Does North Carolina Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, for the care part. In North Carolina, Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident.
North Carolina · checked September 2026
Senior care help in North Carolina
How North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Yes, for the care. Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) helps pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are usually still paid by the resident, often from Social Security.
Paying for senior care in North Carolina
North Carolina's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Monthly income limit
Ask the state Medicaid office
2026
North Carolina has no fixed income cap for nursing home Medicaid. A person qualifies if their income is less than the cost of nursing home care at the Medicaid rate; almost all income except a personal needs allowance, Medicare premiums and any spousal allowance then goes toward the nursing home bill each month. Confirm the current amounts with the state Medicaid office.
Asset limit (single person)
$2,000
2026
Confirm this figure with the state Medicaid office before relying on it.
If income is over the limit
North Carolina 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: 60 months.
Apply for NC Medicaid (called 'Medical Assistance' on the application)
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid); applications are handled by your county Department of Social Services
Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS)
Can pay in assisted livingNC Medicaid can pay for hands-on help with daily tasks either at home or in an adult care home (North Carolina's term for assisted living). To qualify, a person generally needs help with 3 of 5 daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting and moving around, or with 2 tasks if one needs a lot of or full help. Medicaid PCS does not pay rent or meals.
Waitlist: PCS is a regular Medicaid benefit, not a capped waiver.
Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA)
Not for assisted livingA Medicaid waiver for adults 18+ who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home. It can cover in-home aides, adult day health, respite for family caregivers, home changes, meals and case management, and has a consumer-directed option where the person hires their own workers. Referrals go to Acentra Health.
Waitlist: County waitlists have existed in the past. Ask whether there's a waitlist when you call.
Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
An all-in-one medical and long-term care program for people 55+ who need nursing-home-level care and can live safely at home with support. North Carolina has 11 PACE organizations in 14 locations; you must live in a service area. Medicaid long-term care financial rules apply for Medicaid payment.
PACE (all-inclusive care for 55+)
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 North Carolina:
- Elderhaus, Wilmington; New Hanover and Brunswick counties 910-767-0932
- Piedmont Health SeniorCare, Burlington and Pittsboro; Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Lee, Orange counties 919-545-7341
- LIFE St. Joseph of the Pines, Fayetteville; Cumberland and parts of Harnett, Robeson, Moore, Hoke 910-429-7242
- PACE of the Triad, Greensboro; Guilford and Rockingham counties 336-550-4040
- PACE @Home, Newton; Catawba, Alexander and parts of Lincoln, Burke, Caldwell 828-468-3980
- Carolina SeniorCare, Lexington and New Bern; Craven, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico and parts of other counties 336-746-3500
- PACE of the Southern Piedmont, Charlotte; Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union and part of Stanly 704-887-3857
- VOANS Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina, Durham; Durham, Wake and part of Granville 919-425-3022
- Senior Total Life Care, Gastonia and Shelby; Gaston, Rutherford and parts of Cleveland, Lincoln 704-874-0600
- Randolph Health StayWell Senior Care, Asheboro; Montgomery, Moore, Randolph counties 336-628-4200
- CarePartners PACE, Asheville; Buncombe, Henderson and parts of McDowell, Transylvania 828-213-8442
Who to call in North Carolina
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), NC Department of Insurance
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 North Carolina assisted living or nursing home
Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
State licensing agency
Confirm a community's license here, and ask the agency how to see its inspection reports.
Nursing homes
Medicare rates every nursing home on staffing, inspections and quality, with full inspection reports.
North Carolina veterans homes and benefits
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
Free legal help and paperwork in North Carolina
Documents and forms
North Carolina help for caregivers and people with dementia
Can a family member be paid to provide care?
CAP/DA includes consumer-directed services where the participant hires their own workers. Ask the CAP/DA program which relatives can be paid.
North Carolina senior care questions
What is the Medicaid asset limit in North Carolina?
$2,000 for a single person (2026). Confirm this figure with the state Medicaid office before relying on it.
National help that works in North Carolina too
Senior living in North Carolina cities
Senior care guides for other states
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Researched from 20 sources, official pages first. Last checked .