Medicaid asset limit; we need a temporary fix as she's not spending anything due to the pandemic.

Question

Medicaid asset limit; we need a temporary fix as she's not spending anything due to the pandemic.

Follow

Share

Thanks for listening and I'd appreciate any advice. A nursing home resident on Medicaid normally spends the $50 she's allowed to keep each month, but lately she's not spending anything due to the pandemic (and the flu prior to that.) In house hair salon is closed due to social distancing. Nursing home outings are cancelled for the time being and facility is on lockdown. There's nothing to spend money on right now and she's approaching her asset limit of $2000 as a result. She does not need clothes or personal care items right now. Any ideas on what else she's allowed to spend money on in order to stay below the limit? Nursing home is telling me the funds can be spent on "anything." I am not so sure. Can I give a $10 gift to each grandchild or something like that just to get rid of the money? Even that would only be a temporary fix since every month she gets to keep an additional $50.

Asset Limits Medicaid Medicaid Spend Down

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

27 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First

For April, give each grandchild $10-$20 and call it an Easter gift. No one is going to question that, Medicaid won’t know because they don’t look at the accounting for the PNO. Could she use a new TV in her room? A fancy walker? I would try to think of anything that is considered a luxury to those in a nursing home & with only $50 a month to spend on themselves. Are any grandchildren, nieces or nephews graduating high school or college this year? She can give a small graduation gift. Does she wear a robe? Splurge on a luxury robe.

Helpful Answer (4)

Report

Sounds good. Thank you. I'll probably do the small gifts to the grandkids - which will keep her below the limit for now. Could you tell me what PNO stands for? It's funny that you suggested a robe because DIL bought her a nice robe a while back but elder refuses to wear it at NH because it's "too nice" of a garment. Not sure when or where she plans to actually wear it since she is a long term placement, but we have played along. I'm also going to think about your TV idea - which then got me thinking about a new phone (she keeps dropping hers and yanking the plug out so there's got to be wear & tear on it). Great ideas. Thanks.

(1)

Report

See 1 more reply

Well meaning people have tried electronics to help keep her connected and busy, but she forgets how to use them and then thinks items are "broken" or she's too embarrassed to admit she forgot how to use (or even forgot she had the electronic in the first place). Step by step cheat sheets either get thrown out or she claims she followed the instructions "exactly" but the tablet/laptop/etc still isn't working. Even her wall phone is too much sometimes - trying to use it when it's unplugged, blaming other people for the fact that it's unplugged, forgetting area codes, not entering the right number of digits to make a call.... it's been fun!

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

We put our numbers on speed dial. It helps caregivers to just push a number for mom. Also posted the speed dial numbers they know when she wants to call her grand daughter it is #6.

(1)

Report

See 1 more reply

Special needs trust. ...

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Can't get a Special Needs Trust passed the age of 65. Not sure if you want to go thru the cost of setting one up. It needs a lawyer and a court proceeding. It cost my nephew 5k for the lawyer and took over a year to set up. It also is only for disabled people.

(2)

Report

Have you paid for her funeral? If not, I would start making payments towards it. Mum has already paid for her cremation and when step dad died 18 months ago he had paid for his. It makes life much easier.

Helpful Answer (7)

Report

PNA can only be spent on the person it is for. You need to show a receipt to the person who handles the accounts at the NH to receive payment. This is if NH is payee. If you are handling the PNA, it should be going to the acct her cap is in. Medicaid asks for copies of statements at time of yearly re-application. They may question any money taken out of her acct. Even the cap your allowed (2k) can only be spent on her. Once your on Medicaid no gifts can be given.

I would call her caseworker at Medicaid and run this by them. They may allow the overage under the circumstances.

Helpful Answer (8)

Report

Medicaid isn’t going to question small withdrawals. Especially if her accounts stays under the $2k limit. If it does, they aren’t going to look at anything because she’s allowed $2k and it can be spent on literally anything she wants.

