Updated figures for 2026 offer stronger protections for Illinois seniors and their spouses.
Most Americans aged 65 and older will need some form of long-term care in their later years. The cost of such care has been steadily increasing — in 2024, the average monthly cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home reached $9,277, but for the Chicago metropolitan area the average is closer to $12,000 per month. For many families in Illinois and across the country, these costs can be financially devastating.
Thankfully, Medicaid provides a critical safety net for millions of older adults who need long-term care services. And each year, the federal and state governments update key financial thresholds that help protect seniors and their families. Here’s what Illinois residents need to know about the 2026 Medicaid figures.
The Rising Cost of Long-Term Care
Long-term care expenses — including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in-home services — have continued to climb year over year. Without proper planning, these costs can quickly exhaust a lifetime of savings. For married couples, the situation becomes especially difficult when one spouse requires facility-based care while the other continues to live at home.
This is precisely why Medicaid’s spousal protection rules are so important. They are designed to prevent the “community spouse” (the one living at home) from becoming impoverished while paying for the other spouse’s care.
Income & Asset Requirements for Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to Americans with limited income and relatively few assets. The eligibility requirements are strict: in Illinois, an individual cannot have more than $17,500 in countable assets to qualify for Medicaid long-term care benefits.
Assets that are typically counted include bank accounts, investments, cash values of insurance policies, and most real property. However, certain assets — such as a primary home (under specific conditions), one vehicle, and personal belongings — are generally exempt from this calculation.
Protecting the Spouse at Home
If you are married and your spouse needs Medicaid-funded long-term care, a natural concern is whether you’ll be left with almost nothing. Federal and state law protects against this outcome through two key provisions: the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) and the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA).
2026 Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA)
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issues updated CSRA figures. Illinois then further sets a limit on how much of a married couple’s assets the community spouse can retain while their partner receives Medicaid long-term care benefits.
| 2026 CSRA in Illinois $143,172 Effective January 2026 |
Starting in January 2026, a spouse who continues to live at home while their partner receives Medicaid long-term care benefits can retain up to $143,172 in countable assets. State Medicaid programs can set their specific limits anywhere within the federal minimum and maximum range.
2026 Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA)
Beyond asset protection, Medicaid also recognizes that the community spouse needs sufficient income to meet basic living expenses. The Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) sets the floor for how much monthly income the community spouse is entitled to receive.
| 2026 MMMNA — Illinois $4,066.50/month Maximum monthly income allowance for the community spouse |
If the community spouse’s income falls below the applicable minimum, they may be entitled to receive a portion of the Medicaid recipient spouse’s income to make up the difference.
Why These Updates Matter for Illinois Families
The rising costs of long-term care — including nursing homes, assisted living, and in-home services — can rapidly deplete a couple’s life savings. Without the protections offered by the CSRA and MMMNA, the healthy spouse remaining at home could face severe financial hardship, potentially losing the ability to cover basic living expenses like housing, food, and utilities.
By updating these allowances each year in line with inflation and cost-of-living pressures, CMS and the State of Illinois help ensure that Medicaid’s long-term care eligibility rules remain fair and realistic. For Illinois families, the 2026 figures represent a meaningful improvement in financial protection — and can make a real difference in quality of life for thousands of families navigating the long-term care system.
Planning Ahead Is Critical
Medicaid planning for long-term care is complex and highly fact-specific. The rules around what counts as an asset, how income is calculated, and which strategies are permissible vary from state to state and change each year. Working with an elder law attorney in Illinois can help you understand your options and take steps to protect your family’s financial future — ideally before a crisis arises.
If you have questions about how the 2026 Medicaid rates apply to your situation, or if you’re concerned about protecting your spouse’s financial security while accessing long-term care benefits, schedule a consult to discuss your options.
