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Who Qualifies for Assisted Living Financial Assistance in Virginia?
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
Virginia residents may qualify for assisted living financial assistance via the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid waiver. Individuals must meet specific financial and general criteria to be eligible for Medicaid assistance for assisted living in Virginia.
The CCC Plus Medicaid waiver in Virginia assists eligible elderly and disabled individuals with long-term care services such as assisted living and nursing home care, thus reducing the financial burden on the individual and their family members and allowing them to access the care they need. However, eligibility requirements, services covered, and benefit amounts may vary based on individual circumstances.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Medicaid waiver in Virginia?
To be eligible for the CCC Plus Medicaid Waiver program in Virginia, an individual must be 65 years or older and have a medical need for home care or assisted living. An applicant’s eligibility will be determined using the Uniform Assessment Instrument and is assessed by a screening team composed of a Virginia Department of Health nurse and a representative from the Department of Social Services.
Further, a senior who requires financial assistance for assisted living will be assessed for eligibility based on their income and assets. The monthly income limit is $2,382 for single Virginia residents, which is calculated using 300% of the current Federal Benefit Rate. The asset limit for a single individual is $2,000, excluding home equity up to $603,000, one vehicle, house furniture and other personal belongings.
If your medical bills are higher than your income, you can still be eligible for Medicaid through the Spenddown Program. This means that any income over the set limit is contributed to medical expenses until your income reaches the limit. After that, you will be eligible for Medicaid coverage for assisted living services.
What are other state programs in Virginia for assisted living financial assistance?
The state of Virginia offers two programs to support its elderly residents, that is, the Adult Services (AS) program and the Auxiliary Grant (AG) program.
The Adult Services program helps senior citizens who require support to stay in their homes and avoid moving into a nursing home. This service includes assistance such as housekeeping, adult day care and shopping for essentials.
The Auxiliary Grant program is another great program that aims to reduce the number of nursing home placements and financially aids elderly individuals to pay for assisted living and in-home care. The assistance provided by this program includes house cleaning, personal care and meal services.In addition to these programs, elderly residents may also be eligible for assistance under the Older Americans Act, which offers meal assistance and chore services among other kinds of non-medical support. The type of benefits you receive will vary based on the location and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that services your area.