Assisted Living in New York

New York's Medicaid program for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, home care, and other medical services. It does not pay assisted living rent, but you need it to get Medicaid help through the Assisted Living Program.

If you are married and your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep $74,820 to $162,660 in savings and up to $4,066.50 a month in income when you get nursing home care or some community long-term care services.

New York's Medicaid option for assisted living. An ALP is run by a licensed adult home or enriched housing program that the state has approved to serve people who would otherwise need a nursing home. Medicaid pays the ALP a set rate for your care, including personal care, nursing, home health aides, therapy, medical supplies, and an emergency response system.

Medicaid does not pay for room and board. You pay that to the residence yourself. If you get SSI, your payment rises to $1,688 a month in 2026 while you live in an adult care facility, and you keep at least $262 of it each month for personal needs.

Only residences approved as ALPs can offer it, and the number of places is limited. Ask each residence whether it has an ALP and an open spot.

If you get SSI and live in a licensed adult care facility, New York adds a state supplement that raises your payment to $1,688 a month in 2026, or $3,376 for a couple. You keep at least $262 a month for personal needs, and the rest goes to the facility for room, board, and care. The same person living on their own would get the federal SSI amount plus a state supplement of $87.

Assisted Living Program residents who get SSI can pay room and board from this payment, since Medicaid pays only for their care.

A state-funded program for people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia who live in a special needs assisted living residence (a memory care residence) and can no longer afford to pay privately. The state pays the residence a voucher of up to 75% of the average monthly cost of these residences in your region. The goal is to help you stay where you are instead of moving to a nursing home.

The state can issue up to 200 vouchers. When they run out, eligible applicants go on a waitlist and are added first come, first served.

Medicaid health plans that provide long-term care so you can keep living at home. A care manager plans your services with you. Services include home care, personal care, nursing and therapy at home, adult day health care, and Consumer Directed Personal Assistance, where you choose your own aide.

There are three types of plans. An MLTC Medicaid plan covers home care and other long-term care. A Medicaid Advantage Plus plan also covers your Medicare benefits. PACE, for people 55 and older, provides all of your medical and long-term care through one team. None of these plans pay for assisted living, and you cannot join one while you are in the Assisted Living Program.

The federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Part A covers hospital stays and a short period of skilled nursing care after a hospital stay. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Medicare does not pay for assisted living rent or for help with daily tasks like bathing and dressing. In 2026, Part B costs $202.90 a month with a $283 yearly deductible, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736.

Plans sold by private insurers that replace Original Medicare. They must cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many add drug, dental, vision, or hearing coverage. Plans, costs, and doctor networks vary by county.

Drug plans that add prescription coverage to Original Medicare. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs and its own premium. Most Medicare Advantage plans already include drug coverage.

A federal program, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, that pays most Part D premiums, deductibles, and drug copays. People who get Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically.

New York Medicaid programs that pay Medicare costs for people with limited income. When you enroll in QMB or QI, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) pays the Part A premium if you need to buy Part A, the Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. Qualifying Individual (QI) pays the Part B premium. Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) pays the Part A premium for people under 65 who lost premium-free Part A after going back to work.

New York has no asset limit for QMB or QI, so you can qualify even if your savings are too high for Medicaid. QDWI has an asset limit of $4,000 (single) or $6,000 (couple).

Monthly income for retired workers, based on what you earned during your working years. You can spend it on anything, including assisted living. You need at least 40 work credits, which is about 10 years of work. Benefits can start at 62, and the monthly check is larger if you wait until full retirement age or later.

A monthly federal payment for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very little income and savings. Getting SSI usually qualifies you for Medicaid as well.