Mississippi Medicaid & Elder Care
Mississippi is an income-cap state where seniors must utilize a Qualified Income Trust if their income exceeds the limit to qualify for long-term care Medicaid, which includes both home and assisted living waiver programs that may have waitlists.
Medicaid Report Card
Overall State Performance Index
Based on CMS Nursing Home Compare + state Medicaid agency data
View Methodology arrow_forwardMississippi Monthly Costs
Mississippi assisted living costs are approximately 19% lower than the national average of $5,900 per month.
Waiver Programs
Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program
Also called: E&D Waiver
The Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver is a statewide Medicaid program for seniors aged 65 and over, or physically disabled individuals aged 21-64, who are at risk of nursing home admission. It provides a variety of home and community-based services to support independent living in their own home or a loved one's home.
- check_circle Case Management
- check_circle Adult Day Health Care
- check_circle Home-Delivered Meals
- check_circle Personal Care Services
- check_circle Institutional Respite Services
- check_circle In-Home Respite
- check_circle Expanded Home Health Visits (skilled nursing, nurse aide, physical therapy, speech therapy)
- check_circle Community Transition Services
- check_circle Medication Management
- check_circle Environmental Safety Services
insights Program Snapshot
- Enrollment
- Approximately 22,200 beneficiaries per year
- Functional criterion
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC)
- Administered by
- Mississippi Division of Medicaid, Office of Long Term Care (Case Management by Planning and Development Districts)
- Recertification
- Annual physician re-certification
2026 Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | Individual Limit | Married (Both Applying) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Income | $2,982 | $5,964 |
| Asset Limit | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Home Equity Limit | $752,000 | |
| Level of Care | Nursing Home Level of Care (NHLOC) | |
Estate Recovery Warning
Mississippi's Estate Recovery Program is federally mandated to recoup Medicaid costs from the estates of deceased beneficiaries aged 55 or older. However, significant exemptions exist for surviving spouses, minor or disabled children, and homestead property passing to certain heirs.
Spend-Down & Asset Protection
PROTECTED ASSETS
COMMON PITFALLS
- warning Look-back Period: Gifts or asset transfers made within 60 months (5 years) prior to application can trigger a penalty period of ineligibility.
- warning Excess Income: Failing to establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) if monthly income exceeds the state's income cap.
- warning Joint Accounts: Assets held in joint accounts may be counted entirely as the applicant's asset for eligibility purposes, potentially exceeding limits.
First Steps for Families
Locate your ADRC
Contact your local Mississippi Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Gather 5 years of records
Bank statements, deeds, asset transfers for the Medicaid look-back period.
Financial assessment
Consult a Medicaid planner if assets exceed $4,000.
How to Apply for Mississippi Long-Term Care Medicaid
Assess Level of Care
Obtain medical certification of Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) from a physician.
Gather Records
Collect Social Security numbers, dates of birth, income, health insurance, and financial statements for the 60-month look-back period.
Setup Miller Trust
Establish a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) if monthly income exceeds the Medicaid cap.
Submit Application
Apply online via AccessMS, download and mail/fax the 'Application for Mississippi Medicaid Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid Programs,' or visit a regional office.
Interviews
Attend required in-person interviews with regional office staff, especially for aged, blind, or disabled benefits.
Approval & Care
Receive eligibility determination and activate benefits for approved long-term care services.
Documents You'll Need
Financial Verification
- 5 years of bank statements
- Stock/bond certificates
- Retirement account info
- Life insurance policies
Income Verification
- Social Security award letters
- Pension stubs
- VA benefit statements
- W-2 forms/pay stubs
Medical/Identity
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Doctor's clinical assessments/certifications
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
Property/Residency
- Home deed
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of Mississippi residency
Frequently Asked Questions About Mississippi Medicaid
Does Mississippi Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, through the Assisted Living (AL) Waiver, Mississippi Medicaid covers supportive services in licensed Personal Care Home-Assisted Living (PCH-AL) facilities. However, the waiver does not cover the cost of room and board, which remains the responsibility of the individual. To qualify, seniors must meet Nursing Facility Level of Care and financial eligibility criteria.
What is the Mississippi Medicaid income limit for seniors in 2026?
For long-term care Medicaid (nursing home or Home and Community-Based Services waivers), the individual income limit in Mississippi for 2026 is $2,982 per month. For married couples where both apply, the combined income limit is $5,964 per month. Mississippi is an income cap state, meaning a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) is required if income exceeds this limit to achieve eligibility.
How long is the HCBS waiver waitlist in Mississippi?
Mississippi's Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, such as the Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver and the Assisted Living (AL) Waiver, are not entitlement programs and have limited enrollment slots. While specific waitlist counts or average wait times are not consistently published, individuals who meet eligibility criteria may be placed on a waitlist when all slots are full.
Will Medicaid take my parent's house in Mississippi?
Medicaid generally will not take a parent's house while they are alive if it is their primary residence and certain conditions are met, such as a spouse or dependent living there, or the applicant having an intent to return home. However, after death, Mississippi's Estate Recovery Program may seek to recover costs from the deceased recipient's probate estate. This recovery is waived if there is a surviving spouse, a child under 21, or a blind/disabled child of any age, and homestead property passing to certain heirs is exempt.
Can I be paid to care for my parent through Mississippi Medicaid?
The Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver in Mississippi, which provides home and community-based services for seniors, does not offer the option for participants to self-direct their care and hire their own caregivers, including family members. Similarly, the Assisted Living (AL) Waiver does not support self-direction. Therefore, direct payment to family caregivers through these specific senior-focused Medicaid waivers is not an option in Mississippi.
Medicaid vs Medicare for long-term care in Mississippi?
Medicare primarily covers short-term, skilled nursing care or rehabilitation services, typically following a hospital stay, and generally does not cover long-term custodial care in nursing homes or extensive home care. Mississippi Medicaid, conversely, is a needs-based program that can cover long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services through waivers, for eligible seniors who meet strict income, asset, and functional criteria.
TOPICAL GUIDES — HOW MEDICAID WORKS
EXPLORE MISSISSIPPI
Last updated: April 24, 2026. Sources: Mississippi Division of Medicaid, CMS Nursing Home Compare, Genworth 2024 Cost of Care Survey. Eligibility rules are set by each state Medicaid agency and update annually. We cite the agency name, statute, or CMS data source for every figure on this page; see our methodology and editor.