Michigan Medicaid income limit for long-term care (2026)
By Bennett Dixon, founder of MedicaidChecklist · Every figure cited to an official source · Last verified
For 2026, Michigan's published income limit for long-term-care Medicaid — the coverage behind Michigan Medicaid Nursing Facility (Long-Term Care) coverage and MI Choice Waiver (home and community-based services) — is $2,982 per month for a single applicant.
2026 income limit (single applicant)
$2,982/mo
Income allowance for a spouse at home
$2,705–$4,066.50/mo
If the at-home spouse's own income is below this allowance, part of the applicant's income can be directed to them.
How the limit works here
2026 figures are published and used here. $2,982/month is 300% of the 2026 SSI federal benefit rate ($994), the special income limit used for institutional and MI Choice waiver eligibility. Michigan is not a Miller Trust state: applicants over this limit can still qualify through the medically needy 'Medicaid deductible' (spend-down) pathway, and nursing-home residents pay nearly all income to the facility as a patient-pay amount regardless.
Income over the limit: the published pathways
An application is not simply over when income is over the figure — Michigan publishes what happens next. Whether and how a pathway applies to a specific family is a question for the agency or an elder-law attorney.
Medicaid deductible (spend-down) for income over the limit
If your monthly income is above Michigan's limit, the application is not simply denied. Under the 'Medicaid deductible' program (Group 2, medically needy), coverage in a given month begins once that month's medical expenses use up the income above your county's protected income level, which ranges from $341 to $408 per month for one person depending on county. For nursing-home residents, monthly care costs almost always exceed income, so the deductible is usually met. Michigan does not require a Miller Trust.
official sourcePatient-pay amount: most income goes to the nursing home
Once approved, a nursing-home resident does not keep their income. After deductions for a $60 monthly personal needs allowance ($90 for veterans), health insurance premiums, and any spousal or family allowances, the rest of your monthly income is paid to the facility as your 'patient-pay amount.' Medicaid pays the balance of the nursing home bill.
official sourceHow this compares to other states
| State | Income limit (single applicant, monthly) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| California | $1,836/month | 2026 |
| Michigan | $2,982/month | 2026 |
| New York | $1,836/month | 2026 |
| Ohio | $2,982/month | 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,982/month | 2026 |
| Texas | $2,982/month | 2026 |
Full table with context: Medicaid income limits by state.
The figures on this page are Michigan's published 2026 rules, cited to the official source and last verified 2026-07-14. Eligibility decisions are made only by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) — no checklist, calculator, or company can decide for it. Applying is always free through the state agency.
A note on limits of this page: whether and how any rule applies to a specific family is a question only the state agency — or an elder-law attorney — can answer. MedicaidChecklist publishes the rules and helps you prepare and organize the application; it does not give legal advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to move, transfer, or restructure money or property.
Michigan guideMichigan asset limitMichigan look-back period
Sources
- 2026 income cap limit (300% of SSI federal benefit rate) is $2,982/month for an individual; 2026 spousal impoverishment standards: CSRA minimum $32,532, maximum $162,660; MMMNA maximum $4,066.50; federal minimum home equity limit $752,000 — www.medicaid.gov
- Community spouse income allowance: the basic (minimum) monthly allowance is $2,705.00 and the maximum is $4,066.50, per BEM 546 as amended by BPB 2026-018 effective July 1, 2026 — mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov
- Personal needs allowance (patient allowance) for nursing home residents is $60/month, $90/month for veterans; patient-pay amount deductions include community spouse income allowance, family allowance, and health insurance premiums — mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov
- Medicaid monthly protected income levels (for the deductible/spend-down program) range from $341 to $408 for a group of one, by county shelter area — mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov
- Applicants over the income limit can qualify through Michigan's medically needy spend-down; Michigan does not use Miller Trusts; nursing home asset limit $9,950 (2026) — www.medicaidplanningassistance.org