Long Term Care Spousal Impoverishment Standards

The expense of nursing home or other institutional levels of care can rapidly deplete the savings of couples. Under the Medicaid spousal impoverishment provisions, a certain amount of a couple’s combined resources is protected for the spouse who is living in the community. Depending on the income of the spouse living in the community, they may have a certain amount of their spouse’s income set aside for their use as well.

• Community Spousal Resource Allowance:
• Minimum Resource Standard: $29,724
• Maximum Resource Standard: $148,620
  
• Home Equity Limit: $688,000
  
• Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $2,288.75
  
• Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $3,715.50
  
• Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowance: $686.63
• Average Daily Nursing Home Private Pay Rate: $275.02
  
• SSI Federal Benefit Rate:
• Individual: $914
• Couple: $1,371
  
• 300% Special Income Limit: $2,742