The money question, answered plainly

Does my parent qualify for Medicaid to pay for a nursing home?

When a parent needs long-term nursing-home care, the cost is frightening — often more than $100,000 a year — and Medicaid is how most American families end up paying for it. This page helps you get oriented fast: a short estimator to see if your parent likely qualifies, a plain-English walk-through of the rules, how Medicare fits, and where to get real help.

This is an estimate, not an eligibility determination — and not legal or financial advice. Medicaid rules vary by state and change every year, there's a 60-month look-back on gifts and asset transfers, and only your state Medicaid office can decide eligibility. Use this to understand your situation, then confirm with your state or a professional before acting.

A short, plain-language explainer — with sound.

Read the narration

Will Medicaid help pay for a nursing home? For most families, the answer depends on income and assets, and the limits change from state to state. Medicare covers short-term rehab, but long-term care is usually paid privately or through Medicaid. Our free tool shows the 2026 limits for your state, in plain language, so you can plan your next step with confidence.

Quick eligibility estimate

Answer five questions. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere — this runs entirely on your device and gives you a plain-language read on where your parent likely stands.

Answer five quick questions to get a plain-language read on whether your parent likely qualifies for Medicaid to help pay for a nursing home. This is an estimate, not advice— it's not an eligibility determination and not legal or financial advice, and nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.

1. What state is your parent in?

Optional. The estimate uses federal baseline figures; your state may set different limits — we'll link you to your state's exact numbers with the result.

2. Is a spouse still living at home?

No — single / widowedYes — married, spouse at home

A spouse at home triggers extra protections that often change the outcome for couples.

3. Their monthly income (before taxes)

Social Security, pension, and any other regular income, per month.

4. Their countable assets

A rough countable total is fine — leave out the home and one car.

5. Do they own their home?

YesNo

Fill in income, assets, and home ownership to see an estimate.

Medicaid limits in your state (2026)

The estimator above uses federal baselines, but the real numbers are set state by state. Pick your parent's state to see this year's single-applicant limits for nursing-home Medicaid — income, assets, how to qualify if income is over the limit, and the home-equity cap — with a link to the source for every figure.

These are 2026 estimates, not a determination. State figures change every year — and sometimes mid-year — and differ by marital status and program (nursing home vs. home-and-community waiver). Several states have no fixed income cap; instead almost all income goes toward the cost of care. Where we couldn't verify a number it reads “Check with your state.” Always confirm with your state Medicaid agency or an elder-law attorney before acting.

Choose a state to see its 2026 figures

Pick your parent's state above to see its limits, or scan the full table of all 50 states and DC below.

Scroll to see all columns

2026 nursing-home Medicaid limits, single applicant — all 50 states + DC
State	Monthly income limit	Asset limit	If over income	Home-equity limit	Source
Alabama	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$1,130,000	View
Alaska	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Arizona	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Arkansas	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
California	Income goes to cost of care	$130,000	Spend-down	None	View
Colorado	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$1,130,000	View
Connecticut	Income goes to cost of care	$1,600	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
Delaware	$2,485	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
District of Columbia	$2,982	$4,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
Florida	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Georgia	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Hawaii	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
Idaho	$3,002	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Illinois	$1,330	$17,500	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Indiana	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Iowa	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Kansas	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Kentucky	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Louisiana	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Maine	$2,982	$10,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
Maryland	Income goes to cost of care	$2,500	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Massachusetts	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
Michigan	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Minnesota	Income goes to cost of care	$3,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Mississippi	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Missouri	Income goes to cost of care	$6,220	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Montana	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Nebraska	$1,330	$4,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Nevada	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
New Hampshire	$2,982	$2,500	Spend-down	$752,000	View
New Jersey	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
New Mexico	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
New York	$1,836	$33,038	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
North Carolina	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
North Dakota	Income goes to cost of care	$3,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Ohio	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Oklahoma	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Oregon	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Pennsylvania	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Rhode Island	$2,982	$4,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
South Carolina	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
South Dakota	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Tennessee	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Texas	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View
Utah	Income goes to cost of care	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Vermont	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Virginia	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Washington	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$1,130,000	View
West Virginia	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Wisconsin	$2,982	$2,000	Spend-down	$752,000	View
Wyoming	$2,982	$2,000	Miller Trust	$752,000	View

Figures for all 51states and DC were compiled from the American Council on Aging's 2026 state eligibility pages, last reviewed July 2026. Each row links to its source. The “asset limit” is countable assets only — the home, one car, and personal belongings are usually exempt.

