# Medicaid Estate Bill Waived for Caregiver

> Son's nine-year home care qualifies for $140k Medicaid waiver under state hardship rules.
- Title: Medicaid Estate Bill Waived for Caregiver · 24/7 Wall St.
- Summary: Son's nine-year home care qualifies for $140k Medicaid waiver under state hardship rules. A son who lived in his mother's home for nine years on $31,000…
- Keywords: medicaid, estate recovery, hardship waiver, caregiver, son, house, state, federal poverty level, 31000, 140000, pa code, 55 pa code
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/10/19/after-she-died-on-medicaid-the-state-sent-her-estate-a-140000-bill-and-named-the-house-her-son-had-lived-there-with-her-for-nine-years-on-31000-a-year-and-under-the-states-own-hardship-rule-t
- Author: David Beren
- Published: 2026-10-19T12:30:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: medicaid, estate recovery, hardship waiver, caregiver, son, house, state, federal poverty level, 31000, 140000, pa code, 55 pa code
## Medicaid Estate Recovery Bill
After a mother died on Medicaid, her state sent her estate a $140,000 bill for care costs and named the house as collateral.
## Hardship Waiver Rule
A state hardship waiver can cancel a six-figure estate recovery bill if a caregiver meets specific criteria.
## Son's Caregiving History
The son lived in the house with his mother for nine years on $31,000 annually before her Medicaid care began.
## State Hardship Criteria
Pennsylvania requires three tests: continuous residence for two years, no other permanent home, and at least two years of caregiving.
## Income Threshold
The son's household income of $31,000 is $920 under the 200% federal poverty level of $31,920 for one person.
## Claim Waiver Process
Heirs must document residence with tax returns, utility bills, and caregiving with physician letters to request a waiver within 30 days.
## State-Specific Rules
Virginia exempts homes worth 50% or less of the county median price, while Pennsylvania bars creditors from asking for waivers.
## Deadline for Action
A six-month gap in residence can break eligibility, and some states only delay recovery until the heir sells the house.
## What Happens Next
The son can avoid selling his mother's house by meeting the state's hardship waiver criteria within the deadline.
## Key takeaway

A son who lived in his mother's home for nine years on $31,000 annually qualifies for a Medicaid estate recovery waiver that cancels a $140,000 bill.