How much money can you have in the bank and still qualify for Medicaid in Texas?

Asked by: Brent Pollich  |  Last update: June 21, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (19 votes)

In 2025, a single Medicaid Nursing Home applicant in Texas must meet the following criteria: 1) Income under $2,901 / month 2) Assets under $2,000 3) Require a Nursing Home Level of Care.

Is there an asset limit for Medicaid in Texas?

Medicaid asset limits

Single: $2,000 for all Medicaid programs. Married applying jointly: $3,000 for all Medicaid programs. Married with only one spouse applying: $2,000 for the applicant and $154,140 for the non-applicant for Institutional Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers; $3,000 for Regular Medicaid.

Does Medicaid check your bank account in Texas?

Medicaid verifies an applicant's income by checking regular deposits and sources of funds. They also verify their addresses to comply with residency requirements. Moreover, bank statements help prevent Medicaid fraud.

Can you get Medicaid if you have a lot of money?

The answer varies by state. In general, a single person must have no more than $2,000 in cash assets to qualify. If you're over 65, the requirements are more complex. Whatever your age, there are strict rules about asset transfers.

Can I buy a car while on Medicaid?

Certain assets, though, such as cars and homes, are considered "non-countable," meaning they aren't considered when a Medicaid agency determines your eligibility. However, by spending a large amount on a given item — in this case, a vehicle — the agency is likely to consider the purchase an investment.

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Can you own a home while on Medicaid?

Learn more about MERP. California eliminated their asset limit effective 1/1/24. While this means one's home is automatically safe from Medicaid while they are living, the home is not necessarily safe from Medicaid's Estate Recovery Program.

What is the vehicle exemption for Medicaid in Texas?

Medicaid in Texas exempts one vehicle, regardless of its value. This vehicle can be used for transportation for you or a member of your family. This exemption is especially important as it allows you to maintain your transportation means without impacting your Medicaid eligibility.

How often does Medicaid check your bank account?

Medicaid agencies can check your account balances for bank accounts at any financial institution you've used in the past five years. They will check when you submit an application and on an annual basis, but checks can occur at any time.

What happens if you win money while on Medicaid?

Winning the lottery generally doesn't require you to pay back Medicaid costs. However, it can affect your eligibility for Medicaid, as eligibility often depends on income levels, which vary by state. You might lose your benefits if your lottery winnings push your income above the Medicaid threshold.

What qualifies a person for Medicaid in Texas?

In addition to those with low incomes who are aged, blind, or disabled (receiving SSI benefits), the following populations are eligible for Medicaid in Texas: Children aged 0-1: 198% of the federal poverty level (FPL) Children aged 1-5: 144% of FPL. Children age 6-18: 133% of FPL.

How do I protect my bank account from Medicaid?

One such option to protect assets is a Medicaid Trust. By placing some of your assets in an appropriate trust, you can protect them from Medicaid and have them not be counted when you are applying for benefits.

Do you have to pay back Medicaid in Texas?

If you received Medicaid long-term services and supports, the state of Texas has the right to ask for money back from your estate after you die. In some cases, the state may not ask for anything back, and the state will never ask for more money back than it paid for your services.

Can food stamps see my bank account?

When applying for food stamps do they check your bank accounts? When applying for food stamps, you will be required to submit proof of your monthly income and liquid assets, but the agency you apply through will not look directly into your bank accounts to verify.

Can you own a home and still qualify for Medicaid in Texas?

Financial eligibility for Medicaid is determined by examining both income and assets. In addition, although Texas is a community property state, the concept of community property is ignored in determining financial eligibility for Medicaid. But some assets, including your home, are not counted.

What is an exempt asset for Medicaid?

There are “countable assets” and “exempt assets”. An applicant's home furnishings and appliances, personal items, vehicle, and generally their home, are exempt. For home exemption, an applicant (or their spouse) must live in their home or the applicant must have “Intent to Return”.

How much can your car be worth to get food stamps in Texas?

HB 1287 took effect on September 1, 2023, with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers thanks to the efforts of Representative Ryan Guillen and Senator César Blanco. The bill updates Texas' SNAP Vehicle Asset Test (VAT) to $22,500 for first vehicles and $8,700 for each additional vehicle.

Can you inherit money while on Medicaid?

This means the individual is not eligible for Medicaid until the “excess” assets (the assets over Medicaid's asset limit) are “spent down”. California is the only state without an asset limit (eff. 1/1/24). Medi-Cal beneficiaries can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for benefits.

Does Medicaid actually check your income?

Some states use a computerized system to cross reference a Medicaid applicant's reported income. For instance, in California, an electronic database, the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), is used to match the income information provided by the applicant to other databases to verify it is accurate.

How much tax do you pay if you win $5000?

The IRS requires that lottery agencies immediately withhold a 24% tax on lottery winnings exceeding $5,000, which reduces your actual take-home prize amount.

How many cars can you own on Medicaid?

An applicant is allowed to own one car that's not included in your resource limit if it's used for transportation or by another person living in the house, such as a spouse. You also don't have to be the driver of the vehicle. It's important to know that the value of the vehicle doesn't matter.

Can Medicare take money out of your bank account?

Medicare Easy Pay is a free way to set up recurring payments to pay your Medicare premiums. With this service, we'll automatically deduct your Medicare premiums from your checking or savings account each month. The amount being deducted from your account will update automatically when your premium changes.

What disqualifies you from Medicaid?

Assets eligible for Medicaid consideration include: Checking and Savings Accounts – Any checking or savings account with your name or your spouse's name count as an asset. Therefore, having a high amount of funds in those accounts could disqualify you. This includes long-term savings accounts or investments like CDs.

How can I protect assets from Medicaid?

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is exactly as it sounds—a trust designed to protect assets from being counted for Medicaid eligibility. An MAPT allows a person to qualify for long term care benefits from Medicaid, while protecting assets from being depleted if long-term care is needed.