Palm Harbor Medicaid Attorney

Medicaid is a system where the federal and Florida state governments provide medical, nursing home, and other long-term care to qualified seniors. Qualifying for Medicaid is often overwhelming for first-time applicants, however, as there are a host of income, assets, and other limitations that must be met. Indeed, there are many residents of Pinellas County who are eligible for Medicaid but may not even realize it.

This is where it helps to work with an experienced Palm Harbor Medicaid attorney. William Rambaum is a Florida Board Certified Elder Law Specialist who has been helping clients deal with Medicaid for more than 35 years. His office can walk you through each stage of the Medicaid application process and advise you on how to legally qualify for benefits while still protecting your assets.

Who Can Apply for Medicaid in Palm Harbor, Florida?

Florida Medicaid is a federal-state partnership. This means that even if you may have qualified for Medicaid in another state, you still need to meet the specific criteria required by Florida Medicaid in order to qualify for benefits here. Some of the basic eligibility requirements include:

• You must be a resident of the State of Florida;
• You must be a United States citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien;
• You must be at least 65 years old, have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or be pregnant or responsible for a child under the age of 18;
• Your income cannot exceed a specified annual household limit.

Many of our clients are looking to Medicaid to help pay for their nursing home or other long-term care. For a single unmarried person seeking such benefits, their assets cannot exceed $2,000 and their monthly income from all sources , including Social Security, cannot exceed $2,829. (These figures are current as of 2024 and are subject to periodic change.) For married couples where both spouses are applying for Medicaid, the relevant limits are higher.

It is important to understand, however, that not every asset that a senior owns is necessarily “countable” towards Medicaid’s limits. Certain non-countable assets are considered exempt from the calculation, including the applicant’s home, their personal vehicle, and any household effects. It is also possible to legally reduce the amount of countable assets an applicant has without running afoul of Medicaid regulation. Such steps should only be done in consultation with a qualified Palm Harbor Medicaid attorney–otherwise you risk potential penalties from Medicaid officials, including the denial of your application.

Contact a Palm Harbor Medicaid Attorney for Help

We understand that applying for Medicaid is often a frustrating and confusing process. Many Florida residents simply have no way of knowing if they qualify for Medicaid or what they can do to become eligible. Our office can advise and guide you in dealing with Medicaid so that you are able to more effectively plan for the future.

If you need to speak with a Palm Harbor Medicaid attorney today, call the offices of William Rambaum at 727-781-5357 to schedule an appointment.