Ask Larry

Hi,
In a nutshell:
My husband died 11/25/16 he was 43
I have 2 children ages 9 & 11
We receive $2832 a month from SS
I work part time at a school and average $3000
A year in compensation.
Can we get medicaid if go to work full time? (I can barely make ends meet with what we are receiving.)
How much can I earn to still receive medicaid?
Help???

Elise

Hi Elise,

I'm sorry for your loss.

Unfortunately, I can't answer your question because Social Security is my only area of expertise, not Medicaid.

I can tell you that if you're drawing child in care spousal benefits and you start working full time and you earn more than the Social Security earnings test exempt amount ($17040 in 2018), then you will lose $1 of your benefits for each $2 that your earnings exceed the exempt amount. However, part or all of the benefits you lose may then be payable to your children depending on how the family maximum benefit applies in your case. If you're considering returning to work full time you may want to check with Social Security to see how it would affect your family's benefits.

Best, Jerry