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LoriJo Asked August 2018

Can I work if receiving Medicaid for spousal impoverishment due to long term care?

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?

AlfredR Aug 2018
Barb is correct.  The Spousal Community Allowance will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by any income that the spouse receives, including wages, pensions, social security, etc.  If your income exceeds the allowance, then you will not receive back any of your husband's income.

BarbBrooklyn Aug 2018
It might be well worth the money to consult a qualified elder care attorney about this.

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anonymous439773 Aug 2018
The part of your husband’s income that you receive will be reduced depending on the amount of your salary. The money from his SS or pension that you have been receiving will then go toward his share of cost to the nursing home. If he has no SS or pension, they will most likely Not take any of your salary unless it is a very high salary.

BarbBrooklyn Aug 2018
I don't have direct experience with this, but I think that you are misinterpreting what you've been told.

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.
LoriJo Aug 2018
Yes, BarbBrooklyn, I am his only caregiver and had to quit work 3 years ago. My husband has a pension and disability (3200 a mo. total). The lady at the memory care facility told me I would be getting $2700 a month, which would pay for my monthly expenses here, but like I said I want to work. I am hoping that Medicaid doesn't take away the 2700 or re-jigger it as I can probably only make $1500 to $1800 a month. Thanks for the input!

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