Lessons Learned from Hurricane Sandy – From an Elder Law Attorney’s Perspective
The past two weeks have been crazy times here in New Jersey. From a late season hurricane to another autumn snow storm, which now seems to be the new norm. When not in search of gas, my staff and I made some interesting observations from the calls we have received
Medicaid – You Can’t Turn Back the Clock
A very important concept to understand is that when we apply for Medicaid, as of that pick up date - the date we want Medicaid to start paying the nursing home - all transactions are written in stone. We can’t change them. What do I mean by that? Let's say, for
When It Comes to New Jersey Medicaid What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
We were discussing how Medicaid in New Jersey, and around the country, is a constantly changing landscape. Clients hire us for our experience in navigating through this maze and guiding their applications to success (ie. Medicaid approval). An important point to remember is that the Medicaid caseworkers don’t know all
New Jersey Medicaid – More Grey than Black and White
As an elder law attorney, when clients come to us for guidance on long term care and government benefit programs such as Medicaid, I often must first explain how much uncertainty there is. That is a difficult concept for many because we have been taught to believe that the law
How many New Jersey Medicaid program are there?
As New Jersey elder law attorneys, we regularly work with the Medicaid programs that provide long term care benefits. We categorize them as institutional Medicaid and community waiver Medicaid. Institutional Medicaid covers long term care in a nursing home. New Jersey is an “income cap state with a medically needy
New Jersey Medicaid – The Basics
As New Jersey elder law attorneys, a large percentage of the inquiries we receive from families with a loved one dealing with Alzheimer's, dementia or other incurable long term illnesses in the Northern New Jersey area, concern the various Medicaid programs that cover long term care. Contrary to popular belief, Medicaid
Hurricane Sandy
This past week has been a trying one for everyone in our area. We hope that everyone faired OK, especially our elderly clients who lost power and may still be out. Our office has our power back on and phones and email are working. We are here to help and we
Would You Skip Homeowner’s Insurance to Save a Few Thousand Dollars?
We were discussing our VA plan and how we have clients place assets into a trust, then qualify for VA benefits and guide families on how to spend the money in the trust so we can keep eligibility for New Jersey Medicaid should it be necessary. “But, my brothers and
Is it Spent Down or Isn’t It?
If I owe someone money but it’s still in my account do I really still own it? Would the answer be different if that “someone” is the IRS? June called me concerning her dad. “He’s in a nursing home and has spent down his assets,” she said. “I applied for Medicaid
Disabled Child of Not? Timing is Everything (Part 2)
Last week I was telling you about Rick. His Dad transferred his home to Rick, who currently is disabled but was not at the time of the transfer. I explained to Rick that the transfer, contrary to what he believed, is subject to a Medicaid transfer penalty of 51.5 months