Merlini ex rel. Merlini v. Department of Public Welfare

OPINION BY

Judge PELLEGRINI.

Mary Rose Merlini (Merlini) appeals from a final order of the Department of Public Welfare (Department) upholding the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals’ (Bureau) decision denying an appeal from the determination of its Blair County Assistance Office’s (Assistance Office) determination that she was ineligible for medical assistance for nursing home care because her available financial resources exceeded the program’s limits.

On April 20, 2006, Merlini, an 87-year-old woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, was admitted to Valley View Nursing Home in Blair County,…