Medicaid limits by state

Open a dedicated 2026 guide for any state — its income and asset limits, how to qualify if your parent is over the limit, spousal protections, and how to apply.

How Medicaid eligibility actually works

To have Medicaid pay for a nursing home, an applicant generally has to be under both an asset limit and an income limit. Here are the federal baselines — your state can differ, sometimes a lot.

Asset (resource) limit

$2,000

In most states, a single applicant can have up to about $2,000 in countableassets. A few states set far higher limits. The home, one car, and personal belongings usually don't count.

Income limit

$2,982/mo

In “income-cap” states, monthly income above about $2,982(300% of the federal SSI benefit) must be routed into a Qualified Income Trust. In “medically-needy” states, you spend the excess down on care instead.

Spouse-at-home protections

up to $162,660

If a spouse still lives at home, they can keep a separate share of the couple's assets — between $32,532 and $162,660 depending on the state — plus a monthly income allowance of $2,643.75 to $4,066.50.

What “countable” assets means

The asset limit only counts some of what a person owns. Exempt (non-countable) assets typically include the primary home (while a spouse or the applicant lives there, up to a state home-equity limit of $752,000–$1,130,000), one vehicle, personal belongings and household goods, and a modest burial fund. Countable assets are things like bank accounts, most investments, and additional property.

The 5-year look-back

When someone applies, the state reviews the previous 60months for assets that were given away or sold for less than fair value. Gifts in that window can create a penalty period during which Medicaid won't pay. So the safest move is to talk to a professional before moving any money — not to give assets away hoping to qualify.

Income-cap vs. medically-needy (spend-down) states

States handle “too much income” in two different ways. Income-cap states require a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) to hold income above the cap. Medically-needy stateslet applicants “spend down” income above a threshold on medical and care costs each month, and qualify for the rest of that period. Because the path depends on where your parent lives, an over-the-limit result on the estimator above means “it depends” — not “no.”

Medicare vs. Medicaid for long-term care

These two programs sound alike but do very different jobs. Medicare is health insurance for people 65+ (and some younger people with disabilities); it pays for doctors, hospitals, and short-term skilled recovery — but it does not pay for long-term custodial nursing-home care. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program for people with limited income and assets, and it is the primary payer for long-term nursing-home care in the United States — which is exactly why the rest of this page focuses on it.

What Medicare covers (and where it stops)

Medicare covers short-term skilled care only — for someone recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery — for up to 100 days per benefit period, and only after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days.

Days 1–20: covered in full — you pay nothing per day (this care falls under the Part A benefit period, which carries a $1,736 hospital deductible in 2026).
Days 21–100: you pay a daily coinsurance of $217 (as of 2026).
Day 101 onward: Medicare covers nothing — you pay the full cost.

Once skilled coverage ends and the need becomes long-term custodial care, families pay privately, use long-term-care insurance, or turn to Medicaid. That's exactly why so many families end up here.

How long does Medicare cover rehab in a nursing home?Medicare vs. Medicaid for nursing-home care

Which assets count — and which don't

The asset limit only measures countable assets. A lot of what a family owns is exemptand doesn't count at all, which is why the raw bank balance is rarely the whole story.

Usually exempt (doesn't count)

The primary home — while a spouse, the applicant, or a dependent lives there, up to a state home-equity limit of $752,000–$1,130,000 (2026).
One vehicle used for transportation.
Personal belongings and household goods — furniture, clothing, appliances.
Irrevocable burial or funeral funds and a designated burial plot.
Certain life insurance — typically term policies, and whole-life policies below a small face-value threshold.

Usually countable

Checking, savings, and money-market accounts.
Most investments, stocks, bonds, and CDs.
Retirement accounts (treatment varies by state).
A second home or additional real estate.
Additional vehicles.
Cash value in larger whole-life insurance policies.

The specifics — especially how a state treats retirement accounts and life insurance — vary. Treat the list above as the general shape, and confirm the details for your state.

Protecting a spouse who's still at home

When one spouse needs a nursing home and the other stays at home, federal spousal impoverishmentrules make sure the at-home (“community”) spouse isn't left with nothing.

Assets the at-home spouse keeps (CSRA)

$32,532–$162,660

The Community Spouse Resource Allowancelets the at-home spouse keep a share of the couple's combined assets — between $32,532 and $162,660 depending on the state (2026) — on top of the applicant's own limit.

