At the beginning of each year, all the federal and state benefits from Medicaid to Social Security and Veterans benefits change. Social Security payments increase. Medicare premiums increase. Medicaid financial eligibility standards change, Veterans benefits increase. And, tax exemptions change. This chart identifies many of the most common program changes. Compare the 2021 changes to the 2020 numbers.
If you have questions about your eligibility or the changes to these programs, schedule an appointment without our office or an elder law attorney near you.
| Medicare Part A | |
| Hospital Co-Pay per Benefit Period | $1,484.00 |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Per Day Co-Pay for Days 1 – 20 | $0.00 |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Per Day Co-Pay for Days 21 – 100 | $185.50 |
| Medicare Part B | |
| Premium Per Month for Individuals with less than $85,000/year income | $148.50 |
| Premium Per Month for Individuals making more than $85,000/year | $207.90-$507.90 |
| Yearly Deductible | $203.00 |
| Social Security | |
| Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) | 1.3% |
| Maximum Benefit at Full Retirement | $3,148.00 |
| Maximum Taxable Earnings | $142,800.00 |
| Substantial Gainful Activity Limit (Not Blind) | $1,310.00 |
| Substantial Gainful Activity Limit (Blind) | $2,190.00 |
| Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | |
| Individual Maximum Benefit Rate | $794.00 |
| Couple Maximum Benefit Rate | $1,191.00 |
| Individual Maximum Resource Limit | $2,000.00 |
| Couple Maximum Resource Limit | $3,000.00 |
| Medicaid (SSI Related Programs) | |
| Individual Income Limit | $2,382.00 |
| Individual Asset Limit (Countable Assets) | $2,000.00 |
| Couple Asset Limit (Countable Assets) | $3,000.00 |
| Maximum Community Spouse Resource Allowance | $130,380.00 |
| Minimum Community Spouse Resource Allowance | $26,076.00 |
| Maximum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (until 6/30/2021) | $3,259.50 |
| Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (until 6/30/2021) | $2,155.00 |
| Minimum Home Equity Limit | $603,000.00 |
| Maximum Home Equity Limit | $906,000.00 |
| Florida Medicaid Transfer Penalty Divisor (effective 7/1/2019) | $9,485.00 |
| Florida Monthly Personal Needs Allowance (in nursing home) | $130.00 |
| Montana Medicaid Transfer Penalty Divisor (2020) | $242.12/day |
| Montana Monthly Personal Needs Allowance (in nursing home) | $50.00 |
| Veterans Benefits (Pension, Aid & Attendance) | |
| Net Worth Limit for Pension | $130,773.00 |
| Maximum Annual Pension Rate (Single Veteran) | $13,931.00 |
| Housebound (Single Veteran) | $17,024.00 |
| Aid & Attendance (Single Veteran) | $23,238.00 |
| Maximum Annual Pension Rate (Widow) | $12,229.00 |
| Housebound (Widow) | $14,300.00 |
| Aid & Attendance (Widow) | $17,815.00 |
| Estate & Gift Taxes | |
| Gift Tax Exemption | $11.7 million |
| Estate Tax Exemption | $11.7 million |
| Annual Gift Tax Exclusion | $15,000.00 |
| Miscellaneous Important Numbers | |
| Florida Hourly Minimum Wage (until 9/30/21) | $8.65 |
| Montana Hourly Minimum Wage | $8.75 |
| Federal Hourly Minimum Wage | $7.25 |
| IRS Mileage Rate Per Mile | 56 cents |
| ABLE Account Contribution Limit | $15,000.00 |
| ABLE Account Limit | $100,000.00 |
