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Who Qualifies for Assisted Living Financial Assistance in Alabama?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Only seniors who meet strict eligibility criteria qualify for assisted living financial assistance in Alabama. Although Alabama’s regular state Medicaid program doesn’t cover care in an assisted living community, seniors may be able to get financial assistance via the Elderly & Disabled Waiver program.
Criteria for the Elderly & Disabled Waiver
To qualify for the Elderly & Disabled Waiver program and receive financial assistance toward assisted living in Alabama, seniors must be aged at least 65 or disabled or legally blind, satisfy maximum income and asset limits, as well as meet functional care needs.
To qualify, seniors must earn no more than $2,523 per month, and their countable assets mustn’t exceed $2,000. They must have nursing home level of care needs. The Elderly & Disabled Waiver allows seniors who would otherwise need nursing home care to receive the necessary health and support services in a home or community setting. In limited situations, seniors may fulfill these criteria and be able to safely receive care in an assisted living community. Unlike Medicaid for nursing homes, waiver eligibility isn’t automatic. Applicants may also be wait-listed for services.
Alternative Sources of Funding for Assisted Living in Alabama
Per Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey 2021, assisted living in Alabama costs an average of $3,503 per month. Seniors who aren’t eligible for financial support via a Medicaid waiver program will need to find alternative ways to pay for their care. Sometimes, this means that seniors must fully fund their care themselves. Options may include selling a residential property, obtaining a reverse mortgage, getting financial assistance from family members, using savings and pension income, and claiming on existing long-term care insurance policies.