Dayton Senior AdvisorWhat should we do when savings for care are running low?
Estimate how many months remain, ask the current facility whether it accepts the Assisted Living Waiver or Medicaid, gather five years of financial records, and contact the Area Agency on Aging and an elder law attorney before the money is gone.
The months before savings run out are when choices still exist. Waiting until the last check bounces usually means a rushed move to whatever building has a Medicaid bed.
Can a parent stay in assisted living on Medicaid in Ohio?
Yes, if the RCF holds an Assisted Living Waiver provider agreement and your parent qualifies: the waiver pays for care, and your parent pays room and board from income, capped at $944 a month in 2026.
If the current building does not participate, ask the Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 (1-800-258-7277) which nearby RCFs do and whether there is a wait. A move to a participating building before funds are exhausted is easier than a move afterward.
What are Ohio's 2026 Medicaid limits?
For long-term care Medicaid, a single applicant may have no more than $2,000 in countable assets, and income above $2,982 a month must go into a Qualified Income Trust; a spouse at home keeps protected assets and income.
| Ohio Medicaid long-term care, 2026 | Figure |
|---|---|
| Income limit before a Qualified Income Trust is needed | $2,982 a month |
| Countable assets, single applicant | $2,000 |
| Community spouse resource allowance | $32,532 to $162,660 |
| Community spouse income allowance cap | $4,066.50 a month |
| Nursing facility personal needs allowance | $75 per month |
| Home equity limit | $752,000 |
| Look-back on transfers | 60 months |
Sources: Ohio Medicaid MEPL No. 191 (January 1, 2026 figures), MEPL No. 195, OAC 5160:1-6-04, 5160:1-6-06 and 5160:1-6-07.
Our Medicaid guide explains spend-down, the look-back and estate recovery.
Are there other sources of money we may have missed?
Check for VA pension with Aid and Attendance if your parent or a late spouse served during wartime, long-term care or life insurance policies, pensions with survivor benefits, and home equity.
| VA pension, maximum annual rate | Per year | About per month |
|---|---|---|
| Veteran, no dependents | $29,093 | about $2,424 |
| Veteran with one dependent | $34,488 | about $2,874 |
| Two veterans married, both eligible | $46,143 | about $3,845 |
| Veteran, no dependents, Housebound | $21,313 | about $1,776 |
| Surviving spouse, no dependents | $18,697 | about $1,558 |
| Surviving spouse, one dependent child | $22,304 | about $1,859 |
VA pension rates effective December 1, 2025; the veteran, two-veteran and surviving spouse lines are the Aid and Attendance rates, and the housebound line is shown for comparison.
County veterans service offices help with VA claims for free.What if a parent must leave a facility for financial reasons?
The facility must give written notice and follow Ohio's transfer and discharge rules, and the Region 2 Long-Term Care Ombudsman (1-800-395-8267) can help negotiate time or a transition plan.
Use the notice period to secure Medicaid or waiver eligibility and find a participating building. Our directory shows every licensed RCF and nursing home in the six counties so you can widen the search quickly.
Side by side
| A planned transition means | A crisis transition means | |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Starting a year before funds run out | Starting after the last payment |
| Facility | Choosing one that accepts the waiver or Medicaid | Taking whatever bed is open |
| Records | Five years of statements ready | Searching for documents under deadline |
| Advice | An elder law consultation | Guesswork about what counts |
Drawn from Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3721, Ohio Administrative Code Chapters 3701-16 and 5160:1-6, ODH and Ohio Department of Aging publications, Ohio Medicaid letters, CareScout, CMS and the VA; our editorial standards explain how we check them.
