Author: Andrea Miller
Reviewed By: Brindusa Vanta
Private assisted living centers don’t have an income cutoff. If you can pay the rent and fees for the community, most centers will admit you as long as you meet their other requirements.
Low-income individuals aged 62 and older could qualify for subsidized assisted living through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program offers affordable assisted living homes for seniors. For this program, the household income cutoff is half your location’s Area Median Income. If you qualify, your rent will be no more than 30% of your adjusted income.
According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care survey, the average cost of assisted living in the U.S. is $4,500 per month. This cost includes room and board, but care may cost extra depending on the level of assistance you need. You can apply for Medicare or Medicaid to cover assisted living expenses related to health care and help with activities of daily living. Some communities may also charge additional fees, such as costs for specific amenities.
When you or a loved one needs assisted living, it’s important to consider the full cost of services, as well as available assistance programs, before making a final decision. The National Council on Aging notes that 70% of seniors cite cost as the most important factor when finding an assisted living community.
