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: $27,480
• Maximum Resource Standard: $137,400
  
• Home Equity Limit: $636,000
  
• Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $2,177.50
  
• Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance: $3,435
  
• Community Spouse Monthly Housing Allowance: $653.25
• Average Daily Nursing Home Private Pay Rate: $268.21
  
• SSI Federal Benefit Rate:
• Individual: $841
• Couple: $1,261
  
• 300% Special Income Limit: $2,523