Does Ohio Medicaid pay for assisted living?
Yes, for the care part. In Ohio, Assisted Living Waiver can pay for care in assisted living. Rent and meals are generally paid by the resident.
Ohio · checked September 2026
Senior care help in Ohio
How Ohio 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 Ohio?
Yes, for the care. Assisted Living Waiver 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 Ohio
Ohio's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
Monthly income limit
$2,982
2026
Ohio's Special Income Level is 300% of the SSI individual rate (Ohio Admin. Code 5160:1-6-03.1). SSA lists the 2026 SSI rate as $994, so 3 x $994 = $2,982. People with income above this must set up a Qualified Income Trust (Miller trust) to qualify for long-term care Medicaid.
Asset limit (single person)
$2,000
2026
$2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a married couple when both apply (Ohio Admin. Code 5160:1-3-05.1). Separate spousal protections apply when only one spouse needs care; ask the Medicaid office for those amounts.
If income is over the limit
Ohio uses a hard income cap. People over it can still qualify by putting the extra income into a Qualified Income Trust (a "Miller trust") each month.
Look-back on gifts and transfers: 60 months.
Apply for Ohio Medicaid
Ohio Department of Medicaid (applications handled by your county Department of Job and Family Services)
Assisted Living Waiver
Can pay in assisted livingMedicaid pays for care services (and memory care) in an Ohio Department of Health licensed residential care facility for people 21+ who need nursing-home-level help. Your parent still pays a set monthly rent for room and board, equal to the SSI federal rate minus $50. Start by calling your local PASSPORT Administrative Agency (usually the Area Agency on Aging) at 1-866-243-5678.
Waitlist: Ask whether there's a waitlist when you call.
PASSPORT
Not for assisted livingMedicaid waiver run by the Ohio Department of Aging for people 65+ (or 60-64 with a disability) who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay at home. Covers personal care, home-delivered meals, adult day care, respite, emergency response and, since October 2024, Structured Family Caregiving. It starts with a phone screening by your local PASSPORT Administrative Agency.
Waitlist: Ask whether there's a waitlist when you call.
Next Generation MyCare Ohio
One managed care plan for Ohioans who have both Medicare and Medicaid, including long-term care at home or in a facility. It expanded statewide in 2026; the 2026 plans are Anthem, CareSource and Molina. Call the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline at 800-324-8680 to enroll or choose a plan.
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 Ohio:
- BoldAge PACE, Columbus area
- Buckeye PACE, Warren area
Who to call in Ohio
Free, and on your side. Start with the aging office if you don't know where to begin.
Ohio Department of Aging
Start hereThe state's aging office and its local agencies explain your options, screen for programs and help with applications.
Ohio 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.
Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP)
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 Ohio assisted living or nursing home
In Ohio, assisted living is licensed as: Residential Care Facility (assisted living). Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
Ohio Department of Health
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.
Ohio veterans homes and benefits
State veterans homes are often far cheaper than private care for eligible veterans and, in many states, their spouses.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
Free legal help and paperwork in Ohio
Pro Seniors Legal Hotline
Free legal help for older adults on issues like benefits, housing, powers of attorney and elder abuse.
Documents and forms
Ohio help for caregivers and people with dementia
Can a family member be paid to provide care? Yes, in some programs.
PASSPORT added Structured Family Caregiving in October 2024, which can pay a family caregiver who lives with and cares for a PASSPORT member. Ask the PASSPORT Administrative Agency about it.
National Family Caregiver Support Program (through Area Agencies on Aging)
Your local Area Agency on Aging offers a free assessment, caregiver training and support groups, respite care, adult day and medical alert services, meals and home modifications.
Dementia Caregiving resources (Ohio Department of Aging)
State page for families caring for someone with dementia, pointing to Area Agency on Aging caregiver support and home and community services.
More help in Ohio
Golden Buckeye Card
Free discount card from the Ohio Department of Aging for older adults and people with disabilities, good for savings at participating Ohio businesses.
Long-Term Care Quality Navigator (Long-Term Care Consumer Guide)
State dashboard to compare Ohio nursing homes and assisted living facilities, with CMS ratings and deficiencies for nursing homes plus resident and family satisfaction scores.
Ohio senior care questions
What is the Medicaid asset limit in Ohio?
$2,000 for a single person (2026). $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a married couple when both apply (Ohio Admin. Code 5160:1-3-05.1). Separate spousal protections apply when only one spouse needs care; ask the Medicaid office for those amounts.
Who do I call with a complaint about an assisted living or nursing home in Ohio?
The Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 1-800-282-1206. It's free and independent.
National help that works in Ohio too
Senior living in Ohio cities
Senior care guides for other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Researched from 34 sources, official pages first. Last checked .