a house, the spouse can stay in the home, keep a vehicle, and keep a certain amount of money. The rest goes to Medicaid. But what if we now rent? Oh--we are in New York State. thanks, chris
https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/spousal-impoverishment/index.html
Atty can help you get CSRA or MMNA if need be. Community spouse resource allowance / monthly maintenance needs allowance - think of it as sort of alimony for the nonNH spouse. You should NOT have to yourself become impoverished only the in a NH on Medicaid spouse does.
Most states have it so that for couples their assets are fixed at the day the application is done. Often called the "snapshot day". If $ needs to move around or things paid off, or paperwork changed etc, they need to be done before snapshot. It's easy to overlook stuff pr do something that morphs into a Medicaid problem. Classic example is dealing with cars... Medicaid allows for 1 car; most couples have 2; they give one to kid or grandkids.... but That is gifting and not allowed by Medicaid so get a transfer penalty and ineligible. Really see an elder law atty before he needs to go into a facility. Good luck & keep a sense of humor going!