Choices for Care allows you to keep some or all of your income for your needs, uncovered medical or remedial expenses and support of your spouse or your dependents. You can also keep income to pay your medical insurance premiums and uncovered medical costs. If you need care in a facility for 6 months or less, you can keep some income for the upkeep of your home or apartment.

Any income that remains after these deductions must be used to pay the “patient share” for your care. CFC then covers the remaining cost of your long-term care each month.

How much income can I keep?

The amount of income that you can keep for your needs depends on where you live and who lives with you.

• If you live at home or in an apartment, you can keep $1,408 per month for your maintenance needs.
• If you live in a nursing facility, you can keep $79.93 per month for personal needs.
• You can keep an additional $749.01 per month for upkeep of your home if:

1. you reside in a nursing facility
2. you can return home within 6 months AND
3. no one else in your home (such as your spouse or dependents) gets any of your income.

Your spouse can have up to $2,555 (standard) or $3,853.50 (maximum) of your income. CFC allows you to use your income to increase your spouse’s income to the maximum amount if your spouse has "excess shelter expenses." Shelter costs include rent or mortgage, maintenance fees for a condominium or cooperative, taxes and insurance. CFC uses a formula to determine the shelter expenses amount.

Up to $851.67 of your income can be kept for each of your dependents, when a dependent has no income. Dependents are family members (children, parents or siblings) who live in your household and are financially dependent on you.