Taking care of yourself while providing support for your spouse that receives long-term care benefit can become a difficult task. The spouses of Medicaid applicants are protected by Medicaid laws to ensure they have the minimum support necessary to live while their husband or wife receives long-term care benefits.
The local Medicaid agency determines the well spouse’s minimum income level or the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA). It is calculated with a formula based on his or her housing costs.
Effective on July 1, the MMMNA has increased for the well spouse. Previously it ranged form $1,966.25 to a high of $2,980, but now the allowance can only be as low as $1,991.25. If the well spouse’s income is lower than the assigned MMMNA, he or she may be entitled to some or all of the couple’s monthly income.
In extreme cases, the well spouse may request an increase in the amount of MMMNA received either by appealing to the state Medicaid agency or by obtaining a court order of spousal support.