Follow
Share
Find Care & Housing
You are so right that SS isn't going to cover repairs on a home. We have a building built in 1879; you can imagine the amount of upkeep on such a thing. I wonder if you have considering, if you are of an age, selling this home and moving to a condo, even to a smaller rental easy to access and so on? The amount of help you can get on Medicaid, dependent on State (Michigan really is good for this) is not enough, either, as you mention. And you have little control over the contractor and what is done; the work must be needed for your safety and other restrictions.

As to getting your case manager, I can only say "keep trying and feel lucky you actually HAVE ONE; You are going to have to be the squeaky wheel.

So, again: Your options?
1. Get hold of that case manager and see what can be done
2. Plan for long term care that is not in-home; that is, facility care
3. Consider selling the home and downsizing to a less expensive smaller and more accessible place that is something you can have maintained by others.

I can't see many other options.
Hope others have more input for you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report

Ok there’s not much detail in the OPs post…. But I’m guessing the elderly owner of the house is now in a facility - like a NH - and they have filed for or are on their States LTC Medicaid program and the OP is family & has just discovered Medicaid Share of Cost requirements.

So Cheryl is this it??? if so, the State required copay of the elders monthly income - like their SSA - is a firm and fixed part of the LTC Medicaid custodial care program which pays for room&board costs. The only way around it is IF there is a spouse continuing to live in the home OR the elder had a genuine dependent of theirs living in the home prior to their entering a facility. Otherwise it’s on the elders family to pay all property costs of the home - allowed to remain an exempt asset while alive - that still is in the elders name till beyond their death. It’s beyond their death as the State is required to attempt to recover all cost paid from the now nonexempt asset and that is an after death action and will take time to slog through whether it’s done within probate filing or done by exemption filings or a combo of these. If you as the POA and the family cannot afford the property costs, and afford it for possibly years, it may be best to get the property inspected and appraised and sell it firmly “as is” as close to its appraised value; then the elder uses the $ to private pay for care.

fwiw families getting gobsmacked by the Share of Cost requirements come up fairly often on this site. There is little the caseworker can do as SOC is required. Once on LTC Medicaid all the elder gets to retain from their entire month income is whatever smallish amount your State has as their Personal Needs Allowance. It tends to be $50 - $75 a mom for the majority of States and more designed for paying for the elders in the facility beauty or barber shoppe costs and some clothing replacement.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to igloo572
Report
PeggySue2020 Jun 7, 2024
Even if spouse is allowed to stay, it remains their responsibility to pay taxes and other home expenses for their share.
(0)
Report
Try habitats for humanity or go on Next Door.com and ask for help from your Neighbors . I Know we Have snow angels On Next door that will dig out the elderly .
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to KNance72
Report

You could try a GO FUND ME Page also and see if you can get help .
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to KNance72
Report

Me personally do not contribute to "go funds".

You really don't give much info. If the person in LTC is on Medicaid, there is no SS or pension. It all should be going towards their care. If paying privately then you maybe able to use the SS to do some repairs. But I doubt if you can get any free help if owner is not living in the house. My Aunt, years ago, was able to get a grant for new windows and a heater. Think she got a roof too. The catch was, she needed to live in that house for another 10 years. If she left or died the cost of the repairs would be due.

Why do u need to talk to a case manager? If you plan on selling the home, it has to be at Market Value. Have an accessor come in and look at the house from the studs out. That way u will know what to ask for the house. You sell it "as is" and a little higher than Market Value, you can always go down. I allowed my realtor to access it and all she did was compare. Moms house was in very sad condition and Medicaid honored the price she set. I got a lawyer to negotiate if needed with Medicaid. As the house sat, it deteriated. It did not sell until after her death.
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to JoAnn29
Report

Public Services do not just start taking care of a persons home because they’re old. And if she is in actual ltc or nh, she’s not at home and probably not going to go home.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to PeggySue2020
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter