# She’ll Put Dividend Portfolio in Trust Before Nursing Home

> Widow moves dividend portfolio to irrevocable trust to avoid Medicaid touch, but $800 monthly income still counts toward nursing home bills.
- Title: She’ll Put Dividend Portfolio in Trust Before Nursing Home
- Summary: Widow moves dividend portfolio to irrevocable trust to avoid Medicaid touch, but $800 monthly income still counts toward nursing home bills.
- Keywords: dividend portfolio, irrevocable trust, medicaid, nursing home, monthly income, trust income, medicaid rules, federal trust rules, 24/7 Wall St.
- Source: 24/7 Wall St. — https://247wallst.com/personal-finance/2026/11/13/shell-put-a-dividend-portfolio-into-an-irrevocable-trust-before-entering-a-nursing-home-medicaid-may-still-count-the-800-monthly-income-toward-her-care
- Author: Gerelyn Terzo
- Published: 2026-11-13T22:34:03+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dividend portfolio, irrevocable trust, medicaid, nursing home, monthly income, trust income, medicaid rules, federal trust rules
## Widow’s Dividend Portfolio Strategy
Widow moves dividend portfolio into irrevocable trust before nursing home entry to shield assets from Medicaid.
## Medicaid Counts $800 Monthly Income
Medicaid may still count the $800 monthly income from trust portfolio toward nursing home care costs.
## Federal Trust Rules Apply
Federal statute 42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d) uses the 'any circumstance' test for Medicaid trust eligibility.
## Trust Income Treatment
Trust income can count as Medicaid income if payments reach widow’s benefit or are made for her care.
## 60-Month Look-Back Period
Funding trust within 60-month look-back window may trigger Medicaid penalty period for coverage delay.
## Trust Language Decides Outcome
Trust terms determine if principal, income, or payments count as Medicaid assets or income.
## Suze Orman’s Warning
Suze Orman warned on podcast that trust control could be lost if trustee dies or steps down.
## Key takeaway

Widow funds dividend portfolio in irrevocable trust before nursing home to shield assets, but Medicaid still counts $800 monthly income toward care costs.