The Foundation has a special policy regarding financial assistance for married couples. We recognize that there is a possibility that a couple might become impoverished when one of them permanently moves to the Health Center.
The policy is designed to allow the partner who moves to the Health Center the opportunity to apply for financial assistance when half of the couple’s assets have been depleted. This leaves the other half of their assets for the “well partner” to use for his or her lifetime. For this purpose, the assets of the couple will be valued on the date one of them moves to the Health Center. The value should be captured and documented. It will need to be provided if, at some point, an application for financial assistance becomes necessary. If the “well partner” exhausts the remaining assets, they may also apply for financial assistance. All assets of the couple must first be used for either partner’s care prior to becoming part of either’s estate residue.
If you and your spouse anticipate that you may need financial assistance at some time in the future, it is important to contact the Foundation office so that we can provide additional information about the married couple policy. Often this conversation can help ease anxiety prior to and during the time of transition.