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Preparing For Title 19

Preparing Title 19

Today many people, young and old, come to the Miller-Josey Mortuary to pre plan their funeral and final disposition. The knowledgeable staff is ready to help you explore your options and provide price quotes so you can make informed decisions.

Having your instructions recorded will give your survivors the peace of mind of knowing that they are following your wishes.

You can take advantage of our website to explore funeral options on your own. Contact us directly for any questions, or to make an appointment.

One item of note is the fact that you do not have to pre pay for a funeral to make pre arrangements.

Advance planning...arranging your affairs before you need Medicaid or Title 19 assistance is of utmost importance. You can not set aside a significant amount of money for a funeral after you are receiving aid.

 

Assets You May Own When On Title 19:

  • up to $1600 in liquid assets: cash, bank, account, stocks, etc.,
  • up to $1500 face value of life insurance
  • up to $5400 in an Irrevocable Funeral Trust (with a funeral home). Interest earned on a Funeral Trust may accumulate in your account.
  • up to $61 a month allowance from your retirement income or Social Security may be kept for personal needs when confined to a rest home.
  • no limitof additional funds in a Revocable Burial Space Contract (with a funeral home)

 

The State of Texas has, through Public Acts 97-2 and 04-233, created specific opportunities for individuals to establish funds for their funeral and/or final disposition. Money may be safely protected in either an Irrevocable Funeral Trust Account or in a Revocable Burial Plot Contract; or in a combination of both.

Both vehicles provide protection for your money. Neither may be considered an asset that can affect a person's eligibility for financial assistance from the State of Texas, Medicaid and/or Title 19 programs.

Miller-Josey Mortuary, through an agreement with Texas Service Life and Landmark Life Insurance, is able to offer these funeral trust accounts. Your money is retained here safely. Interest earned on your account is permitted to accumulate safely and add to the value of your funeral trust without affecting any of your benefits from Title 19.

Using a combination of these two financial vehicles you can prepay the entire amount of a funeral service that reflects your personal choice and traditions. The experienced staff of Miller-Josey Mortuary can help you establish a funeral trust account that protects your money and will meet your future needs while complying with all the regulations for receiving aid from the State of Texas.

While you still have some money left you should also decide which cemetery you want to be buried in. You should go there, select your plot, and pay for it. Some cemeteries will also permit you to prepay the cost of opening and closing the grave. This is an additional expense ranging from $900.00 to $2,400.00, depending on the cemetery of choice.

A receipt for such payment should be given to Miller-Josey Mortuary so a copy is retained with all of your other records and instructions for final disposition. Next, it would be wise to purchase your monument or grave marker; and, have the stone lettered with your family's surname.

A person who dies with no assets at all is entitled to only $1800 from the State of Texas for his/her final disposition. A person is not entitled to this money if they have any other means to pay for a funeral, such as a funeral trust. Moreover, the decedent's family may contribute an additional $2,800 towards the funeral without the funeral's total exceeding $4,600.

Also, any money left in your personal accounts (limit $1,600) will revert to the State of Texas at the time of death.

You should initiate these actions as soon as it becomes apparent that due to expensive medical treatments, extended hospital stays or confinement to a convalescent home, you will deplete your financial resources.

Please contact Miller-Josey Mortuary for additional information.

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