On this spend down thing, can my Dad give out his usual Christmas gifts of money to his kids and grandkids?

shellyander, I agree with your intentions, mom also wanted to gift away her money rather than spend it on a nursing home. Fortunately we stopped her from doing that. She paid for her nursing home and died with only one month's payment in reserve. The Medicaid application was filled out and ready to submit. That saved her dignity, her pride and her independence.
Let me suggest this: it is time for gifts to flow the other way. The kids and grandkids should be sending money to him, to care for him, he deserves that.

Five year look-back at finances. Not just from time you apply going forward. Check with your state's office. You don't like or agree with the opinions here, that is fine. people were trying to give you benefit of experience. No worries here. In Texas they did not expand Medicaid and it can get nasty with spend down. One month private pay is very little compared with the amount Medicaid will pay going forward for years hopefully for your dad staying alive a long time needing care. My great grandmother lasted 10 years. My grandma lasted a year and blew through seven figures of Coverage.

I will be paying the home for at least 1 months stay as part of his spend down. so I am not trying to take advantage of the system by any means . i do agree that such a small amount of money for Christmas gifts should not cause a problem. and anyway he is not on Medicaid until he has spent down, so isn't it his business what he does with it as long as he will be paying what Medicaid would have??

shelly, I believe reasonable gifts for Christmas do not cause problems with Medicaid. Since you have applied, you can ask your case worker what would be reasonable for your dad to give. It is always better to get answers directly from the expert handling your case.

yea its not like he even has thousands to give away, we are talking like 175- 200 bucks total. this he could do even if he didn't need to spend down. they do get to keep at least 2000.00 . so i dont see the big deal about it

Medicaid says that if you have money to give away you have means to pay for care. Not bogus, just holding folks who are getting care paid for by government I.e. Taxpayers to the standard that they are impoverished. otherwise all would give money to church, family, charities and empty public coffers from truly poor.

NO NO NO ask Medicaid. NO

I think it really depends on how much money we are talking about, giving 5 kids each $20 is a whole lot different than gifting the extended family with thousands ...

In a word, NO. This is considered "gifting" money. I know he feels he wants to give gifts to everyone, but this isn't allowed. "Spend down" is spending on himself. We all could give our money to our kids and live off the government if this was ok.

ok just NO!!. This is really bogus! what if he has already given these gifts?

NO!!!!!