Can Someone Rent Home While Dad in Nursing Home?

by Lisa
(Texas )

Question:

My dad is in a nursing home under Medicaid benefits. He owns a home, but can no longer pay for the home since his SS check goes toward nursing home care.

Can someone live in the house and keep up with the mortgage payments while he is in nursing home care? It would not be a profitable rent, just someone making the monthly payment to avoid home foreclosure without affecting his Medicaid benefits.

Please advise as I can not find the answer to this question.



Answer:
In most states the personal residence can be rented out so long as the owner still has the ability to return. Since the exemption is based on the ability of the owner to return to the home, a long-term, e.g., 1 year, lease could argue against this.

In any event, I would check first with the Medicaid bureau in your state. My guess is that this would be allowed without loss of the home exemption.

Find out more at www.medicaidsecrets.com.