The Medicare Catastrophic Act of 1988 provides Spousal Impoverishment provisions. These provisions provide opportunities for married couples to plan and qualify for Medi-Cal.
After Medi-Cal qualification and the disabled spouse is moved into a nursing home, each state is required by federal law to establish a monthly income floor for the spouse. This is known as the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA). California uses the maximum MMMNA, allowing the spouse to have a minimum monthly income of $3,948 (for 2025).
In the context of Medi-Cal and long-term care, a “MMMNA petition” refers to a legal request to increase the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) for a community spouse, potentially allowing them to retain more income and assets.
If the community spouse’s income is less than the MMMNA, they can receive an allocation from the institutionalized spouse’s income until they reach the MMMNA. A petition for an increase is typically filed when the community spouse’s shelter costs exceed the Excess Shelter Allowance, or in other specific circumstances.