What are the asset limits for nursing home Medicaid in Virginia in 2026?
A single applicant for long-term care Medicaid in Virginia can generally keep no more than $2,000 in countable resources, while a spouse who stays at home can keep a community spouse resource allowance between $32,532 and $162,660 under the 2026 federal standards.
Virginia expanded Medicaid for adults under 65 on January 1, 2019; long-term care eligibility for people 65 and older still follows the aged, blind and disabled rules with their own income and resource tests.
Virginia applies these federal spousal-impoverishment figures; confirm a specific case with the local department of social services, because how income and the home are treated depends on the facts.
| Medicaid | Medicare | |
|---|---|---|
| Pays for | Long-term custodial nursing home care | Short-term skilled rehab after a qualifying hospital stay |
| Eligibility | Income, assets and level of care | Age or disability; medical need |
| Duration | As long as eligible | Limited days per benefit period |
How much income can a community spouse keep when a husband or wife enters a Richmond nursing home?
The spouse at home is protected by a monthly maintenance needs allowance: under the 2026 federal standards the minimum is $2,705 (from July 1, 2026; $2,643.75 before that) and the maximum is $4,066.50, and the nursing home spouse's income can be redirected to bring the at-home spouse up to that level.
Most of the nursing home resident's remaining income then goes toward the cost of care, with a small personal needs allowance kept for personal items. The exact figures depend on housing costs and how income is titled, so ask the local DSS eligibility worker to run the numbers for your case.
What steps does a Richmond family take to get Medicaid to pay for a nursing home?
Get a Long-Term Services and Supports screening confirming nursing facility level of care (done by the hospital discharge planner if the person is hospitalized, or by a community team through local DSS), apply for Medicaid through CommonHelp, Cover Virginia or the local DSS, and choose a Medicaid-certified nursing home.
Medicare may cover the first part of a rehab stay after a qualifying hospital admission; Medicaid typically picks up long-term custodial care. Ask the nursing home's business office early whether it has Medicaid beds and how it handles a pending application.
Does Virginia look back at gifts before approving nursing home Medicaid?
Yes. Like other states, Virginia reviews transfers of assets made during the federal look-back period before a long-term care Medicaid application, and gifts or transfers for less than fair market value can create a penalty period during which Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care.
Talk with an elder law attorney before moving money or property, especially if a spouse remains at home or a home is involved.
Last verified: October 2026
Source: CMS 2026 SSI and spousal impoverishment standards
Source: DMAS LTSS screening
