How to apply for Florida Community Care for the Elderly (CCE)

Who it's for

Community Care for the Elderly is Florida's broadest state-funded in-home services program for functionally impaired seniors aged 60 and older who want to stay in their own home instead of moving to a facility. CCE is not Medicaid — it is funded by the state through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, which works through 11 Area Agencies on Aging and 47 contracted lead agencies (and their subcontractors) to deliver a wide menu of services. Eligible clients may receive case management, adult day care, adult day health care, personal care, homemaker and chore services, home-delivered meals, home health aide and home nursing, respite for family caregivers, emergency alert response systems, escort and shopping assistance, transportation, emergency home repair, consumable medical supplies, counseling, and other community-based supports. There is no rigid income or asset test, but most counties operate a waitlist and apply a sliding-fee co-payment scale once a participant's income rises above a base threshold — at or below roughly 150% of the Federal Poverty Level the participant typically pays nothing, and the co-pay rises in steps for higher-income participants. Priority for services goes to seniors referred by Adult Protective Services as victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, followed by those with the greatest functional impairment. Apply through the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or your local Aging and Disability Resource Center.

What you'll need

• DOEA Form 701B (functional assessment) completed by a CARES or Lead Agency case manager
• Proof of age (driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate)
• Documentation of household income (used to set the sliding-fee co-payment, not to gate eligibility)
• Medical or functional documentation supporting the need for in-home services
• Florida residency documentation

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Florida Community Care for the Elderly (CCE). 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 dOEA Form 701B (functional assessment) completed by a CARES or Lead Agency case manager, proof of age (driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate), documentation of household income (used to set the sliding-fee co-payment, not to gate eligibility) — 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.

Step by step

1. Call the statewide Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center to start your application and ask about your county's current waitlist.
2. Gather proof of age — a driver's license, state ID, or birth certificate.
3. Collect documentation of your household income. This is used to set any sliding-fee co-payment, not to determine whether you qualify.
4. Gather medical or functional records that support your need for in-home services, plus a document showing Florida residency.
5. Complete the DOEA Form 701B functional assessment. A CARES or Lead Agency case manager will conduct this assessment with you — it is required to determine eligibility and cannot be done on your own.
6. Apply online or by phone at 1-800-963-5337. A case manager will review your assessment results and connect you with the services that match your needs.
7. Ask the case manager about your waitlist position and your expected co-payment amount, since most counties have a waitlist and co-pays rise on a sliding scale for incomes above roughly 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What to expect: After you apply, a Lead Agency case manager will review your DOEA Form 701B functional assessment and determine which services you are eligible to receive. Because most counties operate a waitlist, there may be a wait before services begin — ask your case manager or local Aging and Disability Resource Center for an estimate of current wait times. Priority is given to seniors referred by Adult Protective Services as victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, followed by those with the greatest functional need. Once enrolled, you will have an annual reassessment by your Lead Agency case manager to confirm continued eligibility and update your service plan.

Renewals

annual reassessment by Lead Agency case manager