How to apply for Community Choices Waiver (Community Long Term Care) — care at home instead of a nursing home
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Community Long Term Care (CLTC)
Who it's for
The Community Choices waiver helps people who need nursing-home-level care get help at home instead. It serves frail older adults (65 and older) and adults 18 to 64 with physical disabilities who meet nursing facility level of care. Services include case management, personal care, attendant care, companion care, home-delivered meals, adult day health care, respite, a personal emergency response system, home accessibility changes, and medical equipment and supplies. Medicaid income must be at or below 300% of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate ($2,982 a month for one person in 2026). Call CLTC Centralized Intake at 1-888-971-1637 or make a referral online to start.
Requires a nursing facility level of care, decided by a CLTC assessment, plus Medicaid financial eligibility (resource limits apply and are not shown here). The income limit applies to the applicant's own income. Services depend on an individual plan and available waiver slots.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Find my benefitsWhat you'll need
- Healthy Connections application (with the Application for Nursing Home, Residential or In-Home Care)
- Level-of-care assessment by CLTC
- Proof of income and resources
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 1-888-971-1637
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Community Choices Waiver (Community Long Term Care) — care at home instead of a nursing home. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may need healthy Connections application (with the Application for Nursing Home, Residential or In-Home Care), level-of-care assessment by CLTC, proof of income and resources — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
annual
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.