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The Community Spouse Resource Allowance is savings a spouse at home may keep. This applies when the other spouse applies for nursing home Medicaid.
The state adds up the couple's combined countable resources on a set date and splits that figure to find the allowance. This protected amount belongs to the spouse at home and is not counted against the spouse applying for care. Federal rules set a floor and a ceiling, and states can set their own number within that range.
This word shows up in nursing home Medicaid applications, often shortened to CSRA.
“the lesser of (I) the spousal share computed under subsection (c)(1), or (II) $60,000”
Programs
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Related words
Spousal impoverishment protection
Spousal impoverishment protection is a rule for a spouse who stays at home. It stops that spouse from becoming poor when the other needs nursing home Medicaid.
Look-back period
The look back period is five years before you apply for nursing home Medicaid. The state checks this stretch for gifts or underpriced sales of property.
Penalty period
A penalty period is time when Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care. This happens because you gave away money or property during the look back period.
Patient liability
Patient liability is part of your income you must put toward nursing home costs. Medicaid covers the rest of your care once you pay that part.
Sources
- Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (U.S. Code mirror)Retrieved 2026-07-08
Last reviewed 2026-07-08