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California · checked September 2026
How California helps pay for long-term care, who to call when you need help or something's wrong, and how to check a facility before you sign.
The first question
Yes, for the care. Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) and CalAIM Community Supports: Nursing Facility Transition/Diversion to Assisted Living Facilities help pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are usually still paid by the resident, often from Social Security. There can be a waitlist, so ask to be screened early, before savings run out.
California's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Ask the state Medicaid office
2026
California has no income cap for nursing home Medi-Cal and no Miller trust. Instead the resident pays a monthly 'share of cost' (most of their income) to the nursing home and Medi-Cal pays the rest. The resident keeps a $35 per month personal needs allowance in 2026. An at-home spouse can keep up to $4,067 per month (2026 MMMNA). Income rules were not changed by the 2026 asset limit reinstatement.
$130,000
2026
Medi-Cal eliminated its asset test in 2024 and reinstated it on January 1, 2026. The limit is $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member ($195,000 for a couple). The home is exempt. When one spouse needs a nursing home, the at-home spouse can keep $162,660 (2026 CSRA). The limit applies to non-MAGI programs including long-term care, share of cost Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs. The transfer look-back for nursing home care is 30 months. Ask the Medi-Cal office how gifts made before 2026 are treated, which limit applies to people on SSI, and when current members are checked. This limit applies through June 30, 2027. Starting July 1, 2027 it drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two, plus $1,550 for each additional person.
California doesn't use a hard cap. People over the limit can qualify by paying most of their income toward their care (a spend-down).
Look-back on gifts and transfers: 30 months.
Apply for Medi-Cal
California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)
This is the main way Medi-Cal helps pay for care in assisted living (called RCFEs in California). It pays for personal care and help with daily tasks, but your parent must still pay rent and meals, usually from Social Security. They must need nursing home level care, have full-scope Medi-Cal with no share of cost, and live in one of 15 counties. To apply, call a Care Coordination Agency in your county; expect a long wait.
Waitlist: Yes. DHCS reported 14,847 people enrolled and 18,365 people on the waitlist as of December 2025. Only offered in 15 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma.
Some Medi-Cal health plans pay for services that help a member move into, or stay in, assisted living instead of a nursing home. Ask your parent's Medi-Cal plan whether it offers this, or check DHCS's search tool by county.
Waitlist: Sometimes. Offered through Medi-Cal managed care plans. Plans are encouraged but not required to offer it, so availability depends on the county and the plan.
For people on Medi-Cal who would otherwise need a nursing home but want to live at home or with family. A nurse and social worker team coordinates care. Apply through the waiver agency for your county.
Waitlist: Yes. At capacity with a waiting list since July 12, 2023. Priority goes to certain groups, including people who have been in a health facility 60 days or more.
Medi-Cal pays for a caregiver to help your parent at home with things like bathing, dressing, cooking and cleaning. It is not available in assisted living or other licensed facilities. Your parent chooses the caregiver, and that can be a family member. Apply at your county IHSS office.
Waitlist: No waitlist is described; hours are set by a county social worker after a home visit.
Care management for older adults on Medi-Cal who qualify for nursing home care but want to stay at home. It can pay for things like adult day care, home repairs, extra in-home help, respite, meals and transportation. Find your local MSSP site through the California Department of Aging county page.
A Medi-Cal adult day health program. Your parent spends the day at a center with nursing, therapy, meals, activities and transportation, then goes home. It can help a family keep a parent at home longer.
California adds a state payment (SSP) to SSI for people living in a licensed board and care or assisted living home (called Non-Medical Out-of-Home Care). In 2026 an older adult in this setting gets up to $1,626.07 a month total ($994.00 federal SSI plus $632.07 state SSP), compared with $1,233.94 for someone living on their own.
PACE provides all medical and long-term care for people 55+ who need nursing-home-level care but can live in the community. Programs in California:
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
The state's aging office and its local agencies explain your options, screen for programs and help with applications.
A free, independent advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Call about any problem with care, rights, billing or a discharge.
You don't need proof to report. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
24/7
Unbiased Medicare help from counselors who don't sell anything: plans, bills, appeals, and programs that lower costs.
In California, assisted living is licensed as: Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE). Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
Look up any licensed community and read its inspection reports online.
File a complaint
Medicare rates every nursing home on staffing, inspections and quality, with full inspection reports.
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet)
Barstow
Chula Vista
Fresno
Lancaster
Redding
Ventura
Los Angeles
Yountville
Free legal help for older adults on issues like benefits, housing, powers of attorney and elder abuse.
Can a family member be paid to provide care? Yes, in some programs.
Yes. Through IHSS, a Medi-Cal member living at home chooses and hires their own caregiver, and the state says providers can be family members, friends or neighbors. The family member enrolls as an IHSS provider and is paid for the hours the county approves.
Free respite (short breaks from caregiving, at home or elsewhere) and caregiver training for adults caring for someone 60 or older, or anyone with Alzheimer's or a related condition. Arranged through your local Area Agency on Aging.
Eleven nonprofit centers across the state that support family caregivers of adults with chronic and disabling conditions, including dementia, with counseling, classes and help planning care.
A free six-month program for a person with dementia and their caregiver. A community health worker, backed by a nurse, social worker and pharmacist, checks in by phone or video once or twice a month. Only offered in Marin and Los Angeles counties.
Regional nonprofit centers that help families caring for an adult with dementia or another serious condition, with counseling, education and care planning.
Yes, for the care part. In California, Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) and CalAIM Community Supports: Nursing Facility Transition/Diversion to Assisted Living Facilities can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident. There can be a waitlist.
$130,000 for a single person (2026). Medi-Cal eliminated its asset test in 2024 and reinstated it on January 1, 2026. The limit is $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member ($195,000 for a couple). The home is exempt. When one spouse needs a nursing home, the at-home spouse can keep $162,660 (2026 CSRA). The limit applies to non-MAGI programs including long-term care, share of cost Medi-Cal and Medicare Savings Programs. The transfer look-back for nursing home care is 30 months. Ask the Medi-Cal office how gifts made before 2026 are treated, which limit applies to people on SSI, and when current members are checked. This limit applies through June 30, 2027. Starting July 1, 2027 it drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two, plus $1,550 for each additional person.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (CRISISline): 1-800-231-4024. It's free and independent.
Researched from 43 sources, official pages first. Last checked .