11 Jan HOMESTEAD EQUITY LIMIT INCREASED TO $572,000
As of January 1, 2018, the equity limit for a homestead applicant (who is single) for the nursing home and “waiver” home care Medicaid program has increased to$572,000. Thus, if the equity limit is less than that, it is a non-countable resource in determining Medicaid eligibility. There is an unlimited equity limit if the Medicaid recipient is married and estate recovery is avoided if the Medicaid applicant is survived by his or her spouse; or by a child of the applicant if the child is under 21 or the applicant’s child is blind or disabled or in cases where there is a demonstrative hardship. It should be noted that even if the applicant’s equity limit exceeds the threshold, creative options can sometimes be taken. There are also options such as enhanced life estate deeds (also known as Ladybird Deeds), transfer on death deeds, etc. that can avoid a successful claim by the state for Medicaid benefits advanced.