Real property used as the principal place of residence by an applicant/recipient, the spouse, or dependent relatives and land and related outbuildings necessary to the operation of the home, regardless of their value, are excluded as long as the applicant/recipient, the spouse or relatives live in the property.

1. (1) Temporary absences from the home for such things as trips and hospitalizations do not affect the exclusion of the home if the applicant/recipient intends to return to the home. An absence from the home of at least 6 months may be an indication that the home is no longer the principal place of residence of the applicant/recipient.
2. (2) The home of an institutionalized applicant/recipient that had been used as his principal place of residence before he was institutionalized is excluded as a resource, if the institutionalized applicant/recipient states, in writing, that it is his intent to return to his home or if the home remains the principal place of residence of the institutionalized applicant’s/recipient’s spouse or dependent relative. If the person is incapable of providing the information, statements of intent to return are acceptable from a person with authority to act on behalf of the institutionalized applicant/recipient.

Cross References

This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 178.63 (relating to real property not excluded as a home); 55 Pa. Code § 178.91 (relating to deeming of resources); 55 Pa. Code § 178.121 (relating to general); 55 Pa. Code § 178.122 (relating to determining the spousal share of resources if the institutionalized spouse is not applying for MA); and 55 Pa. Code § 178.123 (relating to determining the spousal share of resources at the same time the institutionalized spouse applies for MA).