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Hi, I have a predicament that I haven't seen discussed yet. My father just passed about 6 months ago. My mother is 86 and is doing fairly well but is beginning to decline very noticeably. I am her single 63 year old daughter and I've been diagnosed with CFS/ME. Due to my physical challenges, I have been forced to quit my job, give up my little condo and move in with my folks 5 years prior to my dad passing. Most of my life I have gotten by on a meager salary due to the fact that I never had enough energy to work more than 20 hours a week. Therefore, when my health forced me to quit I took an early retirement at 62 just to have some type of income. Because of my history of low working hours, my social security check only comes to $700 a month. My disability claim is pending but looks ominous because CFS doesn't show up on blood tests so I have no solid proof other than a diagnoses by default. I have no assets and I'm on Medicaid. My question is, what happens financially when Mom becomes unable to care for herself and we start to spend down the small amount of her savings she has to either find someone capable of care taking her or place her in a home? I know Medicaid will take over after we spend down to about $2,000 but my questions is more about whether or not they will allow me to remain in the home? $700 a month isn't enough for me to live in this house but it's the only place I can be right now. My daughter lives in Iowa but I want to be near my mom and be there as much as my health permits. Mom gets $1500 a month from social security and we've been pooling our checks to pay the bills. If they take all of Mom's social security check each month I won't be able to pay all of the bills. Is there some kind of provisions the government makes to disabled (but not on disability) adult children who have lived with their parents so as to provide shelter for them when their surviving parent ends up in a home?

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Check this link. It explains how your caring for your mom for at least two years before she needs to move to facility care could allow you to keep mom’s home. However, you would need to be able to manage property taxes and insurance and repairs on your own. Mom’s money would go for her care. You may not be able to manage that on your SSI or SSDI.
Perhaps a roommate would help?
Check with your Area Agency on Aging to see what benefits might be available for you and your mom.

https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/medicaid/caregiver-child-exemption
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Rosewood56 Mar 2020
Thank you for your help. If I need to speak to someone about this issue, who do you think would be the best person/agency/whatever...to call? Do you have a number that you would recommend? I live in Illinois. Thank you, again!!
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This might give you some answers: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/medicaid/caregiver-child-exemption#What-is-the-Caregiver-Child-Exemption?

If your mom is just now beginning to decline, the two year period Medicaid will look at (where your care helped her to stay in the home when she could be considered ready for institutionalized care) may just now be starting. It would be important to take her to the doctor to document the decline and show that the care you are giving is helping to keep her in the home. Document all medical events and her decline - take her to doctor to ensure records will be available when it is time for her to move to a facility. A note: always ask for a copy of each doctor visit summary so you don't have to ask for it several years down the road (and perhaps pay to get a lot of paperwork at one time). It is also possible that the care you provided to dad could be counted if you kept him out of a nursing home.

Not sure how much money she has to spend down to be eligible for a Medicaid bed, but managing it to keep her at home for the two year period, but it might be a good time to ask an elder attorney now. It is possible that you could get mom to set up what is sometimes called a Lady Bird deed to transfer house to you at time of mom's death - which prevents home from being involved in a probate and an asset that Medicaid would consider as hers when she passes. This would need to be done while she is still mentally sound.

All of her income is going to be used toward the expense of her Medicaid bed with Medicaid paying the balance. You won't get to keep any of it like a spouse would. They do have a provision to allow a caretaker child to stay in the home, but they don't let child keep any money. If your only income is $700 and not enough to maintain the home, what is your plan? Sell it and move closer to a child? Something else to discuss with attorney is the income you would make off the house (if you sell it) because you are on Medicaid. More than likely, you will be ineligible for Medicaid until you spend the house money down. An attorney can can direct you.
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Rosewood56 Mar 2020
Thank you so much.
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The Agency on Aging in your area may be able to provide some information and advocacy. Their services are free. I found them to be aware of benefits for my mom that I was unaware of, and THEY dealt with the Medicaid office very proficiently. This may help save your funds for details to take to an attorney.
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Get an appointment with an elder care lawyer and pay for it with mom's money. Ask what your options are and for advice about how to proceed.

Generally, it looks like you will need to start planning for living on your own. Find low income housing for yourself... Plan how far your finances will go to care for yourself... and apply for Medicaid if it will not be enough. You may also need to move ahead into putting your plans for survival into effect before you place your mom into a residential facility.
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worriedinCali Mar 2020
The OP shouldn’t use her moms money for this. Her mom isn’t the one who needs legal advice. Spending moms money like this could affect moms Medicaid eligibility.
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I don't know what state you live in but if you live in Va,she makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid.However being that you get Medicaid you can apply for section 8 n if ur mom's house is up to section 8 standard they will pay ur rent and utilities.U can contact ur local housing authority and they have other programs to help you stay in the house.If not they can find u an assisted living facility for people ur age n u will have ur own 1 bedroom apartment.They go by ur income n u pay a percentage of ur income.Example u make $700.00 a month n they want like 28 to 30 percent of what u make n some places also include utilities.The housing authority will be the best place to start.As I stated before ur mom would not qualify for Medicaid in VA with her income.However if you live in a state where it's a higher cost of living then she may be able to get Medicaid.She would have to pay for home health care however they have Medicare Advantage plans that help with cost of an aide.I know Anthem and United healthcare also has them benefits and depending on what state you live in,it's free.That Medicare Advantage plan is free in VA.U can check them out with www.Medicare Advantage.com.I hope this can help you out a little bit.Every State is different so make u check ur social services department to see if she can get Medicaid.If she does,she can get home health care for free n u can live there n u will be considered her primary care provider but if you not well enough to fully take care of her,the state will provide whatever hours she needs.

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Rosewood56 Mar 2020
Thank you so much
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Usually it’s best to find a certified elder attorney. This attorney needs to be well versed in Medicaid for the state of Illinois. Are you currently using an attorney to file for disability? If not you might find the elder attorney can advise you on your disability as well. Many attorneys will offer a free consultation. You might visit more than one before deciding on a course of action. This is an important step for your and mom’s future. Find someone you can work with. Come here and continue to post on this thread for support.
Here is a link for the AAA for Illinois.
https://www.agingcare.com/local/illinois-department-on-aging-springfield-area-agency-on-aging-il
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Every area has a local area on aging and if you have local office on aging (call your city hall to ask) they will assist and get you hooked into whatever programs are available. You also might want to touch base with an elder law attorney if you can swing it, or legal aid, to make sure everything is documented and set up as it should. They might benefit you as well due your own circumstances.
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You might have to look into low income housing. Only a spouse is allowed to keep a home when the other is on Medicaid and in a nursing home.

Have you looked into getting home care for your mother? Medicare and Medicaid might pay for that. That way, you both can live in the home.
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my2cents Mar 2020
Definitely ask Medicaid worker about some kind of in-home health care. Perhaps phys therapy to keep her moving. With you on Medicaid, you might be eligible for some in-home therapy as well. Sometimes you can get a few hours of help for bathing or cleaning up.
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Some states do let children who have been living in a home with their parent retain ownership of a home. But it sounds like you may not be able to afford to stay there anyway. Low income housing is probably going to be your best option. You should qualify for food assistance and possibly assistance with utilities. Since you are already drawing social security I doubt disability will be approved but it is worth a shot.
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See if you might qualify for free legal aid.
https://www.cdelaw.org/
312-376-1880
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