Stimulus payment and nursing homes

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, some nursing facilities are trying to siphon government-issued checks from residents on Medicaid. The check in question was part of the CARES Act, the stimulus package enacted in March to combat the negative financial consequences of COVID-19, and individuals could receive as much as $1,200 if they met income limits and were not claimed as dependents by anyone else. The economic impact payments, as the stimulus checks are known, are tax credits, which do not qualify as resources for federal benefits programs. Which means nursing homes and assisted living facilities can’t take that money from their residents just because they’re on Medicaid. Stimulus payments do not count as income by law, so they will not affect Medicaid eligibility either. These checks also do not count as a Medicaid resource for a year, which means it does not count against any savings limits in those 12 months.This is the resident’s money to spend on their wants and needs. Some are still waiting for their stimulus check, if you’re wondering the status of your check go to irs.gov under “get my payment”.