Medicaid Allows $162.7K in Protected Savings | https://heatherbarrow.annuitiesgenius.com/

Federal law let an at-home spouse seek a fair hearing to raise protected savings above a state's standard when household income still came up short.
Most couples do not qualify because states using income-first must redirect the institutionalized spouse's pension or federal benefits before protecting additional assets.
Households with the strongest case usually combined low income for the at-home spouse, modest institutional income, and housing costs high enough to widen allowance calculations.
Families typically need to request a hearing through the state agency, meet deadlines, and bring income records, asset statements, shelter costs, and projections.
Even a favorable ruling only adjusts protected resources; it does not prevent estate recovery, so families should confirm state rules and hire elder law counsel.