Can I get any of my husband's Social Security benefits while he's in a nursing home?

you might qualify for spousal benefits if they're higher than what youre getting now. depends on your FRA and when you started taking your own benefits. my sister went through similar with her husband last year. definitely worth checking into!!

I highly recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to SSA quickly. I was in a somewhat similar situation with my mom in a facility, and I spent days trying to get through on the phone. With Claimyr, I got a callback from an actual SSA agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU. Helped me sort out a complicated benefits question that I couldn't figure out from the website.

This is actually a somewhat complex situation, so I'll try to break it down clearly: 1. If your own benefit is less than 50% of your husband's, you could be eligible for additional spousal benefits to bring you up to that 50% level. Since his benefit is $2,450, the maximum spousal benefit would be $1,225. Since you're already receiving $1,740, you wouldn't qualify for additional spousal benefits based on the 50% calculation. 2. HOWEVER, when a spouse enters a nursing home, this creates a special situation. If your husband is receiving Medicaid to help cover nursing home costs, you may qualify for something called the "spousal impoverishment" protections. These are designed to prevent the at-home spouse from becoming impoverished. 3. You should contact your local Medicaid office as they can explain the spousal impoverishment rules that might allow you to retain more of your combined assets and possibly income. 4. Your husband's Medicare coverage isn't affected by nursing home placement, but Medicare only covers limited nursing home care (usually up to 100 days following hospitalization). After that, either private pay or Medicaid would be needed. Contact your local Social Security office in person if possible - these situations really need case-specific guidance.

my dad was in nursing home for 3 years before he passed. mom didn't get any extra ss but the nursing home took ALL his ss check and she kept hers. something about medicaid rules. check with the social worker at the nursing home they know all this stuff!!

You need to talk to an elder law attorney ASAP!!! This is not just a Social Security question but a Medicaid planning issue. We spent $4000 on an attorney when my mother-in-law went into care but it saved us over $60,000 in the long run. There are legal ways to protect assets. DON'T just rely on what the government tells you!!!

I WENT THROUGH EXACT SAME THING!!! The nursing home made us apply for medicaid and then they took my husbands entire SS check BUT I got to keep a portion of his check through the "spousal allowance" thing because my income was too low to cover my bills. The medicaid office determined the amount. It was a NIGHTMARE to set up but once it was going it helped me keep the house. DONT let them tell you that you cant get any of his check!!!!!

my cousin works for SS and she says rules are different in each state for medicaid nursing homes so be careful what advice you take online

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! I've made notes of everything and have a much better understanding of my options now. I'm going to: 1) Look for an elder law attorney for a consultation this week, 2) Try Claimyr to get through to SSA about my specific situation, and 3) Gather ALL my expense documentation for the Medicaid application. I'll update once I know more in case it helps someone else in the future. This community has been a lifesaver!

I'm dealing with a similar situation with my mother-in-law right now. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that you should also check if your state has a "spousal refusal" option. In some states, the community spouse can legally refuse to contribute their income/assets toward the nursing home spouse's care, which can help preserve more resources for the at-home spouse. Also, make sure to ask about the Personal Needs Allowance - your husband should be allowed to keep a small amount (usually $30-60/month) from his Social Security for personal expenses even while in the facility. The social worker at the nursing home should be able to help with this, but definitely get that elder law attorney consultation too!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this difficult situation. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like while you won't qualify for additional Social Security spousal benefits (since your $1,740 is already more than 50% of his $2,450), you should definitely explore the Medicaid spousal impoverishment protections. These are specifically designed to help the community spouse (you) maintain a minimum standard of living while the other spouse is in long-term care. The key things to ask about are the MMMNA (Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance) and the CSRA (Community Spouse Resource Allowance). If your income falls below the MMMNA threshold for your state, you may be able to keep a portion of your husband's Social Security to bring you up to that minimum. I'd strongly recommend getting that elder law attorney consultation as soon as possible - they can help ensure you're getting all the protections you're entitled to under both federal and Ohio state rules. Also, definitely try Claimyr to get through to SSA more quickly if you need specific guidance from them. Wishing you strength through this challenging time!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly educational for me too, as I may face something similar with my elderly parents soon. Based on everything shared here, it sounds like you have a solid action plan: getting that elder law attorney consultation, trying Claimyr to reach SSA, and gathering all your financial documentation for the Medicaid application. One thing I wanted to add that might be helpful - when you're organizing all those expense documents everyone mentioned, don't forget to include things like prescription costs, medical equipment, and any ongoing healthcare expenses you have. These can sometimes be factored into the calculations for how much income you're allowed to keep. Also, I've heard that some elder law attorneys offer free initial consultations for these types of cases, so if cost is a concern, it might be worth calling around to a few different firms. The investment in professional guidance seems like it could potentially save thousands in the long run based on what others have shared here. You're clearly a strong advocate for both yourself and your husband, and you're asking all the right questions. This community has provided such valuable insights - please do keep us updated on how your consultation goes. Wishing you the very best outcome!

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. My grandfather went through something very similar when he had to enter a nursing home for dementia care. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you're on the right track with getting that elder law attorney consultation and trying to reach SSA through Claimyr. One thing I learned from our experience that might be helpful - when you meet with the attorney on Thursday, ask them about the timing of your Medicaid application versus when your husband's Social Security gets redirected to the nursing home. In our case, there was about a 2-month gap where we were still receiving grandpa's full SS check while the Medicaid paperwork was being processed, and we had to be very careful about how that money was handled during that transition period. Also, make sure to ask the attorney about any spend-down requirements for your assets. Even with the spousal resource allowance protections, there might be strategic ways to position your finances before the Medicaid approval goes through. This whole process is so complex and emotionally draining, but it sounds like you're doing everything right by getting professional help and asking these important questions early. The fact that this community has been able to provide so much detailed guidance shows there really are protections available - you just have to know how to access them. Sending you strength for your upcoming meetings!