Paying for assisted living and home care in California
- Last checked
- 15 official or primary sources
- Independent, not a care agency
Quick answer
Possibly, if the person meets the rules. California Medicaid home and community-based programs (such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)) can pay for care at home for people who qualify, but federal waiver money can't pay room and board in assisted living. Some veterans can get VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound money or VA home care. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term care. In CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, the California median was $7,000 a month for assisted living and $7,627 a month for a non-medical caregiver at home 44 hours a week ($40/hour).
What care costs in California
| Type of care | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Assisted living (monthly, private one-bedroom) | $7,000 | $6,200 |
| Home care, non-medical caregiver (monthly, 44 hrs/week) | $7,627 | $6,673 |
| Home care, non-medical caregiver (hourly) | $40 | $35 |
Source: CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (surveyed July–November 2025). Survey medians, not quotes; prices vary by city and provider.
Medicaid in California
These are the California Medicaid home and community-based programs we've documented in our California caregiver pay guide:
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Medi-Cal-funded program in which an approved recipient hires their own individual provider. Family members can be providers after completing provider enrollment. IHSS has sub-programs (PCSP, IHSS Plus Option, CFCO, IHSS-R) and which one applies depends partly on who the provider is.
How to apply: Submit form SOC 295 to your county IHSS office. A county social worker does a home assessment; a Health Care Certification (SOC 873) is required before services are authorized.
Waiting list: Unknown – not stated on the CDSS pages we checked.
Assisted living: Unverified: we haven't yet confirmed on an official California page whether Medicaid pays for services in assisted living. Where states do, federal rules don't allow waiver money for room and board (42 CFR 441.310), so ask how rent and meals would be paid.
Some of these programs let the person hire a family caregiver. Can family get paid in California?
Veterans in California
VA Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits add to the VA pension for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who qualify. VA pays the gap between countable income and a yearly limit: for December 1, 2025 to November 30, 2026, $29,093 for a veteran with no dependents who qualifies for Aid and Attendance, or $34,488 with one dependent (VA rates). Enrolled veterans may also get Homemaker and Home Health Aide care or Veteran-Directed Care where it's offered. VA doesn't pay assisted living rent but may cover some services. See also VA programs that pay family caregivers.
Other help in California
Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care (Medicare.gov). Your local Area Agency on Aging can tell you about California programs outside Medicaid, like respite and caregiver support. Find it through the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116). Need ramps or grab bars instead? See home modification grants.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Medicaid pay for assisted living in California?
We haven't confirmed on an official California page whether Medicaid covers services in assisted living there. Where states do, federal rules don't allow waiver money for room and board, so rent and meals are usually paid separately. Ask the California Medicaid agency.
Will Medicaid pay for home care in California?
California Medicaid offers home and community-based programs, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Eligibility depends on income, assets and care needs, and enrollment can be limited.
Can a veteran in California get help paying for care?
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who meet VA's income, net worth and care-need rules may get Aid and Attendance or Housebound pension money. Enrolled veterans may get VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide care or Veteran-Directed Care where offered. These are federal programs, so the rules are the same in California as everywhere.
How much does senior care cost in California?
In CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, the California median was $7,000 a month for assisted living and $7,627 a month for a non-medical caregiver at home 44 hours a week ($40/hour). These are medians, not quotes.
Sources
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