Stamford Senior AdvisorWhat can the spouse at home keep in Connecticut in 2026?
The community spouse can keep a protected share of the couple's countable assets, up to $162,660 in 2026 with a Connecticut minimum of $50,000, plus the home within its equity limit, while the spouse in the nursing home qualifies for HUSKY C.
| 2026 spousal protection (Connecticut) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Community spouse protected amount, maximum | $162,660 |
| Community spouse protected amount, Connecticut minimum | $50,000 |
| Maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance | $4,066.50 |
| Home equity limit for long-term care | $1,130,000 |
Source: DSS program standards chart effective 1/1/2026 and CMS 2026 spousal impoverishment standards.
DSS takes a snapshot of the couple's combined countable assets when the institutionalized spouse begins a continuous period of care, and the protected amount is generally half of that total within the minimum and maximum. Assets above the protected amount must be spent down on care or other permitted purposes.
Can the spouse at home keep some of the other spouse's income?
Yes: if the community spouse's own income is below the allowed maintenance level, part of the institutionalized spouse's income can be diverted to them, up to a maximum of $4,066.50 a month in 2026.
The calculation depends on the at-home spouse's own income and shelter costs. DSS does it as part of the HUSKY C application; an elder law attorney can check it and, where justified, ask for a higher allowance at a fair hearing.
Do spousal protections apply to home care too?
Spousal protections also apply when the spouse needing care qualifies for the Medicaid-funded levels of the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, which lets many Fairfield County couples keep one spouse at home with services.
That route can be far cheaper than a nursing home for both the family and the state. Ask the CHCPE care manager how the spousal rules apply, and ask DSS for written confirmation of the protected amount.
What mistakes do couples make?
The most common mistakes are spending down on the wrong things, moving assets without understanding the five-year look-back, and waiting too long to apply so months of private payment are lost.
Permitted spend-downs, such as paying off a mortgage on the home, home repairs, a car or prepaid funeral arrangements, can protect value for the at-home spouse. Gifts to children generally cannot. Get advice before acting.
At a glance
| Spousal protections do | Spousal protections do not | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Protect up to $162,660 for the spouse at home (2026) | Protect assets for children or other relatives |
| Income | Allow up to $4,066.50 a month to the spouse at home | Apply to a single applicant |
| Home | Keep the home exempt while the spouse lives there | Erase the five-year look-back |
Sources include the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (19-13-D105 and related sections), the Connecticut General Statutes as summarized by the Office of Legislative Research, DPH, DSS and Aging and Disability Services pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
