What is a community spouse resource allowance?

A community spouse resource allowance (CSRA) is a legal provision in the state of Virginia that allows an elderly individual to keep a certain amount of their resources for their benefit, without having to spend down all of their money to be eligible for Medicaid. In order to qualify for Medicaid, Virginia residents must meet strict income and resource limits. Resources include income and assets such as savings, investments, real estate, and personal property. The CSRA provides a way for the elderly to keep some of their hard-earned assets. The size of the CSRA varies depending on the couple’s living situation. In the event of a long-term care need, the allowance is an amount equal to the greater of $54,930 or one-half of the couple’s countable resources. This can be a helpful asset-protection tool for couples who are married and living together. For couples who live apart, the allowance is a minimum of $24,180 and a maximum of $126,420. This provision helps ensure that the spouse living within the community (the community spouse) receives a portion of the couple’s shared resources to supplement their income. The CSRA is an important part of Elder Law in Virginia. It’s designed to protect resources for the elderly and ensure that both the long-term care recipient and the community spouse have enough resources to get by.

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