Will my bedridden husband still receive his SS benefits if he moves to a nursing home?

Yes, he will still receive his SSDI benefits if he goes into a nursing home. The benefits belong to him. However, if Medicaid ends up paying for the nursing home (which is common), they may require most of his monthly benefit to go toward the cost of care, leaving him with just a small personal needs allowance (usually around $30-60 per month depending on your state). This is something to seriously consider in your planning.

my mom went thru this with my dad. they let him keep like $50 a month and the rest went to the nursing home. but that was with medicaid. if your paying privately its different i think??

I worked for a nursing facility for 10 years and can confirm that your husband will continue receiving his Social Security disability benefits, but there are important distinctions about where that money goes: 1. If you're paying privately (out of pocket), his SS benefits can go to whatever account you designate. 2. If Medicaid is paying for the nursing home, they'll require most of his benefits to go toward his care, typically leaving only a small personal needs allowance of $30-70 monthly (varies by state). 3. As his spouse living in the community, you may qualify for what's called the "spousal impoverishment provision" which could allow you to keep a portion of his income to maintain your household. This is VERY important for you to look into. 4. When he turns 65, his SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount stays the same. I would strongly recommend consulting with an elder law attorney before making any decisions. Many offer free initial consultations and can save you thousands in the long run by properly structuring your finances.

Ur husband will still get his social security but the nursing home will take most of it. They only let them keep like $40 for personal stuff. My aunt went through this last year. It's really tough.

I've been through this exact situation with my father last year. Your husband will 100% continue receiving his SSDI benefits, but who receives the money depends on your financial arrangement with the nursing facility. If you'll be using Medicaid (Title XIX) to cover nursing home costs, they'll do a financial assessment. In most states, they'll allow you as the community spouse to keep a significant portion of the combined income to maintain your household - called the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA). This amount varies by state but can be between $2,300-$3,700 per month. And very importantly - before he's admitted, you should apply to become his representative payee with Social Security if you aren't already. This lets you manage his benefits. You'll need to visit your local SSA office with both your IDs, your marriage certificate, and medical documentation showing he cannot manage his own finances. Have you been able to reach anyone at SSA to discuss your specific situation?

I dealt with a similar situation last year trying to reach Social Security about my mom's benefits when she moved to assisted living. After 7 attempts and hours on hold, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a live agent in under 5 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU For your specific situation, you really need to speak with someone at SSA about the representative payee process AND with your state's Medicaid office about spousal impoverishment protections. Getting clear answers directly from SSA made a huge difference for us in understanding exactly what portion of benefits we could keep for household expenses.

CAREFUL!!! Nursing homes will take EVERYTHING they can get!! My sister's husband went into one and they wanted ALL his social security AND half of HERS!!! They will try to FORCE you to pay for everything!!! Check with a LAWYER first!!!!

Does he get regular social security or SSI? Its really different rules for each one

Based on all the information shared, here's what you should do next: 1. Contact your state's Medicaid office to learn about their specific spousal impoverishment rules and how much income you'd be allowed to keep from your husband's benefits. 2. Apply to become your husband's representative payee with SSA immediately, even before the nursing home transition. 3. Consult with an elder law attorney who specializes in Medicaid planning. Many offer free initial consultations. 4. Gather documentation of all your monthly household expenses to demonstrate your financial needs when applying for the MMMNA. 5. When your husband turns 65 next May, his SSDI will automatically convert to retirement benefits, but this doesn't change the amount. With proper planning, you should be able to keep a portion of his benefits to maintain your home while ensuring he receives proper care. The system is designed with protections for community spouses in exactly your situation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. As someone who works in disability advocacy, I want to emphasize that you're making a responsible decision by exploring nursing home care when you can no longer safely provide the level of care your husband needs at home. A few additional points that might help: - Consider reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging - they often have social workers who can walk you through the Medicaid application process and spousal protections at no cost. - Document your husband's current care needs thoroughly before the nursing home placement. This helps establish the medical necessity and can be important for Medicaid approval. - Ask potential nursing facilities about their "bed hold" policies if your husband ever needs hospitalization - you'll want to know if his spot is guaranteed upon return. - Once he's in the facility, you'll still have rights as his spouse to be involved in his care planning and to visit without restrictions. The representative payee process mentioned by others is typically straightforward for spouses, especially when there's clear medical documentation of cognitive impairment or inability to manage finances. You've got this, and there are people and systems in place to help you navigate this transition.

I'm going through a similar situation with my elderly mother right now, and I can't imagine how exhausting this must be for you. You're being so strong taking care of your husband while working full-time - please don't feel guilty about needing help. One thing I learned that might help you is to ask the nursing homes you're considering about their specific policies for married couples. Some facilities have social workers who specialize in helping spouses navigate the Medicaid application process and understanding exactly how much of your combined income you'll be able to keep for your household expenses. Also, when you do contact SSA (definitely try that Claimyr service someone mentioned), ask them about any state-specific programs for caregiving spouses. Some states have additional support programs that can help with the transition period. You're doing everything right by researching this thoroughly before making the decision. Your husband is lucky to have someone who cares so much about getting this right for both of you.

