Should Medicaid count Surviving Spouse Benefits?

This is your mother's asset at this point. Your assets stand to pay for your care. So, yes, your mother's assets count.

You should know that every case is individual and esp. given that each state is different. I would see an elder law attorney for options here.

Confer with Elder Law Attorney

Have you applied for Aid and Attendance for her?

The pension is income, not an asset, I believe.

I think Medicaid can count all income. Pensions are part of t hat.

If you are going for a nursing home then its all income coming to her that is counted. When I got my BIL on Medicaid first I had to spend down what he had in IRA's, cash out his life insurance which went for his funeral, and any other funds he had. In my case I had to close down his bank accounts(I was his representative payee). In my state I had to spend down his finances under $2000 once I did that I applied for Medicaid and it was granted to him. The letter from Medicaid stated he had to pay the NH said amount which was his SS and pension minus $50 which goes into a fund at the NH for him.

Where my BIL is in a memory care NH the rates for a day run $260 a day it comes to $7800 to $8060 a month. So being on Medicaid is the right choice because he doesn't have that amount with his finances.

Medicaid wants all income whether its pension or social security. What comes in Medicaid needs to know.

Have you checked with the VA on care for your mother because some VA benefits offer care in addition to what your mother has. I know of a situation where the VA came in and provided care for an individual also had an account set up for that person to pay for other things needed. I would check with them. Have your father's DD214 so that you can see if there is any help out there for your mother.

Prayers.

Any income your mom has is countable. Your mom is in the same unfortunate spot that my mother was in....doesn't bring in enough money to take care of herself (memory care) but makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid. We had to hire an elder lawyer and set up a Miller Trust because mom made too much. I will tell you...it is pain in the butt because every month you have to move money from your moms account into the Trust and then pay bills out of the Trust. Keep receipts for everything and re-apply every year. Her bank account has to be below $2,000 by the end of every month. It would be much easier if she had nothing, then Medicaid would pay for everything and you wouldn't have to jump through hoops and play the shell game with her money.

Life insurance can not be taken. Life insurance happens after death and if there are beneficiary’s it can not be touched by nursing homes. Only assets

isitrly: The pension is countable as income to your mother. Retain an elder law attorney.