Potential SSDI benefits and protecting assets

This is quite the complex story but would appreciate any advice and direction on the short version of it. My mother, 59, was joint owner of a house with her deceased husband. Unfortunately their will has not been found and the estate is getting split between her and his siblings - we expect the estate to finally be settled sometime next year. My mother also retired from her job last year, lost her insurance and went on Masshealth for a hospital stay late in the year and has been on it since. She has had some underlying medical issues and am convinced that she will be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shortly. Of course she would like to apply for SSDI benefits but is concerned with what will happen to her assets. Of course she would like her home and any money she acquires through the estate settlement to be protected so that her children receive her assets once she passes away. She is afraid that the state will lay claim to her assets due to the expenses that have incurred while on masshealth and any that may occur in the future. I have done a little research on time periods/penalties in which someone can tranfers/sell assets and the outlook does not look very good (something like a 5 year look back?). What are her options?