Assisted Living Waiver Program: California Medi-Cal Resource for Life Care Planning Support
Contact Legacy Navigation, a team of Certified Medicaid Planners™, for assisted living waiver application assistance for California adults in need. Our specialized training allows us to help you apply and qualify for Medi-Cal programs at a fraction of the cost of an elder care attorney.
ALW: Medi-Cal Program Overview
- 1915(c) HCBS Medicaid Waiver
- Statewide Medicaid program for elderly or disabled Californians.
- Designed to safely meet the care needs of disabled and elderly while they live in California residential facilities.
- Seniors can live in a senior living setting or public subsidized housing in one of the 15 participating California counties.
Benefits of California’s ALW Program
- Care coordination and management
- Housekeeping/laundry
- Personal care
- Medication oversight
- Prepared meals/snacks
- Transportation
- Activities
- Skilled health aides
- Residential habilitation for behavioral issues
*Not a complete list
Eligibility Requirements for the California Assisted Living Waiver Program
To qualify for California’s Assisted Living Waiver program, seniors must meet certain financial requirements.
If your income or financial holdings exceed the limits outlined by Medi-Cal but you can’t afford the cost of care for yourself or a loved one, we can share some Medi-Cal planning strategies that may help.
2026 Income Limits
- Single applicant: $1,801/mo
- Married (both applying): $2,433/mo
- Married (one spouse applying): $2,433/mo
- A married applicant may be eligible to allocate a portion of their income to their non-applicant spouse as a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance
2026 Asset Limits
- Individual applicant: $130,000
- Married spouses (both applying): $195,000
- If only one spouse is applying, the assets of both spouses are limited because Medi-Cal considers assets to be jointly owned*
Functional Need Requirement
- To qualify for an Assisted Living Waiver in California, seniors must require a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC).
- An in-person or over-the-phone interview is required to establish functional need.
- As a Clinical Care Team, Legacy Navigation can prepare you for what this assessment will look like and help you understand the types of questions you will be asked.
Additional Information About California Medi-Cal Asset Eligibility Guidelines
Countable Income
- Employment wages
- Alimony payments
- Pension payments
- Social Security Disability Income
- Social Security Income
- IRA withdrawals
- Stock dividends
Non-Countable Income
- VA Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pensions
- Holocaust restitution payments
Additional Information About California Medi-Cal Asset Eligibility Guidelines
Countable Assets
- Cash
- Cryptocurrency
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Mutual funds
- Bank Accounts
- Real estate (other than primary home)
Non-Countable Assets
- Personal belongings
- Non-applicant spouse’s IRA
- One automobile
- Household furnishings
- Primary home
- Irrevocable burial trust
- Retirement account
When You’re Over the Limits for the Assisted Living Waiver: California Eligibility Options
Medically Needy Pathway
Called Aged, Blind and Disabled – Medically Needy Program (ABD-MN) in California.
- A predetermined Maintenance Need Allowance (MNA) is deducted from countable monthly income to determine Share of Cost (SOC).
- In 2026, the MNA is $600 for an individual and $934 for a married couple.
Asset Spend Down
Seniors who have countable assets over Medi-Cal’s asset limit can “spend down” excess assets on non-countable ones:
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Certified Medicaid Planning™ Services
Medicaid planning professionals can help you organize your finances and identify strategies to help you become Medicaid-eligible.
At Legacy Navigation, we take a holistic approach to Medicaid planning and develop a customized plan that fits your unique situation.
How Seniors Can Apply for the Assisted Living Waiver in California
Determine Eligibility
Seniors looking for Medi-Cal services to supplement the cost of their long-term care needs must meet specific California Medi-Cal eligibility requirements, including:
- Income limits
- Asset limits
- Functional need requirements
Gather All Supporting Documents
You will be asked to verify information about your household, including your income and assets. It’s important to have all of this documentation prepared before you apply to avoid any delays. It’s also important that all of your information and documentation is correct so your application won’t be denied based on a procedural error.
Apply
There are various ways seniors can complete the Medi-Cal application::
- Online
- Over the phone
- In-person
Applying on Your Own
- Navigate Medi-Cal’s eligibility requirements to find out if you qualify.
- Spend weeks gathering supporting documentation and completing the lengthy application process by yourself.
- Wait up to three months or more for application processing.
- Independently maneuver various networks of service providers to establish long-term care solutions covered by the assisted living waiver program.
Applying With Help From Legacy Navigation
- Legacy Navigation will assess your unique situation, review your finances, and develop a customized Medi-Cal plan to help you qualify for the ALW in California.
- As your authorized representative, we’ll make sure every required piece of supporting documentation is in place and complete your application on your behalf.
- In most cases, we are able to accelerate the application review process.
- Our network of partners in the senior and disabled care community can provide referrals to fulfill all the benefits you qualify for as an ALW participant.
California Assisted Living Waiver Assistance: Client and Community Partner Testimonials
FAQs About California’s Assisted Living Waiver
Who qualifies for assisted living in California?
To qualify for California’s ALW, you must:
- Be 21 or over
- Have Medi-Cal eligibility with zero share of cost
- Be willing to live in assisted living instead of a nursing facility
- Be able to reside in an assisted living facility/public housing safely
- Live or be willing to live in one of the California counties that provide ALW services
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Fresno
- Kern
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Bernadino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Sonoma
How can I qualify for the Assisted Living Waiver in California if I exceed the eligibility limits?
If your income puts you above Medicaid financial limits, but the cost of your monthly care exceeds your income, there are Medicaid planning strategies that can help you become eligible for Medicaid programs. Contact Legacy Navigation for a free consultation.
Can I qualify for the California ALW if I own my home?
Yes. There are no asset limit requirements for HCBS eligibility in California. If one spouse within a married couple is applying for a waiver and needs care that only a facility can provide the non-applicant spouse may remain in the primary residence.
If I qualify for the ALW, will I get benefits right away?
Not necessarily — the number of participant enrollment slots is limited, and when the slots are full, you’ll be on a waiting list if you meet eligibility requirements. There is a significant waiting list right now, so try to plan ahead for long-term services and support if possible.
Who can help me with the application process for the Assisted Living Waiver program in California?
Medicaid rules and regulations can be difficult to grasp, and it’s not unusual for applicants to be denied the first time they apply for assistance. A Certified Medicaid Planning™ team like the one at Legacy Navigation can complete the ALW application on your behalf.