Assisted Living in Ohio

Ohio's Medicaid program for older adults and people with disabilities. It pays for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and long-term care. It does not pay assisted living rent, but you need it to join the Assisted Living Waiver, which can pay for your care in assisted living.

For regular Medicaid, the monthly income limit is $994 for one person and $1,491 for a couple in 2026. People who need nursing home care or waiver services, such as the Assisted Living Waiver, can have more income, up to $2,982 a month. If your income is over that, you may still qualify by putting the extra income into a Qualified Income Trust.

If you are married and your spouse stays at home, your spouse can keep $32,532 to $162,660 in savings and up to $4,066.50 a month in income when you get nursing home care or waiver services.

An Ohio Medicaid program, run by the Ohio Department of Aging, for people who would otherwise need a nursing home. It pays for your care in an assisted living community that the department has certified for the waiver. Care can include 24-hour on-site response, personal care, housekeeping, laundry, nursing, meals, and activities. A memory care service adds more staff and dementia training. The waiver can also help pay to set up your new home if you are moving out of a nursing home.

It does not pay room and board. You pay that to the community yourself. The state sets the room and board charge at the SSI federal benefit rate, $994 a month in 2026, minus $50. The community cannot charge you more than that. If your income is too low to cover it, family can pay the difference. Out of your income, you keep $994 a month for room and board and personal needs. Some of the rest may go toward the cost of your care.

A monthly state cash payment for adults who need some help with daily care but not a nursing home. You combine it with your own income to pay the monthly fee at an approved group living home. The fee is set at $1,600 a month and covers your room, supervision, and personal care. The payment tops your income up to $1,800 a month, so you have $200 left for personal needs. These amounts took effect July 1, 2023.

RSS is mainly for Class Two Residential Facilities, which are group homes licensed by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. A licensed residential care facility (assisted living) counts only if your county has no Class Two Residential Facilities, or the ones there that house people with mental illness have no open beds.

An Ohio Medicaid program, run by the Ohio Department of Aging, that helps older adults get care at home instead of moving to a nursing home. A case manager builds a plan of services from local providers. Services can include personal care, homemaker and chore help, home-delivered meals, adult day care, emergency response systems, minor home changes, medical supplies, nursing, and respite. A family caregiver who lives with you can also be paid through an agency. You also get a Medicaid card for doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions.

Services are limited to $14,700 a month. PASSPORT does not pay for care in assisted living.

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.

Ohio Medicaid programs, called the Medicare Premium Assistance Program, that pay Medicare costs for people with limited income. Anyone in QMB, SLMB, or QI-1 also qualifies for Extra Help.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI-1) pay the Part B premium.

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.