Income the at-home spouse keeps (MMNA)

$2,643.75–$4,066.50/mo

The Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance lets the community spouse keep $2,643.75 to $4,066.50of monthly income — and some of the applicant's income can be shifted to reach it.

These allowances often flip the outcome for married couples: a household that looks “over” on paper can still qualify once the community spouse's protected share is set aside. Because the exact figures and how assets are titled matter, this is a common reason families talk to an elder-law attorney.

See the federal spousal-impoverishment rules on Medicaid.gov.

Being over the limit isn't the end — but do it the right way

Families who are over the asset or income limit often still become eligible. The safe, legal way to get there is with a qualified elder-law attorney — not by giving assets away, which triggers the 60-month look-back penalty.

Below are approaches families commonly discuss with an attorney. None of these is do-it-yourself advice — each one has state-specific rules and can backfire if done wrong.

Qualified Income Trusts (Miller Trusts): in income-cap states, a legal trust that holds income above the cap so an over-income applicant can still qualify.
Spending down on care and allowed costs: paying for care, medical bills, and other permitted expenses reduces countable assets without violating the look-back.
Irrevocable funeral trusts / prepaid burial: converting countable cash into an exempt, irrevocable burial fund.
Paying down debt: using countable assets to pay off a mortgage or other legitimate debts.
Home modifications and needed repairs: spending on the (often-exempt) home rather than holding countable cash.

The right combination depends entirely on your state, your family, and timing relative to the look-back — which is exactly the judgment an elder-law attorney provides.

How to apply — and common mistakes to avoid

You apply through your state Medicaid agency — online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Gathering documents first makes the process far smoother.

Documents you'll likely need

Proof of income (Social Security, pension statements).
Bank, investment, and retirement statements — usually several months back, to cover the look-back.
Life-insurance policies (with cash values).
The deed or lease for the home.
Proof of identity, citizenship/residency, and Medicare cards.

Common mistakes

Giving money to family to “qualify” — this triggers the 60-month look-back penalty.
Assuming an over-income or over-asset result means an automatic “no.”
Missing spousal protections for a married couple.
Cashing out or mishandling exempt assets like the home.
Not appealing a denial you believe is wrong — you have the right to appeal.

A denial isn't always final, and small paperwork gaps are the most common reason for delay. When in doubt, a free SHIP counselor or an elder-law attorney can help you file cleanly the first time.

Where to get help — free and low-cost

You don't have to figure this out alone — and the best help is often free. Every resource below is a legitimate government or non-profitservice. We're not affiliated with any of them and we're not paid to list them; they're here because they're the real resources. We deliberately don't point you to for-profit “Medicaid planning companies” — for paid help, use the NAELA attorney directory below.

Your state Medicaid agency

The only office that can actually determine eligibility and give you your state's exact asset, income, and home-equity limits.

Best for: Everyone — this is the official first stop and the final word on eligibility.

Find your state's Medicaid agency

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

Free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling on Medicare and Medicaid, available in every state. Not a sales line.

Best for: Families who want a real person to explain how Medicare and Medicaid fit together, at no cost.

Find your local SHIP counselor

Eldercare Locator (Administration for Community Living)

A free federal service that connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging and other benefits help.

Best for: Finding local aging services, caregiver support, and benefits screening near you.

Call 1-800-677-1116.

Search the Eldercare Locator

NCOA BenefitsCheckUp

A free non-profit screening tool from the National Council on Aging that finds benefit programs an older adult may qualify for.

Best for: Seeing the full picture of benefits — not just Medicaid — your parent might be eligible for.

Screen for benefits (BenefitsCheckUp)

Elder-law attorney (NAELA directory)

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys lets you search for a member attorney by location.

Best for: Anything involving spousal protections, the home, trusts, the look-back, or a spend-down plan.

Find an elder-law attorney (NAELA)

PACE — Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

A Medicare/Medicaid program that provides coordinated care so someone who needs nursing-home-level care can stay in the community.

Best for: Families exploring whether care at home is possible instead of, or before, a nursing home.

Learn about PACE (Medicare.gov)

Medicaid.gov spousal impoverishment page

The federal source for the current community-spouse resource and income allowances (CSRA / MMNA).

Best for: Confirming this year's federal spousal-protection figures directly from the source.

Read the federal spousal-impoverishment rules

Look at homes near you

When you're ready to compare actual facilities — including which accept Medicaid — search every licensed nursing home near you with its official inspection rating.

Best for: comparing real nursing homes once eligibility is on track.

