3.2 Assets

DHA Case No. MRA 70/105086 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals July 30, 2009) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In general, an asset is counted if it is available—if the owner can access it and use it for support and maintenance. In this case, the agency counted as available a $7,233 check paid to and cashed […] Read more

DHA Case No. MED 292938 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals September 3, 2008) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Gifts received by a Medicaid recipient must be reported within ten days. In this case, the petitioner was disabled with cancer. Her community held a fundraiser and gave her almost $30,000, which she failed to report. Although […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 211422 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals February 1, 2024) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF A life-insurance funded burial contract (LIFBC or “burial insurance”) can be funded with more than $4,500 and still be exempt for Medicaid eligibility; but an irrevocable funeral trust can only make up to $4,500 truly irrevocable and […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 210403 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals December 8, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The assets in an irrevocable trust funded with the petitioner’s property are potentially available if there are any circumstances allowing payment from the trust to the petitioner. In this case, the petitioner established a Hedlund-type trust in 1996 […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 209343 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals October 2, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The balance of a land contract is counted as an available asset unless its terms prohibit transfer or no one is willing to purchase it. In this case, the petitioner was selling non-homestead real estate under a […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 209206 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals November 8, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF DHA Case No. CWA 209207 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals November 8, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The principal or income of an irrevocable trust funded with a Medicaid applicant’s resources is countable if there are […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 210128 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals November 22, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF An asset is not available if the member lacks the ability to provide legal access to it. In this case, the petitioner had a life insurance policy with a cash value greater than $2,000; he also had […] Read more

DHA Case No. MDV 209376 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals October 27, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Institutional MA eligibility can be backdated up to three months prior to the the month of application. In this case, the petitioner requested an asset assessment in January 2023 but didn’t apply until May. ALJ Peter McCombs […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 210319 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals October 20, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In general, all available assets are counted and counted assets are not reduced by outstanding debt. In this case, the petitioner had excess assets at her renewal and an overpayment claim that was pending but not yet […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 210257 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals December 7, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF An appeal must be filed within 45 days of a Medicaid application denial for the Division of Hearings and Appeals to have jurisdiction. In this case, the deadline to appeal the initial denial of the Medicaid application […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 209934 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals November 13, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Collectibles acquired or held because of their value as an investment are countable assets. In this case, the petitioner owned sports memorabilia worth about $35,000 but argued the collection was (1) unavailable due to the time it […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 209285 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals September 19, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Vehicles used for transportation can be countable assets (apart from one exempt vehicle), but household goods used for maintenance, use, and occupancy of the premises are not countable. In this case, the petitioner’s Medicaid application was denied […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 190017 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals March 11, 2019) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF When an irrevocable trust is involved, the Department may require documentation needed to determine when assets were added, what distributions have been made, and whether a divestment occurred. In this case, the petitioner applied and disclosed an […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 208349 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 13, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In general, applicants are responsible for verification—but agencies cannot deny eligibility when the applicant has no ability to get the required verification. In this case, the petitioner and his wife were both applying for Institutional MA through their […] Read more