10 Things to Know About Group Homes
by: Begley Law Group
- Benefit. A group home is really residential housing. Supervision is provided by staff as well as supervision, training and/or assistance. Residents share in the chores and management of the residence. In order to assist the individual moving toward independence. In order to qualify, an individual must suffer from a disability. Private rooms in a group home usually run about $5,000.00 monthly. Shared rooms run about $4,000.00. Group homes are financed by private pay, long-term care insurance or, more commonly, state Medicaid waivers funded by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Medicare does not fund group homes. Individuals receiving SSI or SSDI are required to pay a portion of their income as rent. The individual, or his or her guardian, must sign a lease or residency agreement and a DDD rental subsidy agreement, which explains the requirements of a DDD housing payment (“rental subsidy”). In addition to signing the lease or residency agreement and DDD rental subsidy agreement, the individual must furnish a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) award letter, a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) award letter, or any other award documentation.
- Income Limit. The income limit depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements. If employed for the last four years, the individual must furnish consecutive paystubs and any other income documentation.
- Resource Limit. The resource limit depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements. The individual must furnish statements of assets retained, if the amount exceeds $5,000.00 and any other asset documentation.
- Deeming. Deeming depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Transfer of Asset Penalty. The transfer of asset penalty depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Lookback Period. The lookback period depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Penalty Calculation. The penalty calculation depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Special Needs Trust. Whether a Special Needs Trust is required depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Who Can Collect? Who can collect depends on the underlying Medicaid program requirements.
- Determination of Disability. The Division of Developmental Disabilities makes the determination of disability, if one is required.