The Senior Assisted Living Subsidy Program helps low- to moderate-income adults age 62 years and older pay for assisted living programs they would otherwise be unable to afford. The subsidy can cover the cost of services provided in assisted living—including meals, personal care, and 24-hour supervision for residents who need help living independently. By an interagency agreement, the homes are monitored and licensed by the
Department of Health.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living is a residential or facility-based program for individuals who have a physical or cognitive impairment and need help with one or more activities of daily living. Assisted Living provides senior adults with housing and supportive services. This housing option enables seniors to remain in a home-like setting in their communities and promotes their independence and dignity.
Facilities may range from a small home with one resident to larger facilities with 100 or more living units. Financial assistance is available on a limited basis through the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy Program or the Medicaid Waiver Home and Community Based Services Program. The Medicaid Program may also pay for a limited number of residents of small assisted living facilities. Your local
Area Agencies on Aging can advise consumers of the eligibility criteria and available funding.
To locate an assisted living program in a specific area of Maryland that participates in the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy, please contact your local Senior Information and Assistance office.
You can find more about assisted living at The Maryland Health Care Commission.
Eligibility Requirements
- Adults age 62 years old or older who are residents in an assisted living facility, or approved for entrance into a facility and have entered into a service agreement with an Area Agency on Aging.
- Adults who are physically or mentally impaired and in need of assistance with the activities of daily living.
- Adults who are financially eligible for a subsidy.
To be financially eligible for a subsidy, an applicant's net monthly income may not be higher than 60 percent of the state median income with assets no greater than $20,064 for singles, or $26,400 for couples. The subsidy may cover the difference between the net monthly income of the resident after a $130/month personal allowance deduction, and the approved monthly assisted living fee. For more detailed information on consumer price index increases, see Memo 23-2 Update.pdf.
