She currently lives in an Assisted Living facility that does not accept Medicaid. We cover some of her expenses now ($500-800/mo). Once the LTC runs out, we won't be able to afford to keep her where she is. What should we start doing now to ensure she has a place to go when the LTC runs out? Her current income from SS and a pension annuity as about $1900/mo.
This will help with transition for her and for your wallet.
Look at her assets carefully to make sure she is 100% under your state's asset ceiling. $ 1,900 is close to the ceiling and you don't want something say that pays
only once a year but throws her over the state max to cause an issue. That sort of situation can be dealt with via a Miller Trust but you need a bit of time to do it and have it in place so she qualify's.
In general for Medicaid, they must show that
1) are 65+,
2) medical condition requires a skilled level of Nursing health care,
3) monthly income is less than her states ceiling 2K-2,200K,
4) countable assets are less than $2000 and
5) not gifted away anything of value during the look-back period.
Good luck.
Good for you to be planning ahead for all this!
In general, six months should be enough to get Medicaid in place, but paperwork has been known to be slow. So much depends on where she lives. Most of the time $2000 in assets qualities a person for Medicaid. You may want to contact Social Services for advice on when to start.
Take care,
Carol