Search nursing homes

Families also ask

How much money can my parent have and still qualify for Medicaid?

In most states a single applicant can have up to about $2,000 in countable assets (as of 2026). A few states set much higher limits. Their home, one car, and personal belongings usually don't count. If a spouse is still at home, that spouse can keep a separate share — between $32,532 and $162,660 depending on the state. These are federal baselines; your state sets the exact figures.

What if my parent's income is over the limit?

Being over the income cap (about $2,982/month in 2026) is rarely a flat "no." In "income-cap" states, the extra income goes into a Qualified Income Trust (sometimes called a Miller Trust). In "medically-needy" states, your parent can "spend down" the excess on care and medical costs each month to qualify. Which path applies depends entirely on the state.

Does Medicare pay for a nursing home?

Not for long-term (custodial) care. Medicare pays only for short-term skilled care — up to 100 days per benefit period after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days. Days 1–20 are covered in full (after the Part A deductible); after that you pay a daily coinsurance of $217 through day 100 (as of 2026), and Medicare covers nothing beyond day 100. For an ongoing stay, families rely on private pay, long-term-care insurance, or Medicaid.

What is the Medicaid look-back period?

When someone applies for long-term-care Medicaid, the state reviews the previous 60 months (5 years) for assets that were given away or sold for less than they were worth. Gifts made in that window can trigger a penalty period during which Medicaid won't pay. This is why families should talk to a professional before moving money — not give assets away to qualify.

Can I still protect the family home?

Usually a primary home is exempt from Medicaid's asset limit while the applicant, a spouse, or a dependent lives in it — up to a home-equity limit your state sets (between $752,000 and $1,130,000 as of 2026). After a Medicaid recipient's death, states can seek repayment from the estate ("estate recovery"), which can include the home. An elder-law attorney can explain your state's rules.

How does Medicaid protect a spouse who's still at home?

Federal "spousal impoverishment" rules let the at-home ("community") spouse keep a share of the couple's assets, called the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) — between $32,532 and $162,660 depending on the state (as of 2026) — on top of the applicant's own limit. The community spouse can also keep a monthly income allowance (the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance) of $2,643.75 to $4,066.50. These protections often change the outcome for married couples, so it's worth getting them right.

Which assets don't count toward the Medicaid limit?

Many things a family owns are "exempt" (non-countable): the primary home while a spouse, the applicant, or a dependent lives there (up to a state home-equity limit of $752,000–$1,130,000), one vehicle, personal belongings and household goods, an irrevocable burial/funeral fund, and certain small life-insurance policies. Countable assets are things like bank accounts, most investments, a second property, and extra vehicles. Only countable assets are measured against the limit.

Can't we just give the money away to qualify?

No — and doing it can backfire. The state reviews the previous 60 months (5 years) of transfers. Gifts or below-market sales in that window create a penalty period during which Medicaid won't pay, calculated from the amount transferred. There are legitimate, legal planning steps, but they're specific to your state and situation — which is why families work with a qualified elder-law attorney instead of moving money on their own.

What is a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust)?

In "income-cap" states, if monthly income is over the cap (about $2,982 in 2026), the excess income is deposited into a Qualified Income Trust — also called a Miller Trust — which is used to pay toward care under strict rules. It's a legal tool that lets over-income applicants still qualify in those states. An elder-law attorney sets it up correctly; it isn't a do-it-yourself step.

What happens to the home after my parent passes away?

The home is usually exempt while your parent (or a spouse or dependent) lives there. But after a Medicaid recipient's death, states are required to try to recover what Medicaid paid from the estate — known as "estate recovery" — which can include the home. There are exceptions and protections (for example, a surviving spouse), and an elder-law attorney can explain how your state handles it.

How do we actually apply for Medicaid?

You apply through your state Medicaid agency — online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Expect to document income (Social Security, pensions), assets (bank, investment, and life-insurance statements), the deed or lease for the home, and identity and residency. Gather several months of statements before you start, since the state verifies the 60-month look-back. If a decision seems wrong, you have the right to appeal.

Is this estimator an official eligibility decision?

No. It's a plain-language estimate that compares your numbers to federal baseline figures. Only your state Medicaid office can determine eligibility, and the rules vary by state and change every year. Use this to get oriented, then confirm with your state or a professional.

Sources & last updated

Figures on this page are federal baselines for 2026, last reviewed July 2026. States set their own limits within federal ranges and update them yearly — always verify with your state Medicaid office.