What is a community spouse resource allowance?

A community spouse resource allowance (CSRA) is an amount of money that the spouse of a nursing home patient in North Dakota is allowed to keep for their own care and expenses. This allowance protects the spouse from having to spend down all of their assets to pay for the care of their partner. The maximum amount of CSRA allowed in North Dakota is set by federal law and is equal to the greater of $123,600 or half of the couple’s combined countable assets. Countable assets are those that are available to pay for nursing home care, such as bank accounts and investments. The purpose of the CSRA is to ensure that the spouse of the nursing home patient has enough money to continue living independently and comfortably. There are certain items that are not counted as part of the allowance, such as the home the couple lives in and vehicles used for transportation. In North Dakota, the CSRA amount is reviewed yearly to ensure it is still in compliance with federal law and the needs of the community spouse. This review can also result in an increase of the allowance in certain cases if an income or assets test is met. It is important that both spouses understand the community spouse resource allowance and how it affects their financial situation. It is also important for couples to understand their options when considering nursing home care and how to best protect the assets of the community spouse.

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What is a community spouse resource allowance?

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