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Virginia · checked September 2026
How Virginia 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. Auxiliary Grant (AG) helps pay for care in assisted living.
Virginia's Medicaid rules for long-term care, and the programs that pay for care outside a nursing home.
$2,982
2026
300% of SSI limit for nursing home and waiver (CCC Plus) Medicaid, effective 1/1/2026. Virginia does not use a Miller trust: people with income above this can still qualify through medically needy spenddown, where care costs are counted against income.
$2,000
2026
Resource limit for one person under Medicaid for the aged, blind or disabled ($3,000 for a couple), from the 2026 Cover Virginia ABD flyer. Long-term care uses ABD resource rules. Spousal resource standard for a spouse at home: $32,532 minimum, $162,660 maximum (effective 1/1/2026). Ask the state Medicaid office about the home equity limit, and confirm spousal protections before relying on them.
Virginia doesn't use a hard cap. People over the limit can qualify by paying most of their income toward their care (a spend-down).
Apply for Cardinal Care (Virginia Medicaid); apply through Cover Virginia
Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)
Virginia's Medicaid program for people of any age who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay in the community. It can pay for things like nursing, respite, assistive technology and home changes. A screening is required first. Virginia's Medicaid manual says assisted living facilities and memory care units are not Medicaid long-term care facilities, so Medicaid does not pay the assisted living bill; the Auxiliary Grant is the main public help for that.
Waitlist: No. Cover Virginia states the CCC Plus Waiver has no waiting list.
A state and local payment that helps people with low income pay the monthly rate at a licensed assisted living facility that accepts it. For 2026 the facility rate is $2,130 a month ($2,450 in Northern Virginia), and the resident keeps $87 a month for personal needs. Ask your local Department of Social Services about applying.
Waitlist: Only assisted living facilities that accept the Auxiliary Grant can be used; VDSS publishes a list of them.
Virginia's Auxiliary Grant is its state supplement to SSI for people living in licensed assisted living facilities (or supportive housing). $2,130 is the 2026 maximum facility rate the grant plus the person's own income covers ($2,450 in Northern Virginia, Planning District 8); the actual grant is the difference after the person's income. Personal needs allowance $87. Apply at the local Department of Social Services.
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 Virginia:
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.
You don't need proof to report. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
24/7
In Virginia, assisted living is licensed as: Assisted Living Facility. Read inspection reports before you sign anything.
Confirm a community's license here, and ask the agency how to see its inspection reports.
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.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Richmond
skilled nursing, memory care
Roanoke
skilled nursing, domiciliary, assisted living
Virginia Beach
skilled nursing, memory care
Can a family member be paid to provide care?
Ask the Medicaid office or your local aging office whether a family member can be paid to provide care in your parent's program.
$2,000 for a single person (2026). Resource limit for one person under Medicaid for the aged, blind or disabled ($3,000 for a couple), from the 2026 Cover Virginia ABD flyer. Long-term care uses ABD resource rules. Spousal resource standard for a spouse at home: $32,532 minimum, $162,660 maximum (effective 1/1/2026). Ask the state Medicaid office about the home equity limit, and confirm spousal protections before relying on them.
Researched from 35 sources, official pages first. Last checked .