Dunedin Medicaid Attorney

Far too many Pinellas County seniors and other low-income residents struggle to pay for basic healthcare. Florida Medicaid is a program administered by the state and federal governments to help such individuals. The catch is that Medicaid is strictly means tested, meaning applicants must demonstrate their income and assets do not exceed certain thresholds.

This can often put potential Medicaid applicants between a rock and a hard place. They are by no means wealthy, yet what few assets and income they do have will put them above Medicaid’s eligibility limits. This is where an experienced Dunedin Medicaid attorney can help. William Rambaum is a Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law Specialist with 35 years of experience in assisting Medicaid applicants understand what they need to do to meet the government’s eligibility requirements. His team can also advise you on a number of asset protection strategies to help ensure you do not have to undo your life’s work just to get into a nursing home.

Are You Eligible for Florida Medicaid?

Medicaid is a program for residents of Florida who are United States citizens, permanent residents, or legal aliens. A qualified resident must also demonstrate they are a “low income” or “very low income” household as defined by the federal government. For the typical two-person household, for example, a low-income household is one that earns less than $27,186 annually before taxes (as of 2024).

In addition to the income restrictions, a qualified Medicaid applicant must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• they are age 65 or older;
• thy are currently pregnant or legally responsible for a child who is age 18 or younger;
• they are blind; or
• they have a disability or live in a household with a family member who has a disability.

If you need Medicaid to pay for long-term care benefits, such as a nursing home, there are separate asset and monthly income limitations to consider. As of 2024, a Florida resident seeking such long-term Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care cannot earn more than $2,829 per month in income or possess more than $2,000 in assets. Fortunately, there are many assets that do not count against this limit, such as the applicant’s personal residence or their car. Even still, it may be necessary to engage in careful Medicaid planning to ensure that an applicant’s assets do not put them over the eligibility limit.

Let a Dunedin Medicaid Attorney Help You Today

The process of applying for Medicaid benefits is often frustrating, not just for new applicants but even those individuals who have been receiving benefits for years. The reality is that Medicaid is an ever-changing set of rules and regulations that can easily trip up a person if they are not careful. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced Dunedin Medicaid attorney who can serve as your guide and advocate through this process. Call attorney William Rambaum today at 727-781-5357 to schedule an appointment.