Medicaid limits by state › North Carolina
Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility in North Carolina (2026)
To qualify for Medicaid-paid nursing home or long-term care in North Carolina in 2026, a single applicant must generally have no more than $2,000 in countable assets and income at or below $2,982 / month. Medically needy / spend-down state.
North Carolina 2026 limits at a glance
| Test | 2026 standard in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Countable asset limit (single) | $2,000 |
| Countable asset limit (couple, both applying) | $3,000 |
| Income limit | $2,982 / month |
| Home equity limit | $752,000 |
| Spousal asset allowance (CSRA) | Community spouse may keep between $32,532 and $162,660 of the couple's assets |
| Spousal income allowance (MMNA) | Minimum $2,705/month |
| Look-back period | 60 months (asset transfers for less than fair value can cause a penalty period) |
How North Carolina treats income
This is a medically needy (spend-down) state: income above the limit can be spent down on medical and care expenses to qualify.
Check your own eligibility
Enter your assets, income and marital status to see whether you pass all three financial tests in North Carolina — and if not, by how much, and which lawful pathways exist:
Open the Medicaid eligibility estimator →What does care cost in North Carolina?
See median nursing home, assisted living and home care prices for North Carolina:
North Carolina senior care costs →Sources: 2026 federal Medicaid standards (CMS) and published state standards compiled by the American Council on Aging. This page is a planning estimate, not a determination — only the North Carolina Medicaid agency can decide eligibility. Rules change; verify before making financial moves, ideally with an elder law attorney.