What is a community spouse resource allowance?

A community spouse resource allowance is a legal right of a financially needy spouse when the other spouse qualifies for certain government benefits, such as Medicaid. This allowance allows the community spouse to keep a certain amount of their resources for financial support. In Washington State, the community spouse resource allowance is the average of the couple’s resources, minus any medical bills, divided by two. The community spouse may keep the average amount, up to a maximum of $126,420. Anything beyond this is considered an excess resource and is not allowed. This allowance ensures that the community spouse is provided with adequate resources to live independently while the other spouse receives necessary medical care. Many states have their own rules and regulations regarding community spouse resource allowance, so it is important to know what they are in order to qualify for these benefits.

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