Does New York Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, for the care part. In New York, Assisted Living Program (ALP) can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident. There can be a waitlist.
New York · checked September 2026
Senior care help in New York
How New York 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
Is there public help paying for assisted living in New York?
Yes, for the care. Assisted Living Program (ALP) helps 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.
Paying for senior care in New York
New York's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Monthly income limit
$1,836
2026
2026 limit for people 65+, blind or disabled is $22,025 per year for one person (138% of the federal poverty level), about $1,836 a month. New York does not require a Miller trust. People with income over the limit may still qualify by 'spending down' excess income; confirm this with the state Medicaid office. In a nursing home, nearly all income goes toward the cost of care.
Asset limit (single person)
$33,038
2026
2026 resource limit for one person age 65+, blind or disabled. A spouse at home can keep between $74,820 and $162,660 in assets and at least $4,066.50 a month in income (2026). Home equity limit for nursing home and community long-term care Medicaid is $1,130,000 (2026).
If income is over the limit
We couldn't confirm whether this state uses a Miller trust or a spend-down. Ask the Medicaid office or an elder law attorney.
Look-back on gifts and transfers: 60 months.
Apply for New York Medicaid
New York State Department of Health (Medicaid is applied for through your county Department of Social Services, or HRA in New York City)
Assisted Living Program (ALP)
Can pay in assisted livingThis is New York's main way for Medicaid to pay for care in an assisted living setting. It is for people who medically qualify for a nursing home but can be safely cared for in an adult home or enriched housing residence that runs an ALP. You can contact an ALP directly, but Medicaid must approve the ALP stay in advance through your county Department of Social Services.
Waitlist: Sometimes. ALP is not a waiver with a statewide waitlist, but it is only offered in certain licensed adult homes and enriched housing residences with a limited number of ALP beds, so availability depends on the area.
Managed Long Term Care (MLTC)
A managed long term care plan arranges home care, adult day care and similar help for adults on Medicaid who need long-term services. Ask the Medicaid office who must join a plan, which plan types are available and how the assessment works.
Waitlist: Enrollment is an entitlement for eligible Medicaid members; it is not capped by slots.
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)
Not for assisted livingLets a Medicaid member at home hire, train and direct their own aide, including an adult child or other relative (but not a spouse or the person acting as their designated representative). Since 2025 all CDPAP aides in New York are paid through one statewide fiscal intermediary, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL).
Personal Care Services Program (PCS)
Not for assisted livingMedicaid home care aides who help with bathing, dressing, eating and similar tasks at home. Need is decided by an independent assessment. Ask the Medicaid office whether your parent will get services through an MLTC plan.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver
A Medicaid waiver for people with a traumatic brain injury who would otherwise need nursing home care. Only relevant if the brain injury is the main reason care is needed.
State supplement to SSI
New York pays a State Supplement Program (SSP) payment on top of SSI, including a 'congregate care' rate for SSI recipients living in licensed adult homes and enriched housing. Adult homes and enriched housing are paid for through SSI or private payment. Ask the adult home or local social services office for the current amount.
Who to call in New York
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA)
Start hereThe state's aging office and its local agencies explain your options, screen for programs and help with applications.
New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
A free, independent advocate for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Call about any problem with care, rights, billing or a discharge.
Report abuse, neglect or exploitation
Adult protective servicesYou don't need proof to report. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Business hours through each county Department of Social Services APS unit, including in New York City; ask the local unit for its hours. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP)
Unbiased Medicare help from counselors who don't sell anything: plans, bills, appeals, and programs that lower costs.
Senior Medicare Patrol
Help spotting and reporting Medicare fraud, billing errors and scams.
How to check a New York assisted living or nursing home
In New York, assisted living is licensed as: Adult Care Facility (Adult Home, Enriched Housing Program), Assisted Living Residence (ALR), Enhanced ALR, Special Needs ALR (dementia), and Assisted Living Program (ALP, the Medicaid-funded option). Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
New York State Department of Health (Division of Adult Care Facilities and Assisted Living)
Confirm a community's license here, and ask the agency how to see its inspection reports.
File a complaint
Nursing homes
Medicare rates every nursing home on staffing, inspections and quality, with full inspection reports.
New York veterans homes and benefits
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
New York State Department of Veterans' Services
New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans
Jamaica (Queens)
skilled nursing, memory care
Free legal help and paperwork in New York
Documents and forms
New York help for caregivers and people with dementia
Can a family member be paid to provide care? Yes, in some programs.
Yes. Through Medicaid's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a person on Medicaid who needs home care can hire an adult child, other relative or friend as their paid aide. A spouse, and the person's designated representative, cannot be the paid aide. Aides are paid through PPL, the statewide fiscal intermediary (833-247-5346).
Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP)
State-funded help at home for people 60+ who are not on Medicaid: housekeeping, personal care, respite for family caregivers, case management and emergency response devices. Cost is on a sliding scale by income. Apply through your county Office for the Aging.
NY Connects
Free, unbiased help finding and applying for long-term care, caregiver support, respite and other services, run locally in every county.
Special Needs Assisted Living Residences (SNALR)
The only type of New York assisted living certified to care specifically for people with Alzheimer's or other dementia, with extra staffing and safety features. Ask any 'memory care' residence whether it holds SNALR certification.
More help in New York
EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage)
State program that helps New Yorkers 65+ pay for prescriptions, working alongside Medicare Part D.
New York Independent Assessor (NYIA)
Before Medicaid home care, CDPAP or an MLTC plan can start, the state's independent assessor does a nurse assessment and a clinical exam to decide the need for care.
Home Health Care Hotline
State Health Department line for information about and complaints against home health agencies and hospice.
New York senior care questions
What is the Medicaid asset limit in New York?
$33,038 for a single person (2026). 2026 resource limit for one person age 65+, blind or disabled. A spouse at home can keep between $74,820 and $162,660 in assets and at least $4,066.50 a month in income (2026). Home equity limit for nursing home and community long-term care Medicaid is $1,130,000 (2026).
Who do I call with a complaint about an assisted living or nursing home in New York?
The New York State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: 1-855-582-6769. It's free and independent.
National help that works in New York too
Senior living in New York cities
Senior care guides for other states
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Researched from 39 sources, official pages first. Last checked .