Can I claim my dad as a dependent, he receives medicaid. He lives in my house. He is disabled and cannot work. Will claiming affect his eligibility? NY Resident.

[Tony2]

I am 29 Years old. I purchased a home for myself and my parents have moved in with me. My dad had a heart transplant and is disabled and cannot work. He has been on medicaid. Can I claim him as a dependent? Since he does not work, he makes $0/Annually. My mom works but makes very low income. In the past they filed jointly while my mom was claiming him as a dependent. He still qualified for Medicaid.

If I claim him, does that affect his Medicaid eligibility? I live in NY which has the Medicaid expansion. However I want to make sure my income does not count towards his MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) which could affect his eligibility.

I cannot afford his heart transplant medication.

[ChristopherP]

It sounds like it, based on the description of your situation. 

Here is a link to the IRS "test" determining dependency: https://www.irs.gov/uac/who-can-i-claim-as-a-dependent

It only takes a few minutes to complete and should answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Hope this helps!

[Tony2]

The thing is that I know I CAN claim him, but doing so might change my dad's MAGI which would cause changes to his coverage, I guess what Im really asking is will my income count as "his" when he is renewing Medicaid?

[ChristopherP]

It shouldn't. Let me follow up to be certain.

[ChristopherP]

If you claim your father as a dependent on your tax return, it won’t affect his Medicaid eligibility in future years. But you may run into problems claiming him as a dependent in the same year as he’s receiving Medicaid benefits. If the dollar value of Medicaid services exceeds half of your parent’s support, you can’t claim him as a dependent. Medicaid eligibility requirements are different from state to state, so you’ll want to talk to your state’s department of Human Services about it.

[Tony2]

Okay. I was afraid so.. However I eFiled yesterday already both Federal and State. I assume I just have to make an amendment?

[ChristopherP]

Yes, unfortunately.