Optional State Supplement Program
The Optional State Supplement Program is available to seniors who meet the eligibility guidelines for Supplemental Security Income and reside in a nursing home or residential care facility. This program pays the facility directly to help supplement resident income, making it more affordable for seniors to continue living in an assisted living facility. This program doesn’t offer direct services to seniors. Instead, it offers a financial subsidy that can be applied to room and board or other assistive services.
To qualify for this program, applicants must be at least 65 years old or disabled and meet both medical and financial eligibility requirements.
Before enrolling in the OSS program, applicants should apply for SSI with the Social Security Administration and complete an application for nursing home, residential or in-home care through Healthy Connections. These applications should be submitted to the local SCDHHS office. If approved, seniors can designate the facility which will receive funds if they are already a resident or work with SCDHHS to locate a facility with openings.
Healthy Connections – HCBS Waivers
Healthy Connections manages all long-term care Medicaid Waivers in South Carolina. Some HCBS waivers may pay for assistive care in an assisted living community, but these waivers typically exclude room and board fees. Some examples of the type of care covered by this waiver include:
- Personal care (help with bathing, dressing, mobility, housekeeping, etc.)
- Attendant care
- Companion care
- Limited skilled nursing
- Personal emergency response system monitoring
- Limited incontinence supplies
To qualify for this program, seniors must meet both financial and medical eligibility requirements and often must be otherwise qualified for a level of care offered in nursing homes.
To apply, visit a local SCDHHS office, fill out an application online or by mail.