District of Columbia Medicaid Spend-Down & Look-Back Penalty Calculator
Estimate the District of Columbia Medicaid spend-down, spousal (CSRA) protection, and the penalty a gift within the 5-year look-back creates — with District of Columbia's 2026 figures pre-loaded.
Your Situation
Gifts & Transfers (Look-Back)
Your Estimate
How your assets break down
Look-back transfer penalty
Gift now vs. no gift
Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)
When one spouse enters care, the healthy “community” spouse can keep the CSRA. In 2026 the federal range is $32,532 to $162,660. Only assets above the CSRA plus the applicant’s allowance must be spent down.
Single vs. married — same assets
Your protected spousal amount
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District of Columbia uses the 50% model: the community spouse keeps about half of countable assets, between $32,532 and $162,660.
Also protected for the spouse
A minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA) shifts some of the applicant’s income to a low-income community spouse, and the family home is generally exempt while the spouse lives there. An elder-law attorney can often protect more.
Medicaid spend-down & look-back in District of Columbia (2026)
In District of Columbia, a single applicant for long-term-care Medicaid can keep $4,000 in countable assets in 2026 — everything above that must be spent down on care or other allowable costs before Medicaid pays for a nursing home. This page pre-loads the calculator with District of Columbia's own asset limit, spousal rules, and penalty divisor so the numbers reflect your state.
District of Columbia's 2026 Medicaid penalty divisor is $17,531.72 per month. A gift of $100,000 made inside the 60-month look-back would divide by that figure to create roughly 5.7 months of ineligibility — months during which you would private-pay for care. In District of Columbia the community spouse keeps about half of the couple's countable assets under the CSRA, between $32,532 and $162,660.
As in every state, District of Columbia's look-back reviews the 60 months of financial records before you apply, and transfers made earlier do not count. Your primary home up to an equity limit, one vehicle, household goods, and a small burial fund are generally exempt in District of Columbia and are not part of the spend-down. The District sets a higher individual asset limit (about $4,000). Confirm the current figure with DC Medicaid. Confirm exempt vs. countable assets with a certified elder-law attorney before acting.
District of Columbia figures were verified in July 2026 against the American Council on Aging and CMS spousal-impoverishment standards, and are reviewed annually. This is an educational estimate only — not legal or financial advice.
District of Columbia Medicaid FAQ
What is the Medicaid asset limit in District of Columbia in 2026?
In 2026, a single applicant for Nursing Home Medicaid in District of Columbia can keep $4,000 in countable (non-exempt) assets. Assets above that must be spent down before Medicaid begins paying. The home (to an equity limit), one car, and personal belongings are usually exempt.
How much is District of Columbia's Medicaid penalty divisor?
District of Columbia's 2026 penalty divisor is about $17,531.72 per month. Gifts or below-market transfers made within the five-year look-back are added together and divided by this figure to calculate how many months you are ineligible for Medicaid. A $100,000 gift, for example, creates about 5.7 months.
Can a spouse keep assets if one needs Medicaid in District of Columbia?
Yes. In District of Columbia the community (healthy) spouse can keep the Community Spouse Resource Allowance — about half of the couple's countable assets, between $32,532 and $162,660 in 2026. Only assets above the CSRA plus the applicant's allowance must be spent down.