Will Medicaid Take My House? NYC Homecare Eligibility Truth

The #1 Fear That Stops NYC Families From Getting Help

You need help. Your mom can't bathe safely anymore. Your dad struggles to dress himself. You know Medicaid covers free homecare—but there's one terrifying question holding you back:

"Will Medicaid take my house?"

This fear keeps thousands of eligible NYC families from accessing care they desperately need and are entitled to. Let me be crystal clear:

Your Home is SAFE. Period.

Under New York State Medicaid law, your primary residence is completely exempt from resource calculations when determining homecare eligibility.

That means:

✅ You can own your home outright
✅ You can have a mortgage
✅ You can live in a house worth $1 million+
✅ And still qualify for free Medicaid homecare

Understanding the Real Medicaid Rules in NYC (2025)

Let's break down what Medicaid actually looks at when determining if you qualify for homecare:

Financial Eligibility Requirements:

What Medicaid DOES Count:

Bank accounts and savings
Stocks, bonds, and investments
Second homes or rental properties
Vehicles beyond one primary car

Resource Limit: $32,396 for an individual

What Medicaid DOES NOT Count:

✅ Your primary home (where you live)
✅ One vehicle (your primary car)
✅ Personal belongings and household items
✅ Prepaid funeral arrangements
✅ Life insurance policies (under certain amounts)

Income Requirements:

Standard Income Limit: $1,717/month (individual)

BUT—if you earn more: Many middle-income homeowners qualify using Pooled Income Trusts (more on this below).

Why This Myth Persists (And Why It's Dangerous)

This misconception comes from confusion with nursing home Medicaid, which has different rules about estate recovery after death. But homecare Medicaid is different:

Homecare Medicaid:

Your home is protected while you're alive
No estate recovery for homecare services
You maintain full ownership

Nursing Home Medicaid:

May have estate recovery after death
Different asset rules apply

The state of New York actually prefers to keep you at home. It's less expensive than nursing home care and better for your quality of life.

Real Stories From NYC Homeowners

Maria's Story (Jackson Heights, Queens)

"I own my home in Jackson Heights—bought it in 1985. I was making $2,100/month from Social Security and a small pension. I thought I made too much and owned too much to qualify. I was wrong."

Maria qualified through a Pooled Income Trust and now receives 30 hours/week of homecare. Her daughter visits twice a day as her paid caregiver through CDPAP.

Result: Maria stays in the home she's owned for 40 years, receives excellent care, and her daughter earns $2,800/month taking care of her mom.

The Chen Family (Sunset Park, Brooklyn)

"We almost sold our family home because we thought it was the only way to afford care for my father. Thank God we learned the truth before making that mistake."

The Chen family home is worth over $900,000. Mr. Chen qualified for Medicaid homecare without any issues.

Result: Three-generation household stays together. Family keeps generational wealth. Dad gets 24-hour care through CDPAP.

What If You're OVER the Income Limit?

This is where it gets even better. If your monthly income exceeds $1,717, you can still qualify using a Pooled Income Trust.

How It Works:

Your "excess" income goes into the trust each month
The trust pays your medical expenses
You qualify for Medicaid homecare
Your home remains protected

Example:

Your income: $2,500/month
Medicaid limit: $1,717/month
Excess: $783/month → Goes into trust
Result: You qualify!

Many NYC families with incomes up to $3,000-$3,500/month successfully qualify this way.

Learn more about Pooled Income Trusts →

The 5 Steps to Verify Your Eligibility (Without Risking Your Home)

Step 1: Check Your Medical Need

Do you need help with 2 or more of these Activities of Daily Living?

Bathing or showering
Getting dressed
Using the toilet
Eating
Getting in/out of bed
Walking/mobility

2+ = You meet the medical requirement

Step 2: Calculate Your Resources (Excluding Your Home)

Add up:

Bank account balances
Investment accounts
Any second properties

Under $32,396 = You meet the resource limit

Step 3: Check Your Income

Monthly income from all sources:

Social Security
Pensions
Rental income
Other sources

Under $1,717 = Automatic qualification $1,717-$3,500 = Likely qualify via Pooled Trust

Step 4: Take Our Free Screener

Check Your Eligibility in 2 Minutes →

No personal information required. Instant results.

Step 5: Schedule a Consultation

If our screener shows you may qualify, schedule a free consultation to discuss:

Your specific situation
Whether a Pooled Trust makes sense
CDPAP vs. traditional homecare
Next steps

Common Questions From Homeowners

"What if I have a reverse mortgage?"

You can still qualify. The reverse mortgage doesn't disqualify you.

"I'm planning to leave the house to my children. Will Medicaid take it?"

No estate recovery for homecare Medicaid in NY. Your children will inherit as planned.

"What if I own a two-family house and rent one floor?"

Your primary residence floor is exempt. Rental income counts toward the income calculation.

"My house needs major repairs. Can I use savings for that?"

Yes, but strategize this carefully. Talk to us about timing.

"Does my spouse's income count?"

Special spousal protection rules apply. Your spouse can keep significant income and assets.

What Actually Happens: The Medicaid Homecare Process

Let's walk through what really happens when you apply:

Week 1-2:

Initial screening and assessment
Medical evaluation (can you perform ADLs?)
Financial documentation review

What They Ask About:

Monthly income sources
Bank statements (usually 3 months)
Asset documentation
Medical records

What They DON'T Ask About:

❌ Your home value
❌ Your home equity
❌ When you bought your home
❌ Plans to sell your home

Week 3-4:

Eligibility determination
Care plan developed
Agency assignment or CDPAP setup

Week 5+:

Care begins
You stay in your home
Your assets stay protected

The Bottom Line for NYC Homeowners

If you or a loved one needs help with daily activities, don't let fear about losing your home stop you from getting care.

The Truth:

Your primary residence is 100% protected
Thousands of NYC homeowners receive Medicaid homecare
The state wants to help you "age in place"
You've paid taxes for decades—this benefit is yours

The Real Risk: Not getting help when you need it. Falls, medication errors, poor nutrition, and isolation are far more dangerous than applying for Medicaid.

Take the Next Step

Option 1: Quick Eligibility Check Take Our 2-Minute Screener → Free, anonymous, instant results

Option 2: Learn About Income Solutions Pooled Income Trust Guide → For middle-income homeowners

Option 3: Explore Family Caregiving CDPAP Program Overview → Your family can get paid to care for you

Option 4: Speak With an Expert Schedule Free Consultation → Text or email only—no phone pressure

You've Earned This Benefit

You've worked hard for decades. You've paid taxes. You've built equity in your home. Now it's time to access the homecare benefits you're entitled to—without fear, without losing your home, and with dignity.

Your home is your sanctuary. Medicaid understands that. New York State understands that. We understand that.

Let's get you the care you need while protecting everything you've built.

Questions? Text us or fill out our contact form. We're here to help.

Will Medicaid Take My House? The Truth About NYC Homecare Eligibility