Washington's Apple Health Classic program covers seniors aged 65 and older who need full Medicaid coverage beyond what Medicare provides. One of the most confusing parts of qualifying is the asset test. Unlike income limits, which update each year based on the federal poverty level, the asset rules for seniors under Apple Health Classic follow SSI-related standards and have separate thresholds depending on whether you are applying for basic coverage or long-term care services.
This guide covers the 2026 asset limits, what counts as a countable resource, what is exempt, how married couples are treated, and what happens if your assets are over the limit.
What Is Apple Health Classic?
Apple Health is Washington State's Medicaid program, administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). "Apple Health Classic" refers to the traditional Medicaid coverage track, as opposed to the expanded coverage available to adults under 65 under the ACA expansion.
For seniors 65 and older, Apple Health Classic provides full health coverage including doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and in many cases long-term services like nursing facility care or home-based care through Medicaid waivers. Seniors who have Medicare may use Apple Health Classic as secondary coverage to fill gaps in cost-sharing.
2026 Asset Limits for Seniors 65+
Washington applies a countable resource limit to determine financial eligibility for Apple Health Classic. In 2026, the limits are:
| Situation | Countable Asset Limit |
|---|
| Single applicant | $2,000 |
| Married couple (both applying) | $3,000 |
| Married (one applying, no long-term care) | $2,000 (applicant); $72,529 to $162,660 (non-applicant spouse) |
The $2,000 limit applies to liquid and investable assets. This includes cash, savings accounts, checking accounts, certificates of deposit, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and similar financial holdings.
What Assets Are Exempt?
Washington does not count every asset you own toward the $2,000 limit. The following are generally exempt and will not disqualify you:
- Your primary home. Washington uses the higher federal home equity exemption, which is $1,130,000 in 2026. As long as you live in the home, or intend to return to it, it does not count as a resource. Note: Washington may seek estate recovery after the applicant's death.
- One vehicle. One automobile of any value is exempt, regardless of how much it is worth.
- Household goods and personal belongings. Furniture, clothing, appliances, and similar personal items do not count.
- Irrevocable burial trusts and prepaid funeral contracts. Funds set aside in an irrevocable trust for burial expenses are exempt up to a reasonable amount.
- Life insurance with no cash value. Term life insurance policies have no cash surrender value and are not counted.
- Life insurance with cash value up to $1,500. If the combined face value of all life insurance policies is $1,500 or less, the cash value is exempt.
Assets that do count and must stay under $2,000 include savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs, stocks, bonds, investment accounts, a second vehicle, vacation property, and most other real estate.
Long-Term Care Asset Limits
If you need nursing home care, adult family home care, or home-based care through a Medicaid waiver program, the same $2,000 individual asset limit applies. However, income limits are different for long-term care: Washington uses a Special Income Level of $2,982 per month (300% of the 2026 SSI Federal Benefit Rate), rather than the $994 per month limit used for basic Apple Health Classic.
| Program Track | Income Limit (Individual) | Asset Limit |
|---|
| Apple Health Classic (basic) | $994/month | $2,000 |
| Long-Term Care Medicaid | $2,982/month | $2,000 |
Spousal Protections for Married Couples
When only one spouse applies for Apple Health Classic with long-term care needs, Washington uses the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) to protect assets for the spouse who remains at home. In 2026:
- If the couple has $145,058 or less in combined countable assets, the non-applicant spouse may keep up to $72,529.
- If the couple has more than $145,058 in combined assets, the non-applicant spouse may keep 50% of the total, up to a maximum of $162,660.
- The applying spouse may keep $2,000.
Washington also protects income for the at-home spouse. The Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) is $2,705 per month effective July 1, 2026, meaning the non-applicant spouse is entitled to at least that much income per month. If their own income falls short, income from the applicant spouse can be transferred to meet it.
The Medically Needy Spend-Down Option
If your assets are within the limits but your income exceeds $994 per month (the Apple Health Classic income cap for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled category), you may still qualify through Washington's Medically Needy program. This pathway allows you to subtract medical expenses from your income to bring it down to the $994 eligibility threshold.
This works as follows: if your monthly income is $1,300 and the limit is $994, you have $306 of excess income. If you have at least $306 in qualifying medical bills in a given month, you can "spend down" and become income-eligible for that period. Qualifying expenses include Medicare premiums, prescription costs, doctor bills, and other out-of-pocket medical costs.
What Happens If You Are Over the Asset Limit?
If your countable assets exceed $2,000, you will not be approved for Apple Health Classic until you reduce them. There are legal ways to do this, but the rules are strict and lookback periods apply for long-term care Medicaid.
