Assisted Living in Florida

Care in a Florida assisted living community is typically paid for by a resident’s private funds (e.g. savings, 401(k), pension, Social Security, etc.), long-term care insurance, and in some cases, VA benefits.

Medicaid in the state of Florida may help to cover assisted living through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC) if your loved one is eligible. Adults 65 years of age and older who require nursing facility level of care and individuals ages 18 and older with a disability who also require nursing facility level of care are among the eligible groups for SMMC LTC. Florida residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income automatically qualify for Medicaid coverage. There are also financial stipulations that must be met in order to qualify. The applicant’s countable resources may not exceed $2,000, and for those individuals residing in a community setting (home, assisted living facility, etc.), monthly income cannot exceed $733. For couples applying for this program, both applicants much be aged, blind, or disabled, and the income limit and countable resource limit are $1,100 and $3,000 respectively.

For those individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid, Florida offers another program to seniors 65 and older that provides cash payments to help with the cost of room and board in assisted living. Individuals cannot have a monthly income that exceeds $811.40, and couples’ monthly income cannot be greater than $1,622.80. Additionally, assets for individuals and couples cannot exceed $2,000 and $3,000 respectively.