Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility Calculator
Check 2026 Medicaid nursing home eligibility, income limits, and spousal asset protections for long-term care.
Nursing home Medicaid uses a much higher income limit than regular Medicaid: $2,982/month in 2026 for a single applicant. Your own assets need to stay under $2,000, but federal rules protect your spouse, letting them keep between $32,532 and $162,660 plus the home. A state assessment confirming you need nursing facility care is also required.
Qualifying for Medicaid to cover nursing home or long-term care costs involves both a financial test and a medical one, and married couples get specific spousal protections that don't exist for other Medicaid pathways. Enter your details below to check where you stand on each requirement.
Check Your Long-Term Care Medicaid Eligibility
Your at-home spouse could keep:
This is the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) — 50% of your combined countable assets, protected for the spouse staying home, between a floor of $32,532 and a ceiling of $162,660. It's separate from your own eligibility above and doesn't count against your $2,000 asset limit. The home itself is also excluded while your spouse continues living there.
Your income is above the limit, but many states allow a Qualified Income Trust (sometimes called a Miller Trust), letting you deposit the excess into a special trust account to still qualify. This isn't available everywhere and isn't something this tool can calculate — discuss it with your state Medicaid agency or an elder law attorney.
Before approving any application, states typically review 5 years (60 months) of financial history for asset transfers that could trigger a penalty period. See this site's Medicaid Look-Back Period Estimator for details.
Nursing home Medicaid's income limit, $2,982 a month in 2026, is nearly three times higher than regular Medicaid's, because long-term care costs so much more than typical medical coverage. Only the applicant's own income counts toward this limit, not a spouse's, even if they're still married and the spouse stays home. Assets work similarly: the applicant needs to keep their own countable assets under $2,000, but the at-home spouse is protected by the Community Spouse Resource Allowance, keeping between $32,532 and $162,660 in assets depending on the couple's total, plus the home itself as long as they continue living there. If your income exceeds the $2,982 limit, you're not automatically disqualified. Many states allow a Qualified Income Trust that redirects excess income into a special account, preserving eligibility. Beyond the financial pieces, you also need a state or medical determination that you require a nursing facility level of care. And before approving any application, states typically review five years of financial history, called the look-back period, to check for asset transfers that could trigger a penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medicaid income limit for nursing home care in 2026?
$2,982/month for a single applicant, or $5,964/month if both spouses in a couple are applying. This is a much higher limit than regular Medicaid, since it's specific to institutional and long-term care coverage.
Does my spouse have to become impoverished for me to qualify for nursing home Medicaid?
No. Federal spousal impoverishment rules let the at-home spouse keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in assets, plus the home itself, while you qualify with your own assets under $2,000.
What if my income is above the $2,982 limit?
Many states allow a Qualified Income Trust (sometimes called a Miller Trust) that lets you still qualify by depositing excess income into a special trust account.
Does the home count as an asset for Medicaid nursing home eligibility?
Generally not while a spouse, minor child, or disabled child continues living there, up to a home equity limit between $752,000 and $1,130,000 depending on the state.
Do I need to have been diagnosed as needing nursing home care to qualify?
Yes. A state or medical assessment certifying you need a nursing facility level of care is one of the requirements, separate from the financial requirements.
Does Medicaid check my financial history before approving nursing home coverage?
Yes, generally the 5 years (60 months) before you apply, to check for asset transfers that could trigger a penalty period. See this site's Medicaid Look-Back Period Estimator for details.
This calculator provides a general estimate based on 2026 federal Medicaid long-term care rules and does not constitute a determination of eligibility or legal advice. Home equity limits, Qualified Income Trust availability, and other details vary by state. For an official eligibility determination, apply through your state Medicaid agency, and consider consulting an elder law attorney for complex situations.