AboutKyla Kelim Expertise I can answer questions regarding nursing home Medicaid eligibility questions, senior benefits including Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug coverage, Veteran's benefits including Aid and Attendance, durable powers of attorney, advanced health care directives and living wills, wills, trusts and estates, guardianship and conservatorship and other areas of elder law including financial questions regarding collection, gifting, etc. All answers will refer questioners to a licensed attorney in their specific state, unless the question involves an issue of Alabama or Florida law, or Federal law as many of these issues will.
Experience
Experience in the area I have practiced law in Florida and Alabama for 15 years. My firm has over 60 years collective experience in elder law issues, including Medicare, Medicare D, Medi-gap and related health insurance issues as well as nursing home Medicaid eligibility.
Organizations Alabama State Bar
Florida State Bar
Organizations Alabama State Bar Association, Florida State Bar Association, Elder law section of Alabama and Florida Bar Associations, admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama, all state courts in Florida and the Northern District of Florida, admitted to practice before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal
Education/Credentials
Education/Credentials Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, J.D. 1993
University of New Orleans, B.S. Business Administration 1990
Question My dad died last year (2008), I have taken care of my Mom since before then, taking care of them. My question is, My mom is on limited income, she draw Social Security, and SSI, and a small alotted monthly welfare check for food. If, and could I claim her as a dependent on my taxes, would it interrupt her earnings? She draws very little in social security and SSI?
Answer Well the first part is, your mom should have her Social Security recalculated since her husband passed away, and her income pay be higher. If you claim her as a dependent, in my opinion, then she may lose her SSI and food income as by claiming her you are stating that you are providing more than 1/2 of her expenses. I would explore raising her income, if possible.
