Who qualifies
Seniors who need nursing home, assisted-living, or home-care help and meet state income/asset limits (typically $2,000 in countable assets for the applicant; spouse can keep more).
What you get
Pays for nursing home care (covered in every state) plus, in most states, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers covering personal care, adult day services, and assisted living.
Federal figures verified July 16, 2026. Sources: CMS updated 2026 SSI and spousal-impoverishment standards.
Tips that matter
Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial care; Medicaid may cover it for eligible people. Transfers for less than fair market value during the 5-year lookback can delay Medicaid LTSS coverage. In 2026, spousal-impoverishment rules can protect a community-spouse income allowance up to $4,066.50/month and resources from $32,532 to $162,660; the exact allowance depends on state calculations and the couple's circumstances.
How to apply
Apply through your state Medicaid agency. An elder-law attorney is usually worth the fee for cases over $50K in assets.
State-level help on top of this
Most states layer their own programs on top of this federal one — pharmacy assistance, property tax relief, state Medicaid waivers. Pick your state to see what's available where you live.