How Medicaid Can Help Pay for Long-Term Care in Connecticut

Q: What is Connecticut's Medicaid asset limit for long-term care?

$1,600 for a single applicant in 2026 — the strictest asset limit of any state, well below the $2,000 federal standard most states use. A bill to raise it to $5,000 passed committee in March 2026 but has not yet become law.

Q: What happens if my income is over Connecticut's limit?

Connecticut is an income-cap state — if your monthly income exceeds $2,982, you'll need to establish a Qualified Income Trust (QIT, also called a Miller Trust) before HUSKY C long-term care Medicaid will be approved.

Published August 28, 2026 How we keep this accurate

This page is Connecticut-specific. Medicaid long-term care rules vary significantly by state. See our national Medicaid Waivers Explained guide if you're elsewhere.

The number that matters most: $1,600

Connecticut's asset limit for long-term care Medicaid — branded HUSKY C for seniors, blind, and disabled residents — is $1,600 for a single applicant in 2026. That's not just below the $2,000 federal standard most states use; it's the strictest limit of any state in the country. A senior with $1,601 in savings, even money set aside from a recent Social Security check, technically exceeds it.

This may be changing. A bill passed Connecticut's Aging Committee in March 2026 to raise the HUSKY C asset limit to $5,000 (single) and $7,500 (married) — but it has not yet become law. The current $1,600/$2,400 limits remain in effect. Check portal.ct.gov for updates before assuming the higher limit applies.

Nursing Home Medicaid vs. CHCPE (the HCBS waiver)

	Nursing Home Medicaid	CHCPE (home/community care)
Guaranteed if eligible?	Yes — an entitlement	No — enrollment caps, waitlists possible
2026 income limit	$2,982/month	$2,982/month
2026 asset limit	$1,600 (single)	$1,600 (single)
Where care happens	Medicaid-certified nursing home	Your own home or community setting

Source: Connecticut DSS, HUSKY Health program guidance; figures effective 2026.

CHCPE — the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders — is the primary HCBS waiver for residents 65+ who need long-term care support but want to stay at home. Services include personal care assistance, homemaker services, adult day care, home-delivered meals, case management, and respite care. It's a non-entitlement program with enrollment caps, so applying before care becomes urgent matters.

If your income is over the limit: the Qualified Income Trust

Connecticut is an income-cap state — if your monthly income exceeds $2,982, you can't simply "spend down" income the way you can with assets. Instead, a Qualified Income Trust (QIT, sometimes called a Miller Trust) needs to be established before HUSKY C long-term care Medicaid will approve your application. This is a real legal structure, not paperwork you complete yourself — an elder law attorney sets this up correctly.

Spousal protections, if you're married

Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA): the non-applicant spouse can keep up to $162,660 — separate from the applicant's $1,600 limit.

Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA): $2,643.75/month — if the community spouse's income falls below this, income from the applicant spouse can be transferred to bring them up to it, with a shelter-cost adjustment available up to $4,066.50/month for high housing costs.

The look-back period

Connecticut reviews asset transfers going back 60 months (5 years) before your application. Gifts or transfers for less than fair value in that window can trigger a penalty period of ineligibility — this is exactly the kind of planning that needs a real elder law attorney, not a DIY approach, given how strict the state's asset limit already is.

How to actually start

Contact Connecticut DSS about CHCPE enrollment and current wait times directly — this isn't published as a fixed number and changes with available slots.

Given the $1,600 limit, spend-down planning is especially relevant here — see Medicaid Spend-Down Basics and talk to a real elder law attorney before transferring any assets. See Questions to Ask an Elder Law Attorney first.

Common Questions

What is Connecticut's Medicaid asset limit for long-term care?

$1,600 for a single applicant in 2026 — the strictest of any state. A bill to raise it to $5,000 passed committee but hasn't become law yet.

What is CHCPE?

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders — the state's primary HCBS waiver for residents 65+ needing long-term care at home.

What happens if my income is over Connecticut's limit?

You'll need a Qualified Income Trust (QIT/Miller Trust) established before HUSKY C long-term care Medicaid will be approved.