(2)

Report

See 4 more replies

When is the renewal? That would be the time they look at the acct. You may be able to get her under the 2k by then. I agree her hair being done would take most of the PNA. Give a nice big tip. As Moms caseworker told me, be creative.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Check with her children who don’t happen to have kids. Giving money to grandkids is unfair to her childless children. Give each of her children an Easter check and they can distribute to their own children.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

While I see what your saying I’m not sure I agree unless of course the parents are being overlooked. I mean giving an equal gift to each grandchild doesn’t seem unfair to her children (parents or not of those grandchildren) since that generation isn’t benefiting or not benefiting in any way. I guess I just don’t see the connection since the gifting is skipping a generation as long as it’s equal amongst the generation that is getting the money gift.

(1)

Report

See 4 more replies

When my mother moved into a sheltered living apartment. We got her a new phone that has a spot to put 3 pictures. So she can see the picture and push the button and it connects to the caller. My sister programmed it with her picture, my picture and my brother. Got the phone on Amazon. It was not expensive and although she does not use it a lot, she is able to call us.

Helpful Answer (4)

Report

How about an electronic picture frame so her grandchildren end children can send her pictures? We got the PixStar for my parents. There is nothing she has to do on e someone sets it up for her. When a new picture comes in there is a small beep, but if she is not paying attention it does not matter because the picture automatically keep rotating. Give one of her children ad inistrative rights so for her. It is just like a TV. The one thing is that she needs to have an internet connection, but many facilities have free wifi.

(2)

Report

See 1 more reply

Is it possible to use these funds on some type gift card for her to use later? Just curious as we never had to do this for my parents.

I do like the getting the hair done and leaving a nice tip for the stylist. Anyone who is willing to work in a NH or AL facility deserves a big tip!

Helpful Answer (6)

Report

Not sure what state the nursing home is in your situation. My spouse's snf in did not allow the resident to hand a tip to the hairdresser. The rule was couched as funds could only be used directly for the resident's benefit. A tip to the hairdresser was considered a tip. A tip was then a gift. He was not allowed to gift anyone - including buying a family member or visitor a cup of coffee. Rules are established to prevent fraud and taking advantage of the elderly, but they can also be carried out to the extreme.

(1)

Report

About the robe she won't wear b/c it's "too nice"...

Remove it for a while so she'll forget about it...

Then launder it so it doesn't look brand new...

Later, take it back to her and say you have "this robe that doesn't quite fit you right, but it's so pretty that you'd like her to have it, so it won't go to waste."

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

One of the local ladies is making quilts and wall hangings with dogs on them as well as masks, and she's giving her profits to the local dog shelter. I have bought several lap robes from her with mthr's money for mther. Mthr was a big dog lover and if she were in her right mind, she'd love to support this cause. By buying goods from local craftsmen, you would be helping the local economy as well as keeping your mother's balances lower. Even etsy purchases would help.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

Wonderful idea!

(0)

Report

My friend has been using a restaurant takeout service to deliver sandwiches to her NH sister, just for food variety. They really enjoy this. Why not have NH LO use her own money to order a special food item to be delivered? A caution - she had a snafu the first time since the office staff was in shift change and didn't handle it appropriately - AND the order had my friend's name on it (who ordered it) instead of the person for whom it was intended. So, not a smooth process, but the first time for everything is usually rocky.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

This shows what can and can't be used with a PNA acct.
It says "gifts to relatives in excess of $25.00" Doesn't say in total or individually. I will assume individually which means you can give each grandchild something.

https://www.cga.ct.gov/PS99/rpt%5Colr%5Chtm/99-R-0025.htm

Please note too, that the PNA account goes to the person's Estate when they pass. So for those people being told by any NH it goes back to the state, they are wrong. I can see this happening if a person is penniless and has no family, then eventually the State claims it as unclaimed money.

