South Carolina Medicaid for Nursing Home Care (2026)
In South Carolina, nursing home Medicaid is called Healthy Connections Medicaid (nursing facility) and is run by the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Here are the rules that decide who qualifies, in plain English, with links to the official sources.
Countable savings and property a single applicant can keep. The home, one car, personal belongings and a burial fund usually do not count.
A firm limit on gross monthly income. Someone with more can still qualify by setting up Income trust (Qualified Income Trust / Miller trust).
What the resident keeps each month for personal items. Most other income goes to the nursing home.
Gifts or transfers for less than fair value in this window can delay coverage.
Figures for 2026. Checked against official sources October 2026.
If the applicant is married
Federal “spousal impoverishment” rules protect the spouse who stays at home, so they are not left without money.
- Savings the at-home spouse can keep: between $32,532 and $162,660 in 2026, depending on how South Carolina applies the rule and the couple’s total assets.
- Monthly income for the at-home spouse: at least $2,705 a month and up to $4,066.50, topped up from the resident’s income if needed.
- The home: usually protected while a spouse lives there. Without a spouse at home, equity above $752,000 (up to $1,130,000 in some states) can make an applicant ineligible.
How to apply
- Start early. States must decide most applications within 45 days, but missing paperwork often makes it longer. Ask whether coverage can be backdated to the months before you applied.
- Gather records: ID, Medicare and insurance cards, proof of income, and bank and investment statements (often for the full look-back period).
- Apply with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: official application page, or call 1-888-549-0820 (SCDHHS Member Help Center).
- Ask the nursing home for help. Most have a business office or social worker who handles Medicaid applications every week.
Good to know in South Carolina
South Carolina's personal needs allowance doubled from $30 to $60 a month in October 2025. An income trust must be reviewed by SCDHHS before it counts.
Nursing homes in South Carolina that accept Medicaid
159 of the 187 nursing homes in South Carolina on Medicare’s list accept Medicaid. Medicaid beds can be limited, so ask each home whether it has one available and whether it will keep a resident who moves from private pay to Medicaid.
Find homes that accept Medicaid in South Carolina → All nursing homes in South Carolina Best-rated homes in South Carolina
Free help
The South Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman (1-800-868-9095) helps nursing home residents and families with problems, including Medicaid admissions and discharges, at no cost. For planning around a home, savings or a spouse, a certified elder law attorney can advise on what is allowed.
Questions about Medicaid in South Carolina
Does Medicaid pay for nursing homes in South Carolina?
Yes. Healthy Connections Medicaid (nursing facility) pays for long-term nursing home care for people who need that level of care and meet the income and asset rules. Medicare, by contrast, covers only short rehab stays after a hospital admission.
How much money can you have to qualify for Medicaid in South Carolina?
A single applicant can have up to $2,000 in countable assets (2026 figure). The home, one car and personal belongings usually do not count.
What is the Medicaid look-back period in South Carolina?
60 months. Gifts or sales below value during that time can cause a period when Medicaid will not pay for care.
How much income does a nursing home resident on Medicaid keep in South Carolina?
$60 a month for personal needs. Most other income goes toward the cost of care, after any allowance for a spouse at home.
Sources
- SCDHHS Medicaid Eligibility Programs effective March 1, 2026 (scdhhs.gov, PDF)
- Institutional income limit $2,982 (scdhhs.gov)
- Personal needs allowance raised from $30 to $60 for nursing facility… (scdhhs.gov)
- Form 3401 nursing home application (scdhhs.gov, PDF)
- Nursing facility program page (scdhhs.gov)
- SC Department on Aging Long Term Care Ombudsman (aging.sc.gov)
- Corroborates 2026 $2,000/$2,982 limits, $60 personal needs allowance,… (medicaidplanningassistance.org)
- CMS: 2026 SSI and spousal impoverishment standards
- CMS: spousal impoverishment standards effective July 1, 2026
This page explains the general rules and is not legal or financial advice. Medicaid rules change, and each case depends on the details: confirm with the state agency before making decisions. Medicare vs. Medicaid · Nursing home cost planner · VA benefits for veterans