Medicaid & VA Benefits

What Assets Can I Have and Still Qualify?

As of January 01, 2026, an individual applicant must have an income less than $2,982 per month. A car of any value, prepaid burial plans/plots and irrevocable funeral plans, personal effects and furnishings, and a burial account with a cash value up to $2,500 will not be counted as an asset. Medicaid laws count a homestead of greater than $752,000 in value as an asset, which would require spend-down, in most cases.

What if I Have More Assets or Income than is Allowed?

A Qualified Income Trust (QIT) can be used to hold excess income and assist in meeting the qualifications. Contact us to inquire about a QIT. Be cautious about using annuities for asset protection or giving away assets.

Who is Eligible for Veterans Affairs Basic Pension and Aid and Attendance?

A pension is a benefit that the VA pays to wartime veterans who have limited or no income and who are at least 65 years old or if under 65, are permanently or completely disabled. There are also “Death Pensions,” which are needs based for a surviving spouse of a deceased wartime veteran who has not remarried.

What are the Income Requirements for Aid and Attendance?

The claimant’s countable family income must be below a yearly limit set by law. Countable Income means income received by the claimant and his or her dependents. It includes earnings, disability and retirement payments, interest and dividends, and net income from farming or business. A claimant must report all income, but the VA will exclude any income that the law allows.

What are the Asset Requirements for Aid and Attendance?

Net Worth (the value of your assets) also affects eligibility. VA pensions are a need–based benefit, and a large net worth might affect your eligibility. All personal goods are exempt from the net worth. These goods include the home you live in, a vehicle used for the care of the claimant, and household goods and personal effects such as clothes, jewelry and furniture.