Estate
Recovery

Both the Medicaid and the LIFE program provide help with long-term care in the home provided through an approved agency in Pennsylvania.  Applicants qualify for this assistance when their countable assets fall below a pre-set asset limit, which is generally $8,000 for a single applicant and varies between $34,076 and $138,380 for a married applicant where only one spouse is seeking services. This asset limit does not include a house with equity less than $603,000, an automobile, a modest prepaid funeral, and personal items such as clothing, furniture, or home furnishings. Once the person who needs care is below the appropriate asset limit, he or she can apply for benefits.  Once approved, Medicaid or LIFE will provide home care to the benefit recipient free of cost. But unfortunately, even things you get for free often have a hidden cost.