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Then that means serving spouse is left with only social security of 800 a month, so they will be out on streets. Does Medicare also take your home if paid for so that now that spouse has no home. Elder lawyers are expensive, and many seniors who need them the most can’t afford them

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I believe you have Medicare and Medicaid confused. Please look in the resources page of this site to learn the differences.
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Reply to Sandra2424
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You’re reading false information. My family’s experience, Mom used Medicaid after burning through a long term care insurance policy living in a nursing home. The nursing home took all of her small SS check. My dad kept all of his SS check, all of his pension, all of the money in their checking and savings accounts, and continued to live in their home. He kept one car and sold one car. His life and finances were unchanged by mom using Medicaid. It was not a nightmare at all
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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You are not the only senior who may need to apply for Medicaid. Most seniors, however, have planned sufficiently to have funds to see an Elder Care attorney to help them.

Over dramatizing the process of asking the government for help is unnecessary. Neither you nor your spouse will be left homeless if you do.

A lien is sometimes placed on a home in order to recover the costs incurred TO Medicaid BY the senior. It's called MERP.

I suggest you calm down, stop listening to hearsay, and call around to elder care attorneys in your area who offer free consultations.

And remember. You are not destitute if you own a home that's paid for in full! Many, many seniors do not. But those who do often choose to sell the home, pocket the large amount of cash and downsize.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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The rules and regulations vary by state. Medicaid will require an asset threshold that the community spouse will be able to have without a claw back but it is best to consult with a professional. The community spouse will not be left "impoverished ".

The long term care facility will be able to provide some assistance but it will be best to see an attorney even for a consultation. You indicated in a follow up post you are unable to afford one. I would contact state/county department of aging services to see if you qualify for assistance. They can provide better available sources that you may not be aware of.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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My general advice, without knowing more about the OP's situation, is that if someone has enough money that they'll need to spend it down to be eligible for Medicaid, the person has enough money to consult an elder law attorney about how to spend down the money to be eligible for Medicaid.
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Reply to Rosered6
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Nobody is out on the streets, the spouse can remain in the home the rest of their life after the assets are split. And Medicaid doesn’t “take your house” or “take all your money”. They provide, using taxpayer money, the medically necessary care regardless of ability to pay. Why does everyone act like a victim that Medicaid expects you to chip in what you can, when it’s reasonable to do so.
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Reply to Slartibartfast
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Stapes Feb 16, 2026
I’m new to this, have some grace, it’s bad enough going through this
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You need to see an Elder Lawyer to split your assets. The spouse who needs care split goes to their care and before the money is gone Medicaid is applied for. At time Medicaid takes over, the Community spouse gets to remain in the home, keeps 1 car and gets enough or all of the monthly income to live on.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Stapes Feb 16, 2026
Can’t afford elder atty, some of us just cant
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You mean Medicaid. Medicaid is administered by each state in their own way, so if you want to know what's coming you can go to your state's Dept of Health to read what the qualifications are, or talk to a certified elder law attorney or a Medicaid Planner for your home state.

Medicaid does not physically take homes, it puts liens on homes that need to be satisfied before the new owner can actually own it.

Read more here:

https://www.agingcare.com/topics/104/medicaid

... and you need to understand the difference between Medicare and Medicaid:

https://www.agingcare.com/topics/106/medicare
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Reply to Geaton777
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Stapes Feb 16, 2026
It was a typo, didn’t sleep at all last night
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I think you mean Medicaid?
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Reply to MomsBrain
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