When Jerry’s* mother passed away in April 2025, he and his brother were grieving her loss while also trying to manage the many responsibilities that come with the passing of a loved one. A few months later, Jerry received a letter that left him stunned. NC Medicaid informed him that because his mother had received Medicaid before her death, her home was subject to estate recovery—and the state was seeking more than $1,000,000 to cover the cost of her residential care.
Jerry was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. Medicaid had attempted to take the home when his grandmother passed away, also to pay for her care under North Carolina’s Medicaid program, but the home was exempt at that time due to Jerry’s mother being disabled. He was distressed that Medicaid, once again, was attempting to take the home he had always lived in to repay the cost of his mother’s care. Knowing they had been successful with an exemption in the past, Jerry applied for an undue hardship waiver to stop the recovery, but his request was denied.
Jerry and his brother first consulted with a private attorney to assist with their case, but they couldn’t afford the quoted cost of representation. That’s when Jerry reached out to the Advocacy Center for help. Our legal team immediately stepped in and filed an appeal on Jerry’s behalf, arguing that the claim was inequitable and violated both state and federal law. During negotiations, after review of the case, the state agreed to fully waive the $1,000,000 Medicaid claim in exchange for dismissing the case—an outcome Jerry gladly accepted.
“From the first call with the Advocacy Center, it was immediate relief. I felt valued and noticed and relieved. They helped me navigate a situation that was out of my depth with extreme politeness and professionalism.”
Because of this successful resolution, Jerry is now able to remain in his mother’s home without the fear of losing it. He and his brother no longer face financial stress tied to their mother’s care, and Jerry expressed deep gratitude and relief for the legal expertise and support that helped secure this life‑changing result.
“You saved me, my knight in shining armor. When they told me we won the appeal, and about the favorable results for me and my family, that we could save our family home, I couldn’t believe the result, that the ordeal was over.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
