My parents social security and disability benefits are $75 too much for them to qualify for Medicaid. The expense of Medicare is causing extreme financial burden due to multiple health problems. Is there a way to reduce their benefits?

Hi,

I don't know of any way that your parents could voluntarily reduce the gross amount of their Social Security benefits. They could potentially reduce the net amount of their payments by having federal income taxes withheld (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/taxwithold.html), but my guess is that their gross benefit amount would still be used for determining Medicaid eligibility. I don't know that for sure, though, because I have no expertise with regard to the Medicaid program.

Best, Jerry