Has anyone been successful in obtaining Section 8 to pay for the rent portion of assisted living and the Assisted Living Waiver (in California) paying for the remaining expenses?
I think the problem is you take one or the other because you cannot have two government programs paying for the same thing. Like with Aid and Attendance thru the VA, that can't be used for a care facility and have Medicaid too. They are both government programs. Medicaid usually pays more. HUD is going to pay very little towards an AL. Most of the cost is in meals and care.
While trying to switch from a combined Section 8 with VA A&A to 24/7 aide coverage, we have hunted and hunted for an ALF that has or will take Section 8 as payment and have never found one. Even ones that take Medicaid have said they won't consider contracting with Section 8. So while Section 8 may be willing to pay for the housing portion, some place needs to be willing to be paid and we've never found such an ALF.
Another one of those gaps in elder care in the U.S..
And though Section 8 is a federal program, we found to switch from one state to another requires both states to agree to the switch. Even if one can find an ALF that takes Section 8, that doesn't guarantee they will take that individual's state residency Section 8 if it has not already had a transfer approval.
Since Section 8 is strictly housing ONLY, they won't and don't deal with businesses that provide anything "more".
To put it more direct, even if one has one, the other or both, ALFs don't accept those clients.
It makes sense that Hud will not pay for an AL. LikevI said, they would only cover room rent. If someone needs Hud help, they are probably not able to pay the balance HUD does not pay and board and care.
Any money not paid by section 8 would need to be paid by the resident. Assisted livings are private pay. Its like having an apt but with some perks. My nephew receives help from the State but it goes by Hud rules. His rent is 940 a month, he pays 1/3 of that and the State pays the rest.
AL, on average, costs about 5k a month. I would say that HUD will only pay for the cost of the room. Food and care would need to be paid by the resident and the 1/3 not pd by HUD would be paid by the resident. For my Mom she paid 4k a month. 2k went to her room and board and 2k to her care. Lets say Moms room was 1k. HUD would pay about $650 if that and Mom would be responsible for $350. Out of 4k my Mom would be responsible for $3350. She only had $1700 in SS and pension. That leaves $1650 unpaid.
These are just my calculations from what I have experienced. I think you may be better trying to see if u can get a Medicaid waiver. Talk to a Medicaid caseworker. If your LO can't afford an AL, then may need to go into LTC with Medicaid paying.
Was LO in the Military during wartime? Or a spouse? There is Aid and Attendance that will help but will not cover the whole amount.
I have never heard of this. Interesting though. I do know that section 8 is very hard to get. In my State u apply once a year and only so many people can get it.
Here's a link that provides general information. But I am having trouble finding out how to pay for the remaining expenses that Section 8 does not pay. I contacted an agency that processes Assisted Living Waivers in California but have not received an answer. If this were possible, it would be a life-saver for many people. https://www.helpadvisor.com/housing/hud-assisted-living-financing
"The Section 8 program provides rental assistance only. Although Section 8 vouchers apply for payment to assisted living facilities, they cannot pay for meals or services."
If there haven't been changes it is looking like, in California, the amount section 8 will pay CAN BE put toward a ALF. When you enter AL however, it includes Levels of Care payments and meals. That part isn't covered by section 8. Looks complicated, but worth exploration.
Ok there was a woman on Facebook Lily Silver That Knew everything about section 8 and I would go to her Page and read her format Letters - she was a whiz at getting People to be able to be a Live in caregiver - sadly she Passed . I do Know you can get a section 8 for a elderly person Living in a 65 and Older apartments - I was able to get My Mother One and it was basically Older people with Help coming in on Cape Cod . Mass health use to help pay for Nursing Homes but supposedly they quit that .
"The Section 8 program provides rental assistance only. Although Section 8 vouchers apply for payment to assisted living facilities, they cannot pay for meals or services."
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Another one of those gaps in elder care in the U.S..
And though Section 8 is a federal program, we found to switch from one state to another requires both states to agree to the switch. Even if one can find an ALF that takes Section 8, that doesn't guarantee they will take that individual's state residency Section 8 if it has not already had a transfer approval.
Since Section 8 is strictly housing ONLY, they won't and don't deal with businesses that provide anything "more".
To put it more direct, even if one has one, the other or both, ALFs don't accept those clients.
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AL, on average, costs about 5k a month. I would say that HUD will only pay for the cost of the room. Food and care would need to be paid by the resident and the 1/3 not pd by HUD would be paid by the resident. For my Mom she paid 4k a month. 2k went to her room and board and 2k to her care. Lets say Moms room was 1k. HUD would pay about $650 if that and Mom would be responsible for $350. Out of 4k my Mom would be responsible for $3350. She only had $1700 in SS and pension. That leaves $1650 unpaid.
These are just my calculations from what I have experienced. I think you may be better trying to see if u can get a Medicaid waiver. Talk to a Medicaid caseworker. If your LO can't afford an AL, then may need to go into LTC with Medicaid paying.
Was LO in the Military during wartime? Or a spouse? There is Aid and Attendance that will help but will not cover the whole amount.
https://www.helpadvisor.com/housing/hud-assisted-living-financing
"The Section 8 program provides rental assistance only. Although Section 8 vouchers apply for payment to assisted living facilities, they cannot pay for meals or services."
If there haven't been changes it is looking like, in California, the amount section 8 will pay CAN BE put toward a ALF. When you enter AL however, it includes Levels of Care payments and meals. That part isn't covered by section 8. Looks complicated, but worth exploration.
Source: https://www.seniorcare.com/assisted-living/resources/ways-to-pay-for-assisted-living/section-8-housing/#:~:text=The%20Section%208%20program%20provides,pay%20for%20meals%20or%20services.