Once accepted by Medicaid her SS check goes toward her care. She will receive $50 per month for you to take care of her personal needs such as haircuts
I also am on my mother's checking account. We recently had to file for LTC here in NC. This is what we had to do: 1. They have a look back period of five years. I needed to give statements showing where her money went. 2. If I paid for anything on my card and transferred money into my account, I provided receipts even if the purchase was an online purchase. 3. From what the Medicaid Specialist told me, they don't overly scrutinize small transfers or purchases less than 2,000 dollars. 4. I had to provide her SS Pension Statement, Retirement Statement, etc. 5. I had to provide documentation of any life insurance, funeral preneed arrangements, and other assets. Then I spent down her money so that she met the need for LTC Medicaid. Instead of paying the government, I paid the LTC facility. In essence, what was in her account, that is what was owed to the LTC facility. What her money couldn't pay, Medicaid pay for the rest.
Its her money, not yours. As such, you use it for her care. If she wants, she can make you a beneficiary. That way, when she passes what is in the acct is yours. If she ever needs Medicaid though, she will be spending down any money she has.
Do not co-mingle your money. With Medicaid, any money in Moms name is considered Moms unless it can be proven otherwise.
You write out checks to the LTC for your mother's care. When her assets and funds are gone then you make application for Medicaid. Dependent on how much she has in assets totally may dictate what property (if she has any) you sell for her care.
Once on Medicaid it may be difficult to get any ALF to accept that; most are private pay. So before placing your mother you should try to find a facility that will accept Medicaid once her assets are gone.
If you do not understand POA well, know that your bookkeeping of every single penny in and every single penny out must be meticulous. It is held to the highest standard of Fiduciary under the law. Your mom may also want a private small spending account of her own that you oversee. So if you don't know what your duties are I would suggest an elder law attorney to help get educated. A POA on an account is different than a co-owner and you don't want any mingling of yours and your mom's monies. You will need folders, monthly accountings and receipts for your files.
Yes, you will need to spend that money on her care until the account is low enough where you could then apply her for LTC Medicaid. Make sure the money is spent for her needs and her care, the people in charge of approving LTC Medicaid will ask for all of her and possibly your bank accounts to make sure the money was spent appropriately.
Do not co-mingle your money. With Medicaid, any money in Moms name is considered Moms unless it can be proven otherwise.
When her assets and funds are gone then you make application for Medicaid.
Dependent on how much she has in assets totally may dictate what property (if she has any) you sell for her care.
Once on Medicaid it may be difficult to get any ALF to accept that; most are private pay. So before placing your mother you should try to find a facility that will accept Medicaid once her assets are gone.
If you do not understand POA well, know that your bookkeeping of every single penny in and every single penny out must be meticulous. It is held to the highest standard of Fiduciary under the law. Your mom may also want a private small spending account of her own that you oversee.
So if you don't know what your duties are I would suggest an elder law attorney to help get educated. A POA on an account is different than a co-owner and you don't want any mingling of yours and your mom's monies. You will need folders, monthly accountings and receipts for your files.
I wish you the best. It is quite a job.