Do Guard Your Money: It’s Your Money – Stimulus Checks!
In a very crucial advisory, the Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has called for nursing home residents and their families to protect their federal stimulus payments from illegal seizing. Specifically, this advice is for Medicaid recipients in nursing homes, as various reports have stated that some of the facilities have attempted to defraud their residents of these payments.
The Current Problem
Stimulus payments from the federal government aim to be relief payments for individuals going through difficult times. Some of those payments have, however, been reported by certain nursing homes as reimbursements for care services provided through Medicaid. Such practices are illegal because stimulus money is treated as the recipient’s own property and is not counted as income when determining Medicaid eligibility.
Attorney General Rosenblum has stated unequivocally that these funds belong to the individual; any attempt to seize them would be illegal and immoral. Such facilities should return the checks immediately, and residents and families should report any examples of appropriation.
What Actions Should You Take?
Suppose you or your loved one is Medicaid eligible and you suspect that the facility has already started or imminently plans to start withholding the stimulus check. What should you do?
- Verify:
Find out if the facility is gathering or has gathered the stimulus payment. Speak to the head office or accounting department if needed. - Know Your Rights:
Stimulus payments are personal property; they cannot be taken by nursing homes. - Report:
If the payment was collected from the payee, you should report the theft to the Oregon Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit via email at Medicaid.Fraud.Referral@doj.oregon.gov. - Take Action:
Write for a written explanation of the procedure from the facility and seek other assistance from local legal aid or advocacy groups.
Importance of this
Stimulus payments are intended to directly provide financial relief to individuals. For many residents of nursing homes, particularly Medicaid recipients, those funds may be significant for personal use, medications, or other basic needs. Withholding such funds does not only deny people their rightful support, but it undermines the trust placed in care facilities.
The Attorney General’s Office indicates that protective legislation for vulnerable groups is a priority. Ensure reporting and proper vigilance of any improper confiscation to make sure there will be justice and accountability for absolute fairness.
Common questions asked bulk refers to the services.
- May a nursing home legally take stimulus checks if one is on Medicaid?
No, the nursing homes are not permitted to take the stimulus payment because the funds are personal property and not income-eligible for the purposes of Medicaid. - Where do I find out if my check was wrongfully taken?
Check around your bank account for deposit activity or contact the IRS confirming your payment. Ask for an official letter if the nursing home says it has the check. - What do I do if my stimulus check got confiscated?
Report it to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Oregon Attorney General at Medicaid.Fraud.Referral@doj.oregon.gov. You can ask for advice from legal aid or advocacy groups. - Why do some nursing homes confiscate stimulus checks?
Some institutions may believe mistakenly that the facility may charge the patient for services covered by Medicaid, but this is illegal. - Can I get back my seized stimulus check?
With legal assistance and reporting of the incident, indeed, the nursing home will be made to return the funds taken from you.