I'm a social worker who has helped many families navigate this exact situation. Your husband will definitely continue receiving his SSDI benefits in a nursing home - those benefits belong to him regardless of where he lives. However, the key issue is how Medicaid handles those benefits if they're paying for his care. As others have mentioned, you'll likely qualify for the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) which can range from about $2,300-$3,700 depending on your state. This allows you to keep a portion of his income to maintain your household expenses before the rest goes to the nursing home. One important thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - you should also look into whether your state has a "spousal resource allowance" that protects some of your combined assets (like savings, retirement accounts) from being spent down for Medicaid eligibility. This is separate from the income protections. I'd strongly recommend contacting your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) - they provide free Medicare and Medicaid counseling and can walk you through the specific rules in your state. You can find your local SHIP at shiphelp.org. You're being incredibly responsible by planning ahead rather than rushing into this decision. Many families don't realize these protections exist until it's too late to properly plan.

I'm so sorry you're facing this incredibly difficult situation. As someone who recently went through a similar experience with my father-in-law, I want to share a few practical things that helped us navigate this transition. First, definitely pursue becoming his representative payee as others have mentioned - it's usually straightforward for spouses and gives you the legal authority to manage his benefits during this process. Second, when you're touring nursing homes, ask specifically about their Medicaid application assistance. Many facilities have staff dedicated to helping families through the paperwork and can give you realistic timelines for approval in your area. One thing I wish we had known earlier - some states have "look-back" periods for asset transfers, so if you have any joint accounts or assets you're concerned about, discuss those with an elder law attorney sooner rather than later. The spousal protections others mentioned are real and significant, but proper documentation is key. Also consider reaching out to your husband's current doctors for letters documenting his care needs. These can be crucial for both nursing home admission and Medicaid approval. You're doing the right thing by planning ahead and seeking help. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of him - you can't pour from an empty cup.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to reach out because your situation really resonates with me. My grandmother went through a similar transition last year, and I remember how overwhelming all the information felt at first. From reading through all these helpful responses, it sounds like you have a solid roadmap now - contacting SHIP first, then becoming his representative payee, and consulting with an elder law attorney. The spousal protections people mentioned are real and designed exactly for situations like yours. One small thing that helped our family was creating a simple checklist with all the steps and phone numbers in one place. It made the whole process feel more manageable when we could check things off as we went. You're clearly a devoted spouse who's been carrying an enormous load. Please remember that choosing professional care when you can no longer safely provide it at home isn't giving up - it's making sure he gets the best possible care while protecting your own wellbeing too. You both deserve support during this difficult time. Wishing you strength as you navigate this process. This community seems to have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help guide you through it.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement after reading your story. What you're going through sounds incredibly challenging, and I admire your dedication to finding the best solution for both you and your husband. From all the excellent advice shared here, it's clear that there are meaningful protections in place for spouses in your situation. The fact that you're researching thoroughly before making this decision shows how much you care about getting it right. One thing I'd add is to consider documenting your current caregiving routine and expenses - not just for Medicaid applications, but also to help the nursing home staff understand his specific needs and preferences when he transitions. This can make the adjustment period smoother for him. Also, don't hesitate to ask the nursing homes about their family support resources. Many facilities offer support groups or counseling for family members dealing with the emotional aspects of this transition. You've been carrying so much responsibility alone - you deserve support too. You're making a loving, practical decision by exploring professional care options. Your husband is fortunate to have someone who cares so deeply about his wellbeing and your family's financial security. Wishing you both peace and clarity as you move forward with this process.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because your situation really touches my heart. As someone who recently helped my own family navigate nursing home placement, I can see how much love and care you're putting into this difficult decision. Reading through all the excellent advice here, it's clear you now have a solid plan: contact SHIP first, pursue representative payee status, and consult with an elder law attorney. The spousal protections everyone mentioned are very real - they exist specifically to prevent situations like yours from causing financial devastation. One practical tip I'd add: when you're ready to visit nursing facilities, bring a list of your husband's daily routines, preferences, and any comfort items that are important to him. This helps staff provide more personalized care from day one. Also, please don't underestimate the emotional toll this process takes. Many nursing homes have support groups for spouses going through this transition. You've been carrying this burden alone for so long - you deserve that kind of support too. You're not failing him by seeking professional care when his needs exceed what you can safely provide at home. You're ensuring he gets proper care while protecting both of your futures. That's exactly what a devoted spouse should do. This community clearly has incredible knowledge and compassion. Wishing you strength and peace as you move forward with these next steps.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out after reading through this thread because your situation really resonates with me. My family went through something very similar with my grandfather last year, and I know how overwhelming and emotionally draining this decision can be. What strikes me most is how thoroughly you're researching this and how much you care about doing right by both your husband and your own financial security. That's exactly the kind of thoughtful planning that will serve you well through this process. From everything shared here, you now have an excellent roadmap: start with SHIP for guidance, pursue representative payee status, and connect with an elder law attorney. The spousal protection programs (MMNA and spousal resource allowance) are specifically designed for situations like yours - you're not alone in facing this challenge. One thing I'd add from our experience: don't hesitate to ask nursing facilities about their admission timeline and what documentation they need upfront. Some have waiting lists, so starting those conversations early can help you plan better. Please remember that choosing professional care when you can no longer safely provide the level of care he needs isn't giving up - it's being a responsible advocate for his wellbeing. You've already gone above and beyond as his caregiver while working full-time. You both deserve the peace of mind that comes with proper care and financial protection. This community has shown incredible wisdom and support today. Wishing you strength as you take these next important steps.