STATE RESOURCES
FOR SENIORS IN ALABAMA
Seniors can benet from a variety of programs and services oered by their state
governments, but they may not know where to access these resources. This guide
covers the benets, eligibility requirements, and application processes for nancial
assistance resources for healthcare and prescriptions, medical equipment, senior living
and senior care, home-related expenses, and food and nutrition available to seniors in
your state. Find the type of assistance you need and read about the options for seniors
in your state.
Financial Assistance for Senior Living
& Senior Care
Cash Assistance Programs for Seniors
Free Used Medical Equipment
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug
Coverage for Seniors
Assistance at Home
Food Assistance Programs for Seniors
STATE RESOURCES
FOR SENIORS IN ALABAMA
At MemoryCare, we understand that learning about and accessing the assistance you
need isn’t easy. We created this guide to help seniors and their families learn about the
available nancial assistance options for senior living and senior care in your state so
you can focus on what matters: nding the right senior care for your loved one. In the
following resource guide, learn about the nancial assistance options for senior care and
senior living in your state, what benets the dierent programs oer, who is eligible,
and how to apply.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
SENIOR LIVING & SENIOR CARE
The Administration for Community Living projects approximately one in three seniors
will require long-term care, including assisted living or nursing home care, at some
point in their lives. This type of care can be costly, which leaves seniors and their families
struggling to nd ways to pay.
Fortunately, in Alabama, several programs can provide nancial relief for some or
even all care costs. These programs help reduce some of the out-of-pocket burdens so
seniors can get the care they need.
MEDICAID
Alabama Medicaid is a state and federally funded health care program that helps
individuals pay for medical services. Seniors may use Medicaid in conjunction with
Medicare for maximum medical coverage, but it requires a physician to necessitate long-
term care. It pays for services such as mental health treatment, therapy, skilled nursing,
doctor’s visits and prescriptions. Medicaid pays for personal care such as housekeeping,
meals, transportation and activities of daily living indirectly through waivers.
How to Apply
Alabama seniors may apply online for Alabama Medicaid through the Insure Alabama
website or by calling (800) 362-1504. Seniors may download and submit the application
in person at any Medicaid oce location or mail it to:
Medicaid
P.O. Box 5624
Montgomery, AL 36103-5624
Eligibility
To qualify for Alabama Medicaid, seniors must meet specic income and asset limits and
additional criteria, including:
• Resident of Alabama
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a satisfactory immigrant status
• Must be 65 years of age or older
• Require a nursing home level of care
Financial Assistance for Senior Living & Senior Care
Income limits vary depending on the year and Medicaid bases them on the federal
poverty level. Asset limits apply to individual applicants and couples.
2022 Alabama Medicaid Yearly Income and Asset Limits
Asset Limits Yearly Income Limits
Individuals $30,276 $2,000
Two-Person Households
(One person applying)
$30,276
$2,000 for applicant
$137,400 for non-applicant
Two-Person Households
(Both individuals applying)
$60,552 per couple $4,000 per couple
MEDICARE
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for older adults (65+) and some
younger people with disabilities. Part A, which covers inpatient care, may also cover
medically necessary care delivered in a skilled nursing facility.
How to Apply
To apply for Medicare online, visit the Social Security Administration website, agree to the
terms of service and ll out the application. To apply by telephone, call (800) 772-1213. If you
prefer to apply in person, use the SSA oce locator to nd a nearby Social Security oce.
Eligibility
You may qualify for Medicare coverage if any of the following apply:
• You’re at least 65 years old.
• You have end-stage renal disease.
• You’re under age 65 and have a disability.
If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you qualify
for premium-free Part A coverage. You may also qualify for premium-free coverage if
you’ve been receiving disability benets for at least 24 months, you’re on kidney dialysis
or you need a kidney transplant.
