Need Senior Care but Can't Afford It? Find Help.
Medicaid, PACE, Medicare home health and other programs pay for care for millions of older adults with limited money. Find the programs in your state and the providers near you that take them — with the same safety information we show for every facility.
Your options
Medicaid nursing homesMedicaid pays for nursing home care for people with low income and savings who need that level of care. Almost every nursing home accepts Medicaid.
Medicaid help in assisted livingMany states pay for care services in assisted living through a Medicaid program, though often with waiting lists. Rent and meals are usually not covered.
PACEAn all-inclusive Medicare and Medicaid program for people 55+ who need nursing-home-level care but want to live at home. Includes a day center, transportation and medical care. Available in some areas.
Care at homeMedicare pays for short-term home health care (nursing and therapy) when a doctor orders it. Medicaid programs in most states also pay for personal care at home.
Adult day programsDaytime care, meals and activities while family members work. Often paid by Medicaid programs or on a sliding scale. Your Area Agency on Aging can find one near you.
Money to help paySSI, VA Aid & Attendance, Medicare Savings Programs and state programs can add income or cut costs.
Programs by state
| State | Medicaid long-term care program | Pays for assisted living? | PACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver | Yes | No |
| Alabama | Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver | No | Yes |
| Arkansas | ARChoices in Homecare | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) | Yes | No |
| California | Medi-Cal Long-Term Services and Supports (IHSS, MSSP, CBAS, ALW) | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Colorado | Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) | Yes | No |
| District of Columbia | Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) Waiver | Limited | Yes |
| Delaware | Diamond State Health Plan Plus (DSHP-Plus) LTSS | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Georgia | Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP, formerly CCSP) | Limited (waiting list) | No |
| Hawaii | QUEST Integration LTSS | Limited | No |
| Iowa | HCBS Elderly Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Idaho | Aged and Disabled (A&D) Waiver | Yes | No |
| Illinois | HCBS Waiver for Persons who are Elderly (Community Care Program) | Yes | Yes |
| Indiana | Indiana PathWays for Aging (age 60+) | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Kansas | KanCare HCBS Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Kentucky | Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver | No | Yes |
| Louisiana | Community Choices Waiver (CCW) | No | Yes |
| Massachusetts | Frail Elder Waiver (FEW) | Yes | Yes |
| Maryland | Home and Community-Based Options Waiver (Community Options Waiver) | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Maine | MaineCare Section 19 Home and Community Benefits for Elderly and Adults with Disabilities | Yes | No |
| Michigan | MI Choice Waiver Program | Yes | Yes |
| Minnesota | Elderly Waiver (EW) | Yes | No |
| Missouri | Aged and Disabled Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Mississippi | Elderly and Disabled Waiver | Limited (waiting list) | No |
| Montana | Big Sky Waiver (BSW) | Limited (waiting list) | No |
| North Carolina | Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) | Yes | Yes |
| North Dakota | HCBS Medicaid Waiver (Aged and Disabled) | Yes | Yes |
| Nebraska | Aged and Disabled (AD) Medicaid Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| New Hampshire | Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver | Yes | No |
| New Jersey | Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) | Yes | Yes |
| New Mexico | Turquoise Care Community Benefit | Yes | Yes |
| Nevada | HCBS Waiver for the Frail Elderly (FE) | Yes | No |
| New York | Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) | Limited | Yes |
| Ohio | PASSPORT Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Oklahoma | ADvantage Waiver Program | Yes | Yes |
| Oregon | Medicaid Long-Term Care (K Plan / Community First Choice) | Yes | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Community HealthChoices (CHC) | No | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (Global 1115 waiver) | Yes | Yes |
| South Carolina | Community Choices Waiver (Community Long Term Care) | Yes | Yes |
| South Dakota | HOPE Waiver | Yes | No |
| Tennessee | TennCare CHOICES in Long-Term Services and Supports | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Texas | STAR+PLUS (incl. STAR+PLUS HCBS) | Limited (waiting list) | Yes |
| Utah | New Choices Waiver (NCW) | Yes | No |
| Virginia | Cardinal Care / CCC Plus Waiver | No | Yes |
| Vermont | Choices for Care (CFC) | Yes | No |
| Washington | COPES Waiver / Community First Choice | Yes | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Family Care / IRIS | Yes | Yes |
| West Virginia | Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) | Limited (waiting list) | No |
| Wyoming | Community Choices Waiver (CCW) | Yes | No |
Program details are summarized from state Medicaid websites and published guides as of October 2026. Rules change; always confirm with the state.
Free help finding and paying for care
Eldercare Locator ↗ · 1-800-677-1116
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) ↗
2-1-1 ↗ · 2-1-1
Benefits that can help pay
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗
Medicare Savings Programs & Extra Help
Official site ↗
VA Pension with Aid & Attendance
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗ · Official site ↗
Social Security retirement
Plain-English guide on BenefitSearch ↗
See all benefits on BenefitSearch ↗
BenefitSearch.org is a free companion site that explains government benefits and links to official applications.