Protecting Your Income: The 2026 Medicaid Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance in Florida

When a spouse enters a nursing facility, families face an immediate financial concern: how will the spouse remaining at home pay their bills? Florida's Medicaid program recognizes this challenge through the Medicaid Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA), a protection that ensures the community spouse—the healthier partner living at home—retains enough income to meet basic living expenses.

As of 2026, this minimum monthly allowance stands at $2,644.

Why This Number Matters for Florida Families

While Medicaid in Florida covers long-term care in various settings—including at home, in assisted living facilities, at PACE adult daycare centers, and in nursing homes—the MMMNA becomes particularly significant when one spouse requires nursing facility care.

Here's the situation: Under standard Medicaid rules, a nursing facility resident must contribute virtually all their income toward their care costs, keeping only a $160 personal needs allowance. Medicaid then covers the substantial difference—often between $10,000 and $15,000 monthly.

But what happens when the healthier spouse depends on their partner's income? Without protection, families would face impossible choices between getting necessary care and maintaining the household.

How the Income Diversion Works

Florida's Medicaid program allows income to be diverted from the nursing facility resident to the community spouse when that spouse's own income falls below $2,644 monthly. This isn't about luxury—it's about maintaining a household.

The process works like this:

The state examines the community spouse's individual income. If it falls short of the $2,644 threshold, income from the institutionalized spouse can be redirected to bridge that gap. This reduces what the nursing facility resident pays (called their "patient responsibility") and increases what Medicaid contributes to the facility.

When $2,644 Isn't Enough

For many Florida households, $2,644 doesn't stretch far enough to cover legitimate monthly expenses. Insurance premiums, vehicle payments, property taxes, utilities, and routine home maintenance add up quickly.

Fortunately, Florida law provides a path to request a higher allowance through what's called a fair hearing. During this process, families can demonstrate their actual household costs and show that the minimum allowance doesn't meet reasonable living expenses.

The burden of proof lies with the family requesting the increase, but these requests can be successful when properly documented. The goal isn't extravagance—it's maintaining a stable household while one spouse receives necessary medical care.

Planning Makes All the Difference

Understanding the MMMNA is just one piece of the Medicaid planning puzzle. The rules surrounding income, assets, and eligibility can be complex, and mistakes can be costly. Whether you're planning ahead or facing an immediate need for nursing facility care, knowing your rights under Florida law helps protect both spouses.

If your family is considering Medicaid to help pay for care—whether at home or in a facility—you don't have to figure this out alone. Professional guidance can help you work within Florida's legal framework to protect your income and assets while securing the care your loved one needs.

Get More Information

Book: How to Get Medicaid to Pay Some or All of Your Long-Term Care Expenses

Website: ElderNeedsLaw.com

Additional Resource: MedicaidPlanningLawyer.com

For families anywhere in Florida who need assistance with Medicaid planning and protecting income and assets within the bounds of state law, consultation is available. The right guidance can make the difference between financial hardship and security during a challenging time.

This article provides general information about Florida Medicaid law and should not be considered legal advice. Medicaid rules change regularly, and individual circumstances vary. Consult with a Florida attorney who focuses on elder law and Medicaid planning for guidance specific to your situation.

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