How to apply for Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

Who it's for

The Assisted Living Waiver pays the care portion of a stay at a participating Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) or publicly subsidized senior housing for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who would otherwise need nursing home placement. The waiver covers personal care, assistance with activities of daily living, medication management, social services, and care coordination at the facility; the participant pays only the residency cost (room and board), which for SSI-eligible seniors is capped at the SSI/SSP non-medical out-of-home care rate (roughly $1,300 per month). ALW operates in 15 California counties and has limited slots; new applicants typically join a waiting list. The waiver is one of the few Medi-Cal pathways that pays for assisted living rather than only home-based care.

What you'll need

• Medi-Cal card or Medi-Cal application confirmation showing full-scope coverage
• Recent medical records or a physician statement documenting nursing-facility-level care need
• Care needs assessment from a state-contracted Care Coordination Agency (typically scheduled after the application is submitted)
• Documentation of preferred ALW-participating facility, if known (or willingness to consider available facilities in the service area)

Where to apply

Renewals

annual (re-assessment of nursing-facility-level certification and Medi-Cal eligibility)