Could Gift Giving Be Detrimental to My Medicaid Assistance?
A person needing possible Medicaid assistance in the future should not be giving any gifts. This can be sad if that person gets joy out of generosity. But gifts in that situation can turn out to be very, very expensive.
Medicaid is the government program that covers the huge expense of long-term care, for those who are not able to pay for it out of their own pocket. But to be eligible, Medicaid applicants must be pretty much broke. They are permitted to own no more than around $2,000.00.
On the filing of a Medicaid application, caseworkers will meticulously investigate the applicant’s financial history. They are looking to see whether an applicant has given away money or assets over a period of years before the Medicaid application is filed. That period of years is known as the “look-back” period. In all states except California, that period for nursing-home care is five years under the current rules. In California the period is 2.5 years.
Depending on the size and number of gifts given away during the “look-back” period, the penalty imposed as a result could be substantial.
Many think that there would be no penalty for gifts of up to around $15,000 annually. That misunderstanding confuses tax law with Medicaid law (and it also is not quite accurate under tax law, but that is another subject). In the Medicaid context, gifts of any amount that are given during the look-back period can be penalized.
There are a number of options to protect assets and still qualify for Medicaid. For instance, exceptions include gifts to spouses and siblings under certain circumstances, disabled children, and children who are caregivers and who live at home with the elder for a span of time. But overall, gifts and Medicaid do not go together.
The Medicaid rules are complicated and the consequences for mistakes like gift-giving can be very costly. This is why it is best to consult attorneys like us, who are especially qualified by our experience and expertise in Medicaid law.
Please contact our Spokane office today or schedule a consultation to discuss your legal matters. We would be happy to help you and welcome your call.
No Legal Advice Intended. This blog includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. You need to contact a lawyer licensed in your jurisdiction for advice on specific legal issues or problems.