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Medi-Cal Eligibility if the Applicant Owns a Home, but it's Uninhabitable

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  • 05-01-2013, 09:38 PM
    shinwa
    Medi-Cal Eligibility if the Applicant Owns a Home, but it's Uninhabitable
    I am trying to help my friend obtain medi-cal(California). She currently lives in San Mateo County with her elderly mother who is taking care of her. She owns a home in Sonoma County, but it is not occupied as she said it is in unliveable condition. The house is under her and her ex-husband's name, and she has somehow lost touch with her ex-husband years ago, and he does not seem to care about this property. According to her, she cannot sell or rent out the house, and has no money to revovate it. She is currently disabled and homebound. Is there any way she could qualify for Medi-Cal and IHSS? Her income is below 900/month.

    Thank you.
  • 05-01-2013, 09:53 PM
    Disagreeable
    Re: Medi-Cal Eligible if Person Does Not Live in the "Unliveable" Home She Owns
    It appears she might qualify for Med Cal, though she may need to pay a small amount. 1/2 ownership in a home that she is not living in, if its value is over $6k will disqualify her from IHSS, based on their guideline info online.
  • 05-03-2013, 09:47 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Medi-Cal Eligibility if the Applicant Owns a Home, but it's Uninhabitable
    Your friend should consult a lawyer about trying to resolve the ownership issues relating to the home. If she's eligible, various legal aid organizations are listed here.

    Asset limits for Medi-Cal are described here, first in relation to primary residence:
    Quote:

    Quoting The Home
    totally excluded, if it is the principal residence. Includes mobile home, houseboat, or an entire multi-unit dwelling as long as any portion serves as the principal residence of the applicant, and buildings surrounding, contiguous to, or appertaining to the residence. The property remains exempt if a person in a nursing home or the person's representative expresses an intent to return home on the Medi-Cal Application and Statement of Facts, or if an "exempt" individual resides in the home, such as a spouse, a minor, blind or disabled child (of any age) or a sibling or son or daughter who has lived in the home continuously for at least one year before the applicant entered a nursing home. Note that when the home is exempt, it can be transferred without penalty and without affecting the Medi-Cal eligibility.

    As you say she cannot make the home her primary residence, next in relation to other real property:
    Quote:

    Quoting Other Real Property
    can be exempt if the net market value of the property ( assessed value or fair market value, whichever is less – minus any encumbrances such as mortgages, loans, etc.) is $6,000 or less and the beneficiary is "utilizing" the property, i.e., receiving yearly income of at least 6% of the net market value. Property used as a business can also be exempt if it meets the standards under the program, i.e., it is actually used as a business, reported to the IRS as such, etc. – see below for details on other real property and business property.

    From what you write, the property could pose a significant impediment to Medi-Cal eligibility. What is the approximate market value of the home? Wasn't the division of the home addressed in your friend's divorce judgment?
  • 05-03-2013, 09:38 PM
    shinwa
    Re: Medi-Cal Eligibility if the Applicant Owns a Home, but it's Uninhabitable
    Thank you for your help! I will contact the San Mateo Legal Aid Office.
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