Florida’s New Personal Needs Allowance
Recently, Florida increased the personal Medicaid needs and allowances for Institutional Care. Initially, the payment was $105.00 per month. After the increase, the total allowance became $130.00 per month. The increment meant that individuals will be receiving more updated institutional care and Medicaid benefits.
What is the Florida personal needs allowance?
The personal needs allowance is customarily created by the Medicaid ESS policy guide section 2640.0118. Florida permits nursing home residents that are on the long term care program of Medicaid to collect an amount of $130.00 per month. The allowance is used for upkeep and purchasing personal needs.
How does the Florida Medicaid Personal Needs Allowance increase help Florida seniors?
In a nutshell, if the Medicaid benefit added to a patient’s income is fully paid to the facility then there should be an allowance accepted for personal needs. The small fee, which is at times referred to as “lagniappe” allows the nursing homes to have an extra amount in the form of perhaps
- An interesting new novel
- A magazine subscription
- A Netflix subscription
- Chocolates
- A few glasses of wine at the end of the month
What Items are Typically Purchased with Personal Needs Allowance Funds?
The seniors can choose to utilize their personal needs and allowances for whatever needs they desire. Naturally, the allowance given for personal needs is used for requirements such as:
- Haircuts
- Salon and hairdresser activities
- Clothing
- Magazines and Books
- Favored-brand hygiene and necessary toiletry products
- Supplements and Multivitamins
- Vending machine snacks
- Birthday cards to send to family
What Happens if the Medicaid Recipient Does Not Use Up Their Entire Personal Needs Allowance Before the End of the Calendar Month?
It is not necessary that the personal needs allowance to be used by the end of the month. But, the Medicaid receiver should be cautious not to let the allowance accumulate such that they will exceed the manageable amount of $2,000 in total assets. Assets include all the sources and average personal needs allowance.
The eligibility of a Medicaid recipient becomes invalid if the assets exceed $2,000. Here, the Medicaid recipient or trustee agent who is powered by a valid attorney should be on the lookout for this development. Utilize the personal needs allowances because they will prevent the senior person from being viewed as Medicaid ineligible. An attorney from The Mattar Firm will help you identify the risk of accumulating assets without the right safekeeping.
Is the Personal Needs Allowance Subject to Change?
Yes. The personal needs allowance keeps on changing. In fact, the allowance used to be $35.00 per month. In 2014, the needs were increased to $105.00 per month. This amount was later raised to $130.00 in July 2018. The law is subject to change and there is no restriction that prevents the Florida legislature from decreasing the individual needs allowance amount.
The personal needs allowance in Florida was raised to $130.00 by July 2018. When the law was being edited, in January 2019, the amount did not change. So, the Medicaid planning lawyers should protect the assets before they are diminished since Florida law is ever changing.
If you have further questions or you need clarification regarding Medicaid for your loved one, please contact The Mattar Firm. Our experienced Medicaid planning lawyers will get back to you in the shortest time possible.