The California Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. It pays for a myriad of services for low-income residents of California, including physical and mental health care, prescription assistance, maternal care and nursing home care. Medi-Cal is a large program with multiple smaller programs, which have divisions that include care for children, families, the disabled and the elderly.
To be eligible, individuals who are blind, disabled or over 65 years old must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or legal alien
- Reside in the state of California
- Have a yearly income under $16,395 (individual) or $22,108 (couple)
- Have countable assets that don’t exceed $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple). Personal items, a primary home and a vehicle are exempt from this requirement.
Medi-Cal has several HCBS waiver programs that provide nursing home care in facilities and private homes. The
Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) Program provides nursing home level care in assisted living facilities for eligible seniors. It only covers the cost of care; participants must pay for room-and-board expenses.
To be eligible for ALW, applicants must:
- Be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal with zero share of cost
- Be at least 21 years old
- Need a nursing facility level of care but have the mobility to function and reside safely in an assisted living residence
- Have a monthly income of no more than $1,242 (individual) or $1,682 (couple)
- Have countable assets that do not exceed $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple) — Personal items, a primary home and a vehicle are exempt from this requirement
The ALW is only available in assisted living facilities that participate in the program, and there may be a waiting list at individual locations. Contact the
Riverside County Office on Aging at (800) 510-2020 or visit the
California Department of Health Care Services website for more information, to apply or for a list of participating facilities.
For more information about Medi-Cal, visit the
Apply for Medi-Cal page or call the
Riverside County Department of Public Social Services at (877) 410-8827.