New Bottom Limit of the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance

Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance

Announced by the Department of Health and Human Services 

If a nursing home recipient of Medicaid assistance is married, he or she is called the Institutionalized Spouse (IS) and his or her spouse is the Community Spouse (CS). The income of the CS is not deemed available to the IS at any time for the IS’s care. Although the CS is able to keep all of his or her own income, if the CS has no income or insufficient income, then other rules apply. In such a case, the CS is entitled to receive a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Allowance which is comprised of a basic monthly allowance and a monthly excess shelter allowance.

The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced new poverty income guidelines for 2012. The new guidelines mean that the lower limit of the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance will rise to $1891.25, effective no later than July 1, 2012. The current amount is $1838.75.

Please call our office if you have questions about the Medicaid application process or how the rules might affect you.
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The Law Offices of Jeremy W. Howe, LTD. are ElderLaw attorneys in Rhode Island who specialize in wills and trusts, estate planning, guardianship, probate, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits.

They also are Newport Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers, Attorneys, Mediators, and Arbitrators providing services for family law issues such as divorce, child custody and visitation, support, and military family law. 

Call them today at 401-841-5700 or visit them on the web at http://www.CounselFirst.com.