ELDERLY AND DISABLED WAIVER
The Elderly and Disabled Waiver helps seniors pay for services at home and in
alternative residential care instead of nursing home admission. The waiver provides
home- and community-based services, including housekeeping, dressing, grooming,
Financial Assistance for Senior Living & Senior Care
meal prep and transportation. It doesn’t cover the cost of room and board. This program
isn’t an entitlement program, which means only a limited number of individuals receive
the waiver each year.
How to Apply
To apply for the waiver, contact a local Area Agency on Aging at (877) 425-2243.
Eligibility
To qualify, seniors must be at least 65 years of age or older and be at risk for nursing
home placement. They must also meet the income and asset limits for Medicaid.
INDEPENDENT LIVING WAIVER
The State of Alabama Independent Living (SAIL) waiver provides services to disabled
individuals aged 18 and older. The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
operates the waiver program. This waiver pays for services including assistive
technologies, personal care services, case management and home modications.
How to Apply
Seniors should apply for the waiver at any Alabama Medicaid office or by calling
(800) 362-1504.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age with a disability, and they must
require a nursing home level of care but prefer to receive services within their homes.
Applicants must meet monthly income and asset requirements. Asset limits are $2,000
per person and $4,000 per couple.
TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED WAIVER
The Alabama Technology Assisted (TA) waiver helps individuals aged 21 and older
receive skilled nursing through a private-duty nurse instead of an institution. The waiver
pays for services such as assistive technologies, case management, personal care and
attendant services and private-duty nursing.
How to Apply
To sign up for the TA waiver, contact any Medicaid local oce or call (800) 362-1504.
Eligibility
Seniors may qualify for the waiver if they receive SSI, are eligible for regular Medicaid and
have income limits that are no greater than 300% of the federal poverty level.
Financial Assistance for Senior Living & Senior Care
HEALTH INSURANCE & PRESCRIPTION
DRUG COVERAGE FOR SENIORS
Seniors who require additional assistance in paying for health care costs, including
prescription medications, have several options. Government programs such as Medicaid
and Medicare help reduce out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits, hospital stays and therapy.
MEDICAID
Medicaid helps seniors with limited incomes receive health care coverage, including
prescription medications. The state administers this program under federal rules
and regulations, and the state and the federal government fund it. Medicaid pays for
services such as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, labs and X-rays, home care,
doctor visits, case management and physical, occupational and speech therapy.
How to Apply
To apply, create an account at Insure Alabama and submit an application. Individuals
may also call the Medicaid helpline at (800) 362-1504 or download and submit an
application at a local Medicaid oce. You can mail your application to:
Medicaid
P.O. Box 5624
Montgomery, AL 36103-5624.
Eligibility
Medicaid recipients must meet the state’s income and asset limits. Income limits
change yearly based on the federal poverty level. Regular Medicaid bases income limits
on family size. For a family of one, yearly income may not exceed $18,075. For couples,
this limit can’t exceed $24,353. Seniors with excessive income may use a Qualifying
Income Trust (QIT). A QIT is an established trust that places part of an individual’s
income into a trust bank account so that Medicaid may disregard the funds during the
eligibility process.
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
2022 Household Medicaid Income Limit
Household Size Maximum Yearly Income Level
1 $18,075
2 $24,353
3 $30,630
4 $36,908
5 $43,186
6 $49,463
7 $55,741
*For larger households, an additional $6,277 is added per year.
Asset limits apply to all applicants. For individuals, the asset limit is $2,000, and for
a couple, it is $3,000. Asset limits include bank balances, stocks, bonds, CDs, mutual
funds and real estate that isn’t the primary residence.
MEDICARE
Original Medicare consists of Part A, which covers services provided on an inpatient
basis, and Part B, which covers outpatient services. For example, Part A covers nursing
care provided during a hospital stay, while Part B covers things like doctor visits and
durable medical equipment.
How to Apply
To apply for Medicare online, visit the Social Security Administration website and ll
out the form. You can also apply by telephone or in person. Call (800) 772-1213 to speak
with a representative or use the online locator to nd a Social Security oce near you.
