Paying for assisted living in California

The Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver

• Assisted Living Waiver participants still pay their own room and board; the waiver pays for care services. Families apply through a Care Coordination Agency, not directly to the state. Source
• To qualify for the Assisted Living Waiver a person must be 21 or older, have full-scope Medi-Cal with no share of cost, need the level of care given in a nursing home, and be willing to live in assisted living instead. Source
• The Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver pays for care in assisted living for people who would otherwise qualify for a nursing home. It is available only in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma counties. Source
• Medi-Cal pays assisted living providers $95.69 to $270.80 a day for waiver care services, across five tiers of need. Source
• The current Assisted Living Waiver term runs March 1, 2024 to February 28, 2029. Source

Facts checked November 14, 2026 with the California Department of Health Care Services. Waiver slots are limited and some counties have waitlists.