Helpful Answer (3)

Report

My Dads money came to me. After he died. There was no estate. He was a Medicaid recipient.

(0)

Report

See 1 more reply

I am a Power of Attorney for someone in a nursing home and faced the same situation many times. There is NO family so I did not want to endanger her losing the money. I had arrangements made to have several donations in honor of her in her name sent to her favorite charities. That is perfectly legal and acceptable. The charities can use the funds. She does not lose the extra money and she is helping where it is truly needed. Problem solved.

Helpful Answer (10)

Report

Entertainment comes to mind: books, magazines, pay per view movies, crafts, hobbies, snacks...

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Why not purchase items - on line that she could use later? Personal items, food, a new pair of shoes. I wouldn't think it would be hard to use $50 a month for something she could really use - either now or in the future.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

consider a comfortable chair, comfortable pillows decorations for her room, curtains, a air mattress, favorite food and snacks that can be frozen at your house, games, activity books, journals, pens, subscriptions to magazines, stationary, greeting cards, fancy cell phone, iPad, radio, camera, upgrade wheelchair, price of getting pictures printed, tv, cable, internet, cost of attorney to get legal documents drawn up, cost of notary public, a portrait of her paid for her now for the future, all things she may need in the future that can be stored for later. I don’t know if you can buy gift certificates but if you can that would be good. I know that Christmas presents are allowed.

Good luck.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

You all have so many ideas - WOW That is what is so great about asking the right people.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Unless, things have changed since we were in this situation, she can "gift it to you" Of course, you can hold onto it for later. Or put it in your gas tank for visits. Or spend it on food.. , Yes, the nursing home is right...just get it out of account, and "spend" it on anything. Pay for cable, cell phone, etc.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

I am pretty sure that when you are acting as a fiduciary for someone else, it would be a red flag for Medicaid and a problem for the fiduciary if funds began to flow from the recipient to the fiduciary.

(1)

Report

You could spend it through Amazon for items that don't have an expiry date, e.g. some toothpastes, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, etc.

Helpful Answer (5)

Report

If she is a christian she could have a prayer wall of letters or pictures, or an album. She could give a monthly amount and pray for the recipient daily. Prayer warriors are extremely valuable in the Kingdom.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Who doesn't need a cashmere cardigan or silk thermal underwear? Get busy online. The desperate small retailers will be grateful.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

Pre-plan and pay for her final arrangements, including a casket, grave marker, service.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

Unfortunately, she probably has very few friends/associates/family who could physically attend such an event, but her funeral was prepaid with the proceeds from the sale of her house. The only thing not paid yet is we will need some kind of private security to be there due to one deeply dysfunctional person who will likely show up at the funeral and cause a potentially dangerous scene. It would not be the first time police had been called on this person, so we might as well just have security there and ready. However, I'd likely cover that cost myself to give this lady a nice sendoff without disturbances from crazy people.

(1)

Report

Check- I believe the asset limits are temporarily suspended. She may have a surplus when the limit is lifted but they are expecting this and shouldn’t penalize for some time.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

I did renew her AARP membership - which took care of part of the overage for the moment. She likely does not need much of what AARP offers at this point, but I do take her the magazines they send.

Helpful Answer (0)

Report

Just wanted to point out that some state Medicaid programs allow the PNO/personal needs allowance to be given away. I know it was discussed earlier in the thread and some said it couldn’t be used to give children and grandchildren monetary gifts. But it’s really state specific and some states do allow the money to be given away entirely. Doesn’t have to be for a specific reason.

Helpful Answer (1)

Report

If her nursing home has wi-fi, ask maintenance to install a digital electronic picture frame that you can put pictures on from home. A way to stay connected during this pandemic.

Enter digital electronic picture frame on Amazon: Feelcare is one brand that comes up.

Helpful Answer (2)

Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

Medicaid asset limit; we need a temporary fix as she's not spending anything due to the pandemic.

27 Answers

Recent Questions

Popular Questions

Related Questions