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My FIL is in a Washington State care home. He has dementia. He has spent down all his assets but his allowance for Medicaid is $5200 but since he gets $5500 from a pension he apparently can only afford a $5500 place. I thought the $5200 would add to his $5500 but I guess that isn't how Medicaid works. It seems to be either/or. His NH says he has increased care needs and wants to charge $10k or more/month. What happens if he can't afford it? which he can't. We can't afford it either and we can't care for him at home. We are a little panicked that he'll either be out on the street or we will be forced to pay. Any suggestions?

Please see an attorney about this. Your father is "asset poor and monthly income rich" so he is going to have to have an attorney write up a Miller Trust or a Q.I.T. document for him so that a portion of his income (likely his SS) will go into that Trust (for which the state will be the beneficiary) and the rest of his income to a facility. along with Medicaid, to pay his monthly costs.

This is complicated. An attorney can explain option and how this is done.
Good luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Yes, he needs to an attorney to set up a Miller trust to structure his income for Medicaid approval. You can also contact a state social worker for help. One thing for certain, please do not spend a dime of your own money, it is unnecessary. Contact a state social worker, they do not allow dementia sufferers to die on the street.
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Reply to mstrbill
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Yes to the QIT. You will need to find out if his home state requires an attorney to set it up or not, this requirement varies by state.
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Reply to Geaton777
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