Requirements for a married person to qualify for Medicaid under the Institutional Care (Nursing Home) Program are as follows:

• At least 65 years of age or disabled.
• Citizen of United States or alien who has been admitted as permanent resident.
• Resident of Florida. Anyone residing in a nursing home certified for Medicaid is considered a resident of Florida.
• Medical need for nursing home care as established by the CARES team of the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA).
• Assets for the applicant of less than $2,000  at least one day of each month of Medicaid eligibility. If the applicant's gross income is less than $808 per month, the applicant is allowed to have up to $5,000 in assets.
• Assets of the applicant's spouse of $109,560 at time of Medicaid application.
• Monthly GROSS available income not to exceed the State Income Standard ($2,022 as of January 2010).
• Under no disqualification  period during the look-back period because of transfer of assets or gifts in excess of $5,000 prior to November 1, 2007, and for gifts or charitable donations of any amount after November 1, 2007.

 Assets that are not counted in the asset limits:

·    Homestead - if the applicant intends to return home.

• Homestead - if a dependent SSI-disabled child lives there.
• Additional Property if rented or listed for sale at fair market value.
• Property used in trade or business.
• Vehicle - regardless of age or value.
• Additional vehicle(s) - if seven years old or older unless it is a luxury model, an antique or customized.
• Life Insurance - with no cash value.
• Life Insurance - with cash value - if the total face value of all life insurance policies is less than $2,500 per person.
• Irrevocable burial contracts.
• $2,500 per person designated for burial  expenses - revocable burial contracts, bank accounts designated for burial by notation in the title, or life insurance policies.
• One burial  plot per family member.
• Retirement accounts (IRAs) that are making regular automatic periodic distributions.

 Assets that are counted in the asset limits:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Brokerage accounts
• Certificates of deposit
• Stocks and bonds
• U.S. savings bonds
• Real Property
• Limited partnerships
• Life Insurance cash value if the total face value of all policies is greater than $2,500 per person.
• Boats
• Loans
• Annuities
• IRAs not making regular periodic distributions
• Any resource or item of value owned jointly by the applicant or the applicant's spouse.

Income included in $2,022 limit:

• Social Security
• Civil Service
• Pension
• Annuity payments
• Retirement accounts
• Interest
• Dividends
• Alimony
• Rental income
• Life insurance proceeds
• Long Term Care Insurance

Income excluded from $2,022 limit:

• Vendor payments
• Aid and Attendance from Veterans Administration
• Life insurance dividends