The assisted living waiver program is designed to help individuals who qualify for nursing home care to live in an assisted living facility as an alternative. This allows individuals to move into an assisted living community and receive the same level and quality of care at a much lower cost. This is a great relief to those who prefer assisted living environments over nursing home establishments but cannot afford the higher cost.
The assisted living waiver program is offered only in certain states in the US. California is one of the states that offer this option. The services and eligibility requirements may differ from one state to another.
What Services Does It Cover
The Assisted Living Waiver Program covers all of these services:
- Help with everyday activities and chores including eating, grooming, bathing, and toileting
- Help with mobility-related activities
- Administering prescribed medication, providing transportation for medical checkups or other purposes and following up with doctor’s recommendations
- Providing a wide range of health-related services including nursing at the required level
- Organizing various age-appropriate social and recreational activities
- Help with housekeeping, laundry, and meals
- Nursing home transition care
The most important thing to know is that the cost of room and board is not included in the Assisted Living Waiver. Low-income Long Beach residents may be able to get additional funds towards room and board through state Supplemental Security Income.
Who Is Eligible
There are multiple requirements that you need to meet in order to be eligible for the Assisted Living Waiver Program.
You may qualify for assisted living waiver if you are 21 years or older and are eligible for nursing facility care. There are a couple of restrictions however. The first restriction is that the level of care required should not be so high that it becomes exceedingly expensive to provide that care in an assisted living environment.
The second restriction is related to your financial situation. To be eligible for assisted living waiver as an individual, your total resources should not be over $2,000 for an individual. To be eligible as a couple, you and your spouse’s total resources should not exceed $3,000. This does not take into account your home or vehicle.
How To Apply
The first step towards applying for assisted living waiver in Long Beach is to submit a Medi-Cal application to your county Department of Human Services. If this application is successful, you can then contact one of the listed care coordinating agencies and request an assisted living waiver. The entire process, from the time you submit your application to the time your receive confirmation can take anywhere from three to six months.
In California, the Assisted Living Waiver Program is available in 15 California counties including Long Beach. The good news is you don’t necessarily have to live in any of these counties to qualify for the waiver. You can still avail of the waiver benefits by moving into an assisted living facility located in any of the counties that offer assisted living waiver.
Disclaimer: Please note we are not experts in this area. The article has been put together using the information we have garnered from reliable sources. You must consult with financial experts for more information and professional advice.
