Meji Home
MLTCOP and MEJI join the Statewide Resident Council in Advocating to Raise the Nursing Home Personal Needs Allowance
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and MEJI are proud to support the Statewide Residents' Council in advocating for an increase in the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents on Medicaid. The $60 allowance, which was adopted decades ago, is the amount of monthly income most nursing home residents are allowed to keep if their stay is being paid for by Medicaid.
Residents need to rely on the limited allowance for everything from their cellphone contracts and clothes, to haircuts, personal care items, reading material, snacks, and stamps and birthday cards for their family or friends. Many find that they have to make painful choices between urgently needed items and often have to wait months to save up for a small item or go without. They tell ombudsmen that having enough money for their basic expenses is a matter of dignity as well as necessity.
The allowance hasn't been raised in more than 30 years. If adjusted for inflation, it would be more than double its current rate. Many other states have significantly increased their allowances to between $100-200/month. A number of states also tie their allowances to a cost of living adjustment so that the allowance keeps pace with inflation.
The Statewide Residents' Council is advocating for an increase to $125. MLTCOP and MEJI support the increase as well as an annual cost of living adjustment for the allowance. While the increase would make a huge difference for residents, it would require only a very modest additional cost in the state Medicaid budget.
MEJI and MLTCOP appreciate the recent media coverage on this important issue. Members of the Statewide Resident Council and MEJI's director, Alison Hirschel, were quoted in the February 13, 2026 Detroit Free Press story and Alison participated in an interview on February 16th on the All Talk with Kevin Dietz show about the allowance.
The Statewide Residents' Council is advocating for an increase to $125. MLTCOP and MEJI support the increase as well as an annual cost of living adjustment for the allowance. While the increase would make a huge difference for residents, it would require only a very modest additional cost in the state Medicaid budget.
MEJI and MLTCOP appreciate the recent media coverage on this important issue. Members of the Statewide Resident Council and MEJI's director, Alison Hirschel, were quoted in the February 13, 2026 Detroit Free Press story and Alison participated in an interview on February 16th on the All Talk with Kevin Dietz show about the allowance.
Individuals interested in sharing their views on the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents can contact their local legislators and the Governor.