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I was living in Florida at the time, but we gave up everything to move back to Maine to take care of her. We moved in with her planning to be only a short while but when we saw the situation it was worse and I knew I would not be able to manage two households. I was able to keep her out of long term care for 8 years and in her own home but eventually at 90 she had to go to assisted living. It was desperation I had no choice but to sign her up for Maine Care for financial help. I stayed in the house the past 3 years because this has been my home but now she passed last Thursday and now I am horrified the state will take our home away. I basically have no place to go. I work in a hospital but do not have the money to buy or rent, as I have been taking care of this house. Does anyone have any advice? I am worried sick

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MaineCare will place a lien on the house now that your mother has passed.When you get the lien notice contact them. You may be able to stay in the house. Be prepared to show that you can pay the upkeep, taxes, etc. Show that you kept your mother out of a facility as long as possible. However if you sell, Maine Care will have to satisfy their lien from the proceeds. Talk to Maine Care they will try to work with you to stay in the house. They really want to recoup money. They are not in the real estate business.

I live in Maine and know several people who have stayed in the house.
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Please don't get overwhelmed. Medicaid has to try and recover what they spent on Moms care. Now she has passed her home is now an asset they can try to recover against.

You should receive a recovery letter. You will say there is an asset, the house and someone resides in it and has resided there since before the recipient entered LTC. That for 8 yrs you were her sole caregiver. You may have to prove that you have the income to keep taxes up and upkeep on the house. If Medicaid allows you to stay, the lien will remain on the home and will need to be satisfied at ur time of death or you sell or leave the house.

You will send the form back and wait for a decision.
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In most states, if a child cares for a parent at home when they would otherwise have needed NH level care, MERP allows the caregiver child to remain in the home. The lien is transfered to the time of the child's death. Call Legal Aid or a the local Area Agency on Aging for assistance.
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If the house's FMV is more than the lien to Medicaid, Medicaid can't just take the whole thing. However, they can force the sale of the home eventually to get their share.

If the Medicaid bed cost $6,000/month at their prices, after three years that's $216K. They won't come after you instantly, but in time. Are their other heirs in line? If the house can't be sold, then who's paying for the property tax? You?
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