New Jersey’s Department of Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS), the state agency that administers Medicaid, released 2019 NJ Medicaid income eligibility standards today.

The new standards raise the income limits for a variety of Medicaid programs.  Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) is the program that can pay for long term care, whether with home health aides, or in a nursing home or assisted living facility.  The MLTSS income “cap” was raised to $2,313.  People with gross monthly income over this figure may still qualify for Medicaid using a Qualified Income Trust (QIT).

In addition, the limits for other aspects of MLTSS were revised as well.  If one spouse needs long term care but the other does not, the healthy spouse is allowed to keep part of the couple’s assets, within certain limits.  The amount the healthy spouse can keep is called a Community Spousal Resource Allowance, or CSRA, by many elder law attorneys.

The CSRA is calculated using a complicated formula, and you should contact FriedmanLaw to find out more information about your specific situation.  That said, New Jersey has a minimum and maximum figure for the CSRA.  In 2019, the minimum is $25,284.00, and the maximum is $126,420.00.  This is a significant increase, and should be welcomed by Medicaid applicants.

Finally, when one spouse needs long term care but the other does not, the healthy spouse may be able to keep part of the ill spouse’s income.  This also is subject to a complex formula, and the numbers that govern that formula were revised upward with the other 2019 changes, in line with the rising cost of living.

If you or a loved one is interested in Medicaid, long term care, asset protection planning or other elder care law needs, please call or email FriedmanLaw today.