Follow
Share

There are some programs that I can get some discounts due to him being on Medicaid if he is in my household. That would save me some money as money is tight.


When I get surveys and fill out forms, I am still counting him as part of my household. Am I wrong to do so?


Thanks.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
It may be best not to know the answer to your ‘household’ question, because then if you get questioned you can plead innocent ignorance. It would be more credible if you are still supplying him with some things even though he is in the NH.

This might be a good time to reconsider your whole situation. Your DH at 69 may live for a long time. Your profile says you ‘live out in the country’, which I know myself can actually mean less exercise, not more. I also know that it may be hard to make friends, if you don’t have a lot in common with the neighbours and you aren’t a long term local. It may be sensible to consider downsizing yourself, and moving to somewhere better for visiting DH, and better for you. Don’t let the animals rule your life, rather than you rescuing theirs.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
We downsized to this house from Texas. This is a VERY small house. I retired from rescue when we moved from Texas. I only have 4 dogs now. 2 of them over 14 and so I won't have them much longer. They don't rule my life. I actually have made a new friend who just moved up here from Texas although she lives about 30 minutes from me. I have been thinking about going to the senior citizens center to play some games with them up there. Plus I finally talked the husband into letting me take the computer up to the nursing home and we are video facebooking every day. So I am not as lonely as I was when I wrote that note months ago.
(2)
Report
Do you file taxes as a married couple?

I think that makes him a member of your household.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
Yes, we file taxes as husband and wife.
(0)
Report
I am with Burnt here. His legal address is now the NH. Thats where he lives. Thats were he gets Medicaid services, like dental and vision. If Medicaid is paying for his care, they have his address the NH.

If money is tight, you may be able to get help on ur own. I would talk to Social Services.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
Thanks. :)
(1)
Report
I never changed my mother's legal address to either of her nursing homes, so I'd say that yes, he is.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Your husband is not part of your household for programs like food stamps, utility assistance, rent assistance, etc... because he does not live with you and he is not dependent on you for food, shelter, and utilities. The nursing home provides this to him. You do not.
You say he's on Medicaid. This means Medicaid is paying for him to be in the nursing home. He is not part of your household because you do not provide food, shelter, or utilities for him. The nursing home does.
I would not advise you to try to fraudulently try to get benefits by claiming him as your dependent. You might get away it, but you might not. It's not worth taking the chance.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
Thanks. I don't want to take a chance, so I won't ask for anything. But I am still going to be filing our income taxes together as a married couple since our social security checks are deposited to our account and I pay my share of the nursing home fees as well as bring him clothes, snacks, and anything else that he needs to the nursing home. I do think that I will still count him as part of the household on independent surveys too.
(0)
Report
I'm with BurntCaregiver. If the prerequisites are that he is on Medicaid AND is living in your household -- he isn't -- so the answer is no, you can't claim/count him if he doesn't physically live with you and he's not really a financial dependent in any way.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
I will not take a chance then. Thank you. ;)
(1)
Report
I agree with "No," he is not part of your household. He does not live in your house. Claiming that he is dependent on you as a household member is fraudulant.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Wanderdragon Nov 2022
Thank you. :)
(1)
Report
Your husband is considered to be living in an institution and is no longer part of your household. That is the technical term for facilities such as nursing homes.

Call your area on aging and ask them how you can get help. Just because your husband is on Medicaid does not mean that that's the only way for you to get some help.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

No
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Wanderdragon: As your husband's PHYSICAL address is a nursing home, he is not part of your household. However, for purposes of income tax status, you should consult your certified public accountant/tax preparer for your query. In regard to discounts individually/for yourself, you should contact your locality's COA (Council on Aging).
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter