Yes, receiving a gift can affect Medicaid eligibility. Remember, Medicaid has an asset limit for eligibility purposes, and even a small gift can push a Medicaid applicant / recipient over the limit.

Can SSI be used for gifts?

Social Security may count a gift as income. The main gifts that count as income are cash and food. Social Security won’t count the following gifts when deciding SSI eligibility or payments: Personal items and other things that will not count toward the $2,000 asset limit the month after you get them.

What to do if your spouse is not eligible for Medicaid?

If you are dealing with disability or chronic illness, but not eligible for Medicaid because your spouse has too much income or assets, you may still have a few options. Here are a few programs you may still qualify for:

Can a married person get a Medicaid waiver?

These protections allow you dedicate some of your income or resources to a spouse. If your spouse is not also applying for a Medicaid waiver, their income and resources usually won’t count. For example, in Florida, a spouse can keep $120,000 of shared assets (plus a house of course). These rules are complex, so please research carefully.

Do you have to count your spouses income for Medicaid?

In many states they will not count your spouse’s income. In some states they will only count part of your spouse’s income and savings. Find out more about Medicaid Waivers and Medicaid Long Term Care MEDICAID PLANNING – Many people take special steps to qualify for Medicaid waivers.

How does receiving an inheritance affect your Medicaid eligibility?

Therefore, the receipt of an inheritance could cause you to have greater financial means than Medicaid allows for eligibility purposes, and hence, result in Medicaid disqualification. In the month in which the inheritance is received, Medicaid will view it as unearned income (income that one does not have to work for to receive).