What can a spouse keep if the other spouse needs nursing home Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

The DHS page on Medicaid and long-term care says special rules protect community spouses from impoverishment by allowing them to retain a protected share of resources. For 2026 it lists a minimum of $32,532 and a maximum of $162,660. Figures are updated, so verify them with DHS or an attorney before relying on them in a sale plan.

The same page says the home is exempt from countable resources when a spouse or dependent lives in it, or when the applicant lives there or plans to return and its value is at or below $752,000. So a healthy spouse can often stay put. A sale changes the picture, because cash replaces an exempt home.

If the couple sells the home and moves, the proceeds may count in the resource review. How they are split, spent or invested can matter. The 60-month look-back also applies to transfers. Do not move money between spouses or to children without advice from an elder law attorney.

Collect deeds, mortgage statements, bank statements and records of any transfers. Ask the county assistance office what it requires. This page is general information and not legal advice. The details of spousal protection are complicated. Write down a list of questions before your first meeting with an elder law attorney, including how a house sale would change the numbers and how long the county review takes.

A spouse who needs to downsize may want a sale that does not depend on repairs or showings. Kaizen Home Buyers buys houses for cash, as-is, with no repairs and no agent commission. We can make an offer within 24 hours and close in 14 to 30 days, or on the date you choose. Call 267-329-0084.