To qualify for long-term care under Medicaid, applicants must demonstrate limited income and assets. Rules vary by state, but generally, an income exceeding $2,742 per month (2023) and countable assets exceeding $2,000 disqualify applicants. Familiarizing yourself with required documentation before starting the application process is crucial.

States require applicants to prove eligibility, placing the burden on them. Besides identifying documents like a birth certificate and proof of citizenship, following are some of the documents that you may have to provide to the Medicaid agency when you apply for benefits:

• Proof of income. A copy of any pay stubs, Social Security statements, and/or pension checks; income tax returns for the past five years; and verification of any other sources of income, for example, rental income or dividends. 
• Bank records. Copies of bank statements for the past five years. 
• Property. A copy of the deed to any property owned within the past five years and a copy of the most recent property tax bill. 
• Retirement accounts. Statements for the past five years of retirement accounts to include RMD amount.
• Insurance. Copies of any insurance policies, including health insurance, life insurance, and/or long-term care insurance.
• Car registration. Registration information for any cars owned by you. 
• Burial arrangements. Copies of any prepaid funeral contracts or deeds to burial plots.

The state may use an electronic database to verify information, and providing false details is a serious offense.

Looking back five years, the state checks if you transferred assets for less than market value when applying for Medicaid, possibly leading to ineligibility. Certain assets, like personal possessions, one vehicle, your home, and prepaid funeral plans, are considered uncountable, although the state may still request information about them.

Even after starting to receive benefits, Medicaid annually reviews your income and assets, potentially requiring more documentation or electronic verification.

Given the complexity of the Medicaid application process, especially for nursing home benefits, it’s not advisable to apply without legal assistance. The process, which takes months, involves continuous inquiries and demands for further documentation. Before planning, consult with an elder law attorney.