How to apply for Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC)

Who it's for

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) is Florida's Medicaid program for people who need nursing-home-level care — whether they receive that care in a nursing facility, an assisted living facility, or in their own home. SMMC LTC pays for nursing facility care, assisted living, adult day health care, home health aide and personal care visits, homemaker and respite services, home-delivered meals, adult companion services, home accessibility modifications, medical equipment, and case management — all coordinated by a managed-care plan you choose at enrollment. To qualify, you must be age 65 or older (or 18+ with a disability), be financially eligible under Florida Medicaid's institutional-care income and asset rules (for 2026 that is monthly income at or below $2,982 — 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate of $994 — and countable assets at or below $2,000 for an individual, with special spousal-impoverishment protections for married couples), and be determined by DOEA's CARES (Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services) program to require nursing-facility level of care. A waitlist is the norm: CARES screens and prioritizes applicants for available enrollment slots through a wait-list release process. Apply through the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or the DCF ACCESS portal — eligibility is determined by DCF while CARES handles the medical level-of-care determination.

What you'll need

• DCF ACCESS Florida Medicaid application
• DOEA CARES Form 701B functional assessment (level-of-care determination)
• Proof of identity and Social Security number
• Proof of all monthly income (Social Security award letter, pension statements)
• Bank statements and documentation of countable resources for both spouses if married
• Medical records or physician statement supporting nursing-facility level of care
• Proof of Florida residency and citizenship or qualified immigration status

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC). 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 dCF ACCESS Florida Medicaid application, dOEA CARES Form 701B functional assessment (level-of-care determination), proof of identity and Social Security number — 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 Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or visit the DCF ACCESS portal to start your application for Florida Medicaid and SMMC LTC.
2. Gather your required documents: proof of identity and Social Security number, proof of all monthly income (such as a Social Security award letter or pension statements), bank statements and documentation of countable resources (both spouses' records if married), medical records or a physician statement supporting nursing-facility level of care, and proof of Florida residency and citizenship or qualified immigration status.
3. Complete and submit the DCF ACCESS Florida Medicaid application. DCF will review your income and assets to determine financial eligibility.
4. Undergo the DOEA CARES functional assessment. A CARES representative will complete Form 701B with you to determine whether you meet the nursing-facility level-of-care requirement. This step is separate from the financial review and is required for SMMC LTC enrollment.
5. If you are married, ask your DCF eligibility specialist about spousal-impoverishment protections, which allow the community spouse to keep substantially more income and assets than the standard individual limits.
6. After both the financial and level-of-care determinations are completed, you will be placed on the SMMC LTC waitlist if slots are not immediately available. Ask the Elder Helpline for your current waitlist position.
7. Once an enrollment slot opens for you, choose a managed-care plan to coordinate your long-term care services.
8. Keep track of your annual financial recertification with DCF and any periodic CARES reassessments of your level of care to maintain your enrollment.

What to expect: After submitting your application, DCF will review your financial information and DOEA's CARES program will conduct a separate level-of-care assessment using Form 701B. Meeting the income, asset, and level-of-care requirements does not guarantee immediate enrollment — SMMC LTC operates a managed waitlist, and most applicants are placed on it until a slot becomes available. Processing times vary, so contact the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or your DCF eligibility specialist for an estimate and to check your waitlist position. Once enrolled, you will select a managed-care plan to coordinate your services. To stay enrolled, you must complete an annual financial recertification with DCF and periodic level-of-care reassessments through CARES.

Renewals

annual financial recertification plus periodic CARES reassessment of level of care