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My parents have lived with us for 10 years now. My mother was recently diagnosed with S3 dementia. We need to get her someplace where they are better equipped to work with her. They only have social security income. No life insurance and moderate savings account. When we looked into Medicaid, they said she would be eligible for a Medicaid waiver but have too much money in savings to qualify. They would have to spend their savings down to less than $4000 and then they could apply for Medicaid. In the meantime they would have to pay out of pocket. Medicaid can take up to 4 months to qualify. How do you spend the savings down, then have not enough money to pay for AL while waiting for Medicaid to approve.

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Dayvsee: Retain an attorney.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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You go ahead and spend down their savings, and apply for Medicaid when their savings is nearly depleted (down to the last $4000). Don't worry so much about the timing. The assisted living, or a care home which accepts Medicaid payment, will not kick them out while the Medicaid application is pending. They will get paid retroactively, and this is how it works with most of their patients, who suddenly and unexpectedly find themselves in a nursing home without the funds to pay for it. Social workers are aware of this and will often help residents (or their families) complete the application for Medicaid assistance.
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Reply to CaringWifeAZ
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So sorry about the difficulties that you & your mother are having. It is very hard on everyone involved. The only suggestion I have come up with is to see if you can pay the AL facility for a number of months at once in order to reduce your mother's savings to $4,000, then immediately apply for Medicade for your mother. I hope that this helps. Best of luck to your mother & your family.~ 🙏 ✝️ 💜
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Reply to Cowgirlnurse
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Happy Garden is correct. When you need expert help and advice it's best to go to the experts. That means that for legal help you go to an attorney, Elder Law in this instance. They can help you arrange such things as Miller Trust or Q.I.T trusts to arrange money so that one's income doesn't preclude their getting help when they have no funds for that help.
Do understand, however, that most ALF are private owned and private care and don't often accept Medicaid patients. Mostly nursing homes accept those on Federal programs.
Wishing you best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Your parents need to split their assets so she can get Medicaid. Her split can go towards her care and when almost gone, Medicaid is applied for. But an Elder Lawyer is needed to do this. Dad can remain in the home, have a car and some or all of their monthly income to support himself.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I would consult an elder care attorney to help with the process, especially if only your mom needs care and your dad will remain living in the community. If that’s the case, he is entitled to keep a certain amount of assets and share of social security / it varies by state.
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Reply to HappyGarden
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