Dependent and Medicaid

[purplestar777]

Can an adult parent who has no earnings (unemployeed) qualify for Medicaid and be my dependent on my tax return without repercussions to me?

I.e., can I be forced to pay for their healthcare if they are my dependent?

If I do not claim them as my dependent, can they then receive Medicaid if I provide their shelter (they live in my house)?

This is in NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Thanks

[MaryK4]

You must be very careful claiming a dependent if they are on Medicaid- by claiming them on your tax return you are saying that you are providing more than half of their support, and this may affect their qualification.  The credit for other dependents is only $500.

You cannot be forced to pay their healthcare, but having the Medicaid is better than worrying about the costs. 

You would have to check with your state, but providing housing usually does not affect Medicaid availability.

[purplestar777]

Thank you for reply @MaryK4 

It's more than $500 at stake: If they are my dependent, I'd get to claim Head of Household status VS being "single" filer. HoH provides higher deductible, so it saves thousands of dollars.

But I don't want risk having to repay the cost of medicaid as it would be unaffordable to me.

So, I want to  make sure I am compliant.

[MaryK4]

@purplestar777 Yes, I completely understand and am glad that you asked.  I wish it was not the case, but the health insurance is so expensive but especially necessary for parents.  

[purplestar777]

@MaryK4 

So, you recommend NOT claiming the parent as dependent if them having Medicaid is priority, correct?

Thank you

[ThomasM125]

You may want to check regarding the qualifications for Medicaid as it relates to someone providing support for the recipient. It may be similar to an individual having to declare that they can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return. It doesn't matter if they are actually claimed as such, the mere ability to be claimed as a dependent denies tax filers certain benefits. It may be the same with Medicaid recipients. If so, it may be prudent to claim the individual as a dependent since the mere fact that they qualify as such may deny them Medicaid benefits.

[purplestar777]

Thank you @ThomasM125 

Who would you recommend to check it with? I tried calling NH DHHS (Department of Health) who administer Medicaid, but their support were very unknowledgeable.

Thanks!

[Vanessa A]

You can try your local county assistance office.  They may either know or can point you in the direction of who to ask.