Can I sell my house while on Medi-Cal?

Asked by: Jazlyn Kiehn  |  Last update: November 30, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (20 votes)

IRC Section 121 Exclusion. Oftentimes, the personal residence is sold during a Medi-Cal recipient's lifetime for various reasons. If the home is in the recipient's name, the personal residence will now be converted to a non-exempt asset, cash, and the recipient will no longer qualify for Medi-Cal.

Does selling a house count as income for Medi-Cal?

➢ Do assets affect my eligibility? Starting on January 1, 2024, assets, such as bank accounts, cash, a second vehicle, and homes, will no longer be counted when determining Medi-Cal eligibility. Income and income from assets, such as income from property, will continue to be counted.

Will I lose Medicaid if I sell my house?

The answer is no. The house is an exempt asset, and most states will not require that you sell it, in order to qualify for Medicaid. If you DO sell it, however, the proceeds are not exempt.

Does Medi-Cal put a lien on your house?

Medi-Cal places a lien against the benefi- ciary's property while the beneficiary is still alive so it can seek recovery when the individual passes away or when the property is sold. Passage of the ACA raised questions about whether and how Medicaid recovery rules would be applied to the newly eligible population.

Will I lose my benefits if I sell my house?

As long as what you're receiving is a Social Security benefit and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then the fact that you sold your house won't have any effect on your benefits.

Will Medi-Cal Force Me To Sell My Home?

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Will my Medicare go up if I sell my house?

Selling your home could lead to higher Medicare premiums if your taxable income sees a boost. Although your Medicare benefits shouldn't change when you sell your home, your monthly premiums may. It depends on whether the sale of your home affects your taxable income.

Does selling a house affect disability benefits?

“There is no limit on the amount of cash and assets you can have and still be eligible for Social Security benefits, so if you're receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you won't lose those benefits due to selling your home,” he added.

Can Medi-Cal take your house?

After the Medi-Cal recipient dies, the state will send the heirs or survivors an “estate recovery claim” asking for payment for the amount of Medi-Cal benefits paid on behalf of the deceased individual. The state does not put a lien on the home and the state does not take away your home.

What assets are exempt from Medi-Cal?

As of January 1, 2024, there is no longer an asset limit for all the Medi-Cal programs listed below, except for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For SSI, the asset levels are $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Your income determines the Medi-Cal program for which you qualify.

How to protect assets from Medi-Cal in California?

Proper elder law Medi-Cal planning is having all assets held in a decedent's revocable living trust to avoid both probate and Medi-Cal recovery. It is very important to plan for your loved ones by having a revocable living trust.

How can I avoid losing my home to Medicaid?

Medicaid cannot take one's home if they live in it and their home equity interest is under a specified value. In other words, the home is exempt; it is not counted towards Medicaid's asset limit of $2,000 (in most states). Home equity is the home's value after subtracting any debt against it.

Will I lose my Medicaid if I inherit a house?

California stands apart from the other states. In CA, Medicaid (Medi-Cal) recipients can gift inheritance, which is considered “income”, the month in which it is received. Furthermore, Medi-Cal recipients have no asset limit, and therefore, can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for long-term care benefits.

How to avoid nursing home taking your house?

7 Ways to Protect Your Home From Being Taken
  1. Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance. ...
  2. Sell or Transfer Assets. ...
  3. Create a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. ...
  4. Choose Home Health Instead. ...
  5. Form a Life Estate. ...
  6. Purchase a Medicaid-Compliant Annuity. ...
  7. Pay With Your Life Insurance Policy.

What are the new rules for Medi-Cal 2024?

Basic Information. Beginning January 1, 2024, a new law in California will allow adults ages 26 through 49 to qualify for full-scope Medi-Cal, regardless of immigration status. All other Medi-Cal eligibility rules, including income limits, will still apply.

Can I sell my house and get Medicaid?

Note: California stands apart from the other states. CA eliminated their Medicaid (Medi-Cal) asset limit effective 1/1/24. Medi-Cal applicants and beneficiaries can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for Medi-Cal. They could sell their home and it have no impact on their eligibility.

How do I avoid Medi-Cal estate recovery?

The State of California is prohibited from the recovery of any Medi-Cal expenses used if there is a surviving spouse until the surviving spouse passes away. Also, if there is a minor child under the age of 21 or a blind child, or a disabled child, then the State is prohibited from any Medi-Cal recovery.

How much money can I have in my bank account if I have Medi-Cal?

For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information. » I was not eligible in the past.

What income disqualifies you from Medi-Cal?

You must financially qualify for Medi-Cal. Most single individuals will qualify for Medi-Cal if there income is under $1,676 per month. Most couples will qualify if their income is under $2,267 per month. If you have disabilities, your income can be slightly higher.

How can I protect my assets from Medi-Cal?

There are different types of trusts, such as irrevocable trusts, which can be particularly useful for asset protection. Once assets are placed into an irrevocable trust, they are no longer considered part of your estate, thus shielding them from potential creditors, including those seeking payment for medical bills.

Does owning a home affect Medicare?

Owning a home does not directly affect your Medicare coverage, but it can have implications for your overall financial situation, which may indirectly impact certain aspects of your Medicare Plan.

Do you have to pay back Medi-Cal if you inherit money?

The Medi-Cal Estate Recovery program must seek repayment from the estates of certain Medi-Cal members after they die. Repayment only applies to benefits received by these members on or after their 55th birthday and who own assets at the time of death.

How much can Medicaid take from an estate?

A Medicaid agency cannot collect more from one's estate than the amount in which it paid. For example, if the state paid $153,000, but one's estate is worth $300,000, Medicaid can only take $153,000. With MERP, all states are required to seek recovery from the deceased Medicaid recipient's “probate estate”.

Will my Social Security be reduced if I sell my house?

Selling Your Home While on Social Security Benefits

After you sell your home, you have three months to buy a new home. If you buy a new house in those three months and still have less than $2,000 in assets, you'll retain your benefits.

Does selling a house affect Medicare benefits?

The sale of your home could affect your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if it results in a significant capital gain that increases your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above certain thresholds.

How much money can you have in the bank on social security disability?

How Much Money Can I Have in the Bank While on SSDI? As mentioned earlier, SSDI does not limit the amount of money you can have in your bank accounts. You can save money, check accounts, or acquire other financial assets without worrying about losing your SSDI benefits.