How Do I Qualify for Medi-CAL Long Term Care

medi-cal-itc-qualificationsLegally Qualifying for Medi-Cal to Pay for Nursing Homes is Our Passion & Our Business!

Call for consultation: (818) 241-4238. Or you can submit this form to request a consultation.

Joseph McHugh, Medi-Cal Attorney and his wife, Kathy McHugh (Triage Director & Medi-Cal Expert) can help you understand the new laws in California.

Qualifying for California Medi-Cal…Asset Limits are Changing January 1, 2026

Life is always a bit crazy in California and their Medi-Cal Benefits Program! Here we go with NEW CHANGES starting 1/1/2026…

Effective January 1, 2026, California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, and the California Legislature recently announced a Medi-Cal Budget Agreement, which includes a major change for older adults and persons with disabilities who need Medi-Cal benefits, including qualifying for Long Term Care in a Skilled Nursing Home.

LA LAW Center can help you understand and move assets to qualify for Medi-Cal benefits in 2026 and beyond. Call (818) 241-4238.

Specific Asset Limits for Long-Term Care:

The asset limits to qualify for Medi-Cal will be reinstated for non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs, back to the below listed 2022 levels:

  1. $130,000 for an individual,
  2. and $65,000 for each additional household member.
  3. Assets exclude your home (residence) as this is exempt from asset count! (rental or extra properties are counted!)
  4. For couples receiving Spousal Impoverishment protections, additional asset limits will apply.

Specific Income Limits for Long-Term Care:

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers (as of April 2025 – March 2026):

  • Single Applicant: $1,732 per month.
  • Married Couple: A combined $2,433 per month.
  • Nursing Home Care has more complicated limits (call us for consultation to explain how a share of cost works for a married couple)

Medi-Cal Monthly Income Limits (as of April 2025 – March 2026):

Adults – (19-64) Below 138% of the FPL:

  • 1-person household: $1,801
  • 2-person household: $2,433
  • 3-person household: $3,065
  • 4-person household: $3,696

Children – Up to 266% of the FPL:

  • 1-person household: $3,472
  • 2-person household: $4,690
  • 3-person household: $5,908

NOTE: Asset Limits for SSI remain the same at:

  • Bank accounts, stocks, and bonds:
    • Single Individual: $2,000
    • Married Couple: $3,000
  • More than one vehicle: (one vehicle used for transportation is excluded)
  • Life insurance policies: (with a combined face value of $1,500 or less excluded)
  • Household goods and personal effects: (e.g., wedding rings, furniture excluded)
  • One home and the land it is on: (you must live there)
  • Burial spaces and funds: for you and your spouse (up to $1,500 each for burial funds)

 
LA Law can help you to keep SSI Benefits when expecting an inheritance or a lawsuit settlement!
We set up a Special Needs Trust (if you are under 65 years old) and have the money or assets go directly into this trust to protect your SSI benefits!

Please call (818) 241-4238 to get a phone consultation on how to meet these limits if you have more assets.

Surprise! Medicare Does Not Pay For Long Term Care

Nursing Home Care in California and especially in the Los Angeles area is very expensive, averaging over $11,000 per month for custodial care and sub-acute care that deals with ventilators and feeding tubes, etc., averages $30,000 a month.

Most Medicare plans pay only for an acute medical condition in the hospital 100% for 20 days and then MAYBE up to another 80 days ($209.50 a day for coinsurance for day 21-100. Medicare will try to stop paying before the 100 days).

Medicare is not guaranteed Long Term Care coverage. Medicare is for a short term for hospital and rehab time in Skilled Nursing Facilities and only pays up to 100 days.

LA LAW Elder Law Attorney, Joseph McHugh and his Medi-Cal Team can help you qualify for Medi-Cal Long Term Care Benefits that WILL PAY for prolonged Nursing Home stays without you spending your savings on nursing home care.

What Is The First Step In Medi-CAL Planning?

When planning for eligibility for Medi-Cal Benefits, LA LAW Medi-Cal Attorney and Team will review your assets and suggest how you can reallocate assets to quickly meet the eligibility requirements.

The following is some of the legal Medi-CAL services we offer to our clients:

  1. Asset Planning- Moving assets into Irrevocable Trust to be under the limits for Medi-Cal.
  2. Income Planning – How can we reduce or eliminate a Medi-Cal beneficiary’s monthly co-payment (“Share of Cost”).
  3. Medi-Cal Estate Recovery Planning – How can we reduce or eliminate Medi-Cal Estate Recovery against the beneficiary’s Estate (generally recovered in the way of a lien on the beneficiary’s home upon their spouse’s death).

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY JOSEPH MCHUGH

“The Costs of Elder Care: The Race Against Time!”

As a Los Angeles Elder Law Attorney, Joseph McHugh and his staff can suggest for qualifying for Medi-Cal and Joe explains that middle class families with modest assets CAN qualify by reallocating their assets.

After a thorough review of the best strategies for your family situation and our fees for the scope of work, we will structure a comprehensive estate plan created specifically to give you (or your loved one) the best long-term care possible, while protecting your family assets and allowing you to stay in control of your life and your money.

 

 

 
Our Law Firm is centrally located in Burbank (Southern California); however, our Elder Law Lawyer, Joe McHugh and his wife Kathy McHugh, serve many clients throughout the state and can help via phone, email and FedEx and mobile notaries needing their specialized services. We are very proud of the many personal and professional referrals we receive from happy clients and colleagues.
 
Call for consultation: (818) 241-4238. Or you can submit this form to request a consultation.