The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning that nursing homes in several states are trying to require their Medicaid residents to sign over their stimulus checks. However, according to the CARES Act, these payments are tax credits, and tax credits do not count as “resources” for the purposes of federal benefits programs like Medicaid. Individuals who reside in long term care facilities typically manage their own money or appoint another person to handle their financial affairs. The stimulus funds are to be handled as any other resident benefits. Since stimulus payments do not count as income, they do not affect Medicaid eligibility or qualify as a Medicaid resource. The FTC…