ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES
HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Tel. 858-7883
If you are age 65 or older, or younger than 65 and disabled, you might qualify for Medicaid. The following conditions must be met:
- $31,175.00 or less in resources plus an unlimited amount of funds in a special account set aside for burial. In addition, you could own an automobile and your home of any value.
- Your net monthly income must be no more than $1,752.00 per month. If your income is above this amount, you could pay the difference between your income and the Medicaid allowance of $1,752.00 per month. You may subtract the cost of any health insurance premiums from your gross income except the Medicare premium. A supplemental Needs Trust could be established if the applicant is deemed to be disabled and not living in a nursing home. The funds in the trust could be used to pay living expenses other than medical expenses.
For a couple, the net monthly income cap is $2,371.00 and resource cap of $42,312.00 plus burial accounts and a car and home of any value.
If you are unmarried and a resident in a nursing home, all your income except for $50.00 per month goes to the nursing home to pay for your care.
You are still allowed $31,175.00 in resources. Resources in your name at time of death are given to New York State unless a beneficiary in named. Funds in an Individual Retirement Account(s) and annuity(ies) are excluded from this resource cap; however, you must take maximum distribution. Your home would be exempt if you intend to return home. If you are married and your spouse is living at home, your spouse would be allowed to keep up to $154,140.00 in resources plus a car and home of any value. They would also be allowed to keep $3,853.50 per month in income plus 75% of their own income above this figure. Assets transferred after February 8, 2006, might result in a sanction for Medicaid eligibility. Each transfer of $12,241.00 could result in ineligibility for nursing home care for one month. For example, if an unqualified transfer of $40,000.00 was made, a sanction of 3.27 months from month of application could occur.
CALL INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTER FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING FOR MEDICAID at 836-0822 ext. 130
Information as of 3/7/2024