What is the income limit for Medicaid nursing homes in Florida?

Florida's Medicaid nursing home income limit is $2,901/month (2025 — 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate). Florida is an income-cap state: if monthly income exceeds this amount, the applicant is ineligible unless a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is established. A Florida elder law attorney can set up a Miller Trust for $1,500–$3,000.

Does Florida require a Miller Trust for Medicaid?

Yes. Florida is an income-cap state. Applicants whose monthly income exceeds $2,901 (2025) must establish a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) before Medicaid will approve nursing home coverage. Each month, excess income is deposited into the trust and used to pay care costs; Medicaid covers the remainder. The trust must be properly drafted by a Florida elder law attorney.

What is Florida's SMMC-LTC program?

Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC-LTC) program is the primary vehicle for nursing home Medicaid in Florida. Eligible Floridians are enrolled with a managed care plan (such as Humana, WellCare, or Molina) that coordinates all LTC services. SMMC-LTC also covers home and community-based services for those who prefer to avoid nursing home placement.

Medicaid & Nursing Homes

Florida Medicaid Nursing Home Guide (2026) | Income Limits & Miller Trust

Florida nursing home Medicaid: $2,901/month income cap, $2,000 asset limit, Miller Trust requirement, PACE program, and SMMC-LTC managed care enrollment.

9 min readUpdated 2026-07-11

Florida is an income-cap Medicaid state, meaning applicants whose income exceeds $2,901/month (2025) must use a Miller Trust to qualify for nursing home Medicaid. With 4.52 million seniors and 20.9% of the population over 65, Florida's Medicaid LTC system serves more elderly residents than almost any other state.

Florida Medicaid LTC fast facts (2025)

Income limit: $2,901/month (income-cap state — Miller Trust required if over limit)
Asset limit: $2,000 individual countable assets
Community spouse asset allowance: up to $154,140 (federal maximum)
Look-back period: 60 months (5 years)
Program: SMMC-LTC (Statewide Medicaid Managed Care – Long-Term Care)
Application agency: Florida DCF — ACCESS Florida (accessflorida.com)

Miller Trust in Florida

A Florida Miller Trust (officially a 'Qualified Income Trust') must be established before Medicaid will pay. The trust holds the monthly income above $2,901. Those funds pay for personal care costs and facility room-and-board obligations; Medicaid covers the rest. A Florida elder law attorney (Bar-certified elder law or CELA designation) should draft the trust documents.

PACE program in Florida

Florida seniors who qualify for nursing-home level of care and live in a PACE service area may enroll in PACE instead of institutional Medicaid. PACE provides comprehensive care while allowing participants to live at home. See our full PACE guide for Florida locations and enrollment steps.

PACE program guide

Apply for Florida Medicaid LTC

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the income limit for Medicaid nursing homes in Florida?: Florida's Medicaid nursing home income limit is $2,901/month (2025 — 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate). Florida is an income-cap state: if monthly income exceeds this amount, the applicant is ineligible unless a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) is established. A Florida elder law attorney can set up a Miller Trust for $1,500–$3,000.
Does Florida require a Miller Trust for Medicaid?: Yes. Florida is an income-cap state. Applicants whose monthly income exceeds $2,901 (2025) must establish a Miller Trust (Qualified Income Trust) before Medicaid will approve nursing home coverage. Each month, excess income is deposited into the trust and used to pay care costs; Medicaid covers the remainder. The trust must be properly drafted by a Florida elder law attorney.
What is Florida's SMMC-LTC program?: Florida's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC-LTC) program is the primary vehicle for nursing home Medicaid in Florida. Eligible Floridians are enrolled with a managed care plan (such as Humana, WellCare, or Molina) that coordinates all LTC services. SMMC-LTC also covers home and community-based services for those who prefer to avoid nursing home placement.

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