Short answer: For 2026, the spouse at home keeps the home, one vehicle and a protected share of the couple’s countable resources: one-half of the combined total, but no less than $32,532 and no more than $162,660. The rest above the applicant’s $2,000 limit must be spent down.
Texas calls the protected share the spousal protected resource amount (SPRA); federal law calls it the community spouse resource allowance. For 2026 it is the greater of one-half of the couple’s combined countable resources or $32,532, capped at $162,660.
- Couple with $40,000: spouse at home keeps $32,532 (the floor).
- Couple with $100,000: keeps $50,000 (half).
- Couple with $400,000: keeps $162,660 (the cap).
The total is measured as of the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization, meaning a stay in a facility expected to last at least 30 consecutive days. Either spouse can ask HHSC for this resource assessment at that point, even before applying, which is useful for planning.
All resources of either spouse count, regardless of whose name they are in. A fair hearing or court order can set a higher amount, for example when the spouse at home needs more income-producing assets to reach the monthly maintenance allowance.