I'll be paying my Mom's AL $3000 per month. Can we claim her as a dependent on our taxes?
Mom Social Security is $700. Per month and her medical is about $ 350.00 she will be out of her own money by October so I will pay for her care. She has dementia and needs 24 hour care. Can she qualifying for Medicaid?
It sounds like she has very limited income, so I would certainly see an Elder attorney about it. Make sure they focus on Medicaid and they know the details about what will qualify her. I would do that immediately, as there are legals things you can do to ensure she qualifies. You might have to forego claiming her as a dependent though.
The attorney can explain how her qualifying for funds to pay for her Memory Care are vital, but so are medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare. From my experience Medicaid will pay what Medicare does not, so there is very little out of pocket. Sometimes there is a little out of pocket for medications. This out of pocket comes from the monthly amount they allow the recipient to keep. Your mom would receive a small amount each month from her SS check that she would be able to use for her personal use. It's not much, but everything else is covered.
What state are you in? Each state handles it in their own way. In NC, those with dementia, who cannot care for themselves and/or those who have another disability, are entitled to extra help. She would need a doctor's sign off on that.
I will add that with dementia patients who eventually need to have all their daily needs taken care of, the costs is normally much higher than $3000.00 per month.
If you are providing more than 50% of her support, you can claim her as a dependent, but if Medicaid is paying the bulk of it, you cannot. The sticky part is that if you are paying $36,000 a year, Medicaid may deny the application.
It does not sound like an ALF will take her. They may direct you to a Nursing Home. Most facilities help sort out the financial benefits available, including SS and SS supplements, widows of veterans VA and Medicaid. For Medicaid, you will need to gather the past 5 years of financial documents for her.
You need to see an Eldercare attorney who is well versed in Medicaid. I understand that you wish to be generous, but if your mom has dementia, her needs (and the cost) will escalate. You really don't want to do something that will interfere with her eligibility for her own benefits. Before you sign on as the responsible party, please consult an attorney who does this for a living.
Best source for the specific details are the IRS publications. I don't recall the specific number of the publication, but you could start with the 1040 instructions and check the deductions section. I do think there's one that deals specifically with medical expense deductions and the qualification for paying them on behalf of someone else.
I'm not conversant on Medicaid, but there are others who here who hopefully will see this post and offer advice.
You're a generous person to take care of your mother this way. I hope the placement works out well for all involved.
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The attorney can explain how her qualifying for funds to pay for her Memory Care are vital, but so are medical expenses that are not covered by Medicare. From my experience Medicaid will pay what Medicare does not, so there is very little out of pocket. Sometimes there is a little out of pocket for medications. This out of pocket comes from the monthly amount they allow the recipient to keep. Your mom would receive a small amount each month from her SS check that she would be able to use for her personal use. It's not much, but everything else is covered.
What state are you in? Each state handles it in their own way. In NC, those with dementia, who cannot care for themselves and/or those who have another disability, are entitled to extra help. She would need a doctor's sign off on that.
I will add that with dementia patients who eventually need to have all their daily needs taken care of, the costs is normally much higher than $3000.00 per month.
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I'm not conversant on Medicaid, but there are others who here who hopefully will see this post and offer advice.
You're a generous person to take care of your mother this way. I hope the placement works out well for all involved.