GrandCare
Assisted Living Services

The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a waiver that was created by legislation to provide assisted living care services as a Medi-Cal benefit. Visit the Department of Health Care Services to learn more.

• Age 21 or older;
• Have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility with zero share of cost;
• Enrolled in SSI/SSP/SSD or receive monthly income.
• Receive enough income to pay the monthly room and board amount.
• Have care needs equal to those of Medi-Cal-funded residents living and receiving care in Nursing Facilities;
• Willing to live in an assisted living setting as an alternative to a Nursing Facility;
• Able to reside safely in an assisted living facility or public subsidized housing;
• Willing to live in an assisted living setting located in one of the following counties providing ALW services: 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

Yes. As long as you provide us, your Care Coordination Agency (CCA), with your social security number and date of birth we can add you to the waitlist. You will need to enroll in Medi-Cal by the time we have to assess.

ALW Room & Board Rate as of January 2024 is $1,398.07 per month.
Room & Board cost is determined each year based on the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) published maximum SSI benefits available to beneficiaries in different living arrangements. Most ALW participants use their Social Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) to pay for rent.

Yes. You have a choice of which approved facility where you wish to reside. Be advised, each facility must also confirm they can accommodate care level before admission. The facility is ultimately decided on by the participant.

No. Having Medi-Cal benefits allows you to participate in the program but does not mean that a participant is auto-enrolled. You still need to apply with a Care Coordinating Agency (CCA) to be enrolled.