Options that may be appropriate depending on your situation include:
- Paying off debt (mortgage balance, credit cards, car loans)
- Prepaying funeral and burial expenses through an irrevocable trust
- Making home repairs or modifications
- Purchasing exempt household items or a newer vehicle
Transfers of assets to family members for less than fair market value within 60 months of applying for long-term care Medicaid can trigger a penalty period during which Washington will not pay for care. This lookback rule does not apply to the basic Apple Health Classic program for non-long-term-care applicants.
Consulting with a Medicaid planning attorney before making asset transfers is strongly recommended for anyone considering nursing home or home-based long-term care.
Income Limits Summary
For completeness, the income limits for Apple Health Classic for seniors 65+ in 2026 are:
| Household Size | Monthly Income Limit |
|---|
| Individual | $994/month |
| Couple (both applying) | $1,491/month |
These figures are based on the SSI Federal Benefit Rate and the Medically Needy Income Limit. Income that counts includes Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement account withdrawals, rental income, and wages. VA Aid and Attendance benefits above the basic level do not count toward the income limit in Washington.
How to Apply for Apple Health Classic as a Senior
Seniors aged 65 and older must apply for Apple Health Classic through a separate pathway from the standard ACA Medicaid expansion application. The steps are:
-
Gather documents. Collect proof of age (birth certificate or passport), proof of Washington residency, Social Security number, proof of income (recent Social Security award letter, pension statement), and recent bank statements or asset records.
-
Choose an application method. You can apply:
- Online at Washington Connection
- By phone: call DSHS at 877-501-2233
- In person at your local DSHS Community Services Office
- By mail, using form HCA 18-005 (Application for Long-Term Care/Aged, Blind, Disabled Coverage), mailed to: DSHS Community Services Division, Customer Service Center, PO Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699
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Complete the application. Select the "Health Care Coverage for Aged, Blind and Disabled" option on the application. You do not need to complete a separate interview for basic coverage.
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Submit supporting documents. DSHS will send a request for verification if needed. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
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Receive your decision. DSHS will send a letter with the eligibility determination. If approved, your ProviderOne services card arrives within approximately two weeks. Coverage generally begins on the first day of the month you submitted your application.
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Appeal if denied. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a fair hearing within 90 days of the denial notice.
For help with the application, you can also contact the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program at 1-800-562-6900, which provides free counseling to Medicare and Medicaid applicants in Washington.
Check Your Eligibility
Asset limits, income rules, and exempt property categories can be difficult to navigate on your own. Use the free screener at BenefitsUSA.org/screener to get a quick estimate of whether you or a family member may qualify for Apple Health Classic or other Washington benefits programs.
For more information on all Washington State health coverage options, visit our Washington benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the asset limit for Apple Health Classic for a single senior in 2026?
The countable asset limit is $2,000 for a single individual aged 65 or older applying for Apple Health Classic in Washington in 2026. Your primary home, one vehicle, and household belongings do not count toward this limit.
Does my house count against the $2,000 asset limit?
No. Your primary home is exempt from the countable resource calculation as long as you live in it or intend to return. Washington uses the higher federal home equity exemption of $1,130,000 in 2026, so only very high-value primary residences are affected.
Does my car count toward the asset limit?
No. Washington exempts one automobile of any value for Apple Health Classic applicants. If you own a second vehicle, its equity value would count as a countable resource.
What if I have more than $2,000 in savings?
You would need to reduce your countable assets to $2,000 or below before you can be approved. Acceptable ways to do this include paying off debts, prepaying funeral expenses through an irrevocable burial trust, or purchasing exempt assets. Asset transfers to family members for less than fair market value may trigger penalties for long-term care applicants.
Can my spouse keep their assets if I apply for nursing home Medicaid?
Yes. Washington protects the assets of the spouse who stays at home (the community spouse). In 2026, the community spouse may keep between $72,529 and $162,660 in countable assets, depending on how much the couple owns in total.
What if my income is too high for Apple Health Classic?
If your income exceeds $994 per month, you may qualify through the Medically Needy spend-down program. You subtract qualifying medical expenses from your income to bring it down to the eligibility threshold. You can also check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, which helps pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing without a strict income test.
When does Apple Health Classic coverage start?
If approved, coverage typically begins on the first day of the month you submitted your application. A ProviderOne card arrives within about two weeks of approval.
How do I apply for Apple Health Classic as a senior in Washington?
Seniors 65 and older can apply online at Washington Connection (washingtonconnection.org), by calling DSHS at 877-501-2233, in person at a local DSHS office, or by mailing form HCA 18-005 to the DSHS Customer Service Center in Tacoma.
