Live in Mass but had to rent a place in Florida to be near my mother who is now in asst living. Can I use rent as spend down?

Do you mean the rental you pay for your place? If so, the answer is no. Because the Government doesn't really care if you are near Mom or not. Unless there is something I am missing I believe you cannot.

Worried is correct. Your rent cannot be part of her spend down. It would be considered a gift. We don't get reimbursed for things we need to do for our parents.

If you are asking if you can use your moms money to pay your living expenses, no you cannot. Not for the Medicaid spend down anyway. She can’t pay someone else’s living expenses.