Eligibility
To receive Medicare benets, you must be at least 65 years old or have a qualifying
disability or end-stage renal disease. Everyone pays a premium for Part B, but you
may qualify for premium-free Part A coverage if you or your spouse worked and paid
Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
Original Medicare is managed by the federal government, but Medicare Advantage
Plans are sold by private insurance companies. Each plan must oer at least the same
amount of coverage as Original Medicare, but many insurers oer extra benets to
make their plans more attractive to consumers.
How to Apply
Use the Find a Medicare Plan tool on Medicare.gov to compare Medicare Advantage
Plans in your state. When you’re ready to enroll, call (800) 633-4227 or contact the plan
provider directly.
Eligibility
If you’re eligible for Original Medicare, you are likely eligible for Medicare Advantage;
however, conrm eligibility requirements with the plan provider.
MEDICARE PART D
Original Medicare doesn’t cover most prescription drugs, so you may want to enroll
in Medicare Part D, a supplemental plan that pays for a wide range of medications.
Each plan has a formulary that explains how much coverage is provided for each type
of drug. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage, and you
can’t enroll in Medicare Part D if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan that pays for
prescription medications.
How to Apply
Use the Find a Medicare Plan tool on Medicare.gov to nd a plan that meets your needs.
When you’re ready to enroll, contact the plan directly for instructions on applying for
coverage.
Eligibility
To qualify for Medicare Part D, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare
Part B (Original Medicare) or one of the few Medicare Advantage Plans that doesn’t
cover prescription drugs.
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS
Alabama oers four Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) listed below that help seniors
cover the cost of premiums, deductibles, prescription drug costs and copays.
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
• Qualied Medicare Beneciary Program: This MSP helps pay for Medicare Part A/
Part B premiums, Part A/Part B deductibles and Part A/Part B coinsurance.
• Specied Low-Income Medicare Beneciary: The SLMB program helps pay Medicare
Part B premiums.
• Qualied Individual: The QI program also helps participants pay their Medicare Part
B premiums, but it has higher income limits than the QMB and SLMB programs.
• Qualied Disabled Working Individual: This MSP pays Medicare Part A premiums for
participants who lost their Medicare and Social Security disability benets because
they returned to work and earned more than the allowable limit.
How to Apply
To apply for the QMB, SLMB or QI Medicare Savings Programs, download an application
and submit it to any local Medicaid oce. You may also look up the address and apply in
person or contact the oce directly by phone. To apply for the QDWI program, contact
your local Department of Health and Human Services oce or call (800) 633-4227.
Eligibility
Seniors eligible for Alabama MSP must meet monthly income and asset requirements.
Additional eligibility criteria include:
• Must qualify for Medicaid Part A and B
• Resident of Alabama
• Citizen of the United States
Program
Single Income
Limits
Married Income
Limits
Single Asset
Limits
Married Asset
Limits
Qualied Medicare
Beneciary
$1,084 $1,743 N/A N/A
Specied Low-
Income Medicare
Beneciary
$1.296 $1,743 N/A N/A
Qualied Individual $1,436 $1.940 N/A N/A
Qualied Disabled
Working Individual
$4,339 $5,833 $4,000 $6,000
Health Insurance & Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors
Cash assistance programs help pay for expenses not covered by health insurance, senior
living programs and other forms of aid. These benets can be used to pay for toiletries,
public transportation, utilities and other necessities.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Social Security is a source of income available to retirees and people who can no longer
work because of a disability. The money for Social Security comes from a payroll tax
levied on employers, employees and self-employed individuals. When you retire, you’ll
receive monthly payments based on how much you earned when you were working.
How to Apply
To apply online, visit the Social Security website and ll out the application. You can also
call (800) 772-1213.
Eligibility
To qualify for Social Security, you must earn at least 40 Social Security credits in your
lifetime. Working and paying your portion of the Social Security payroll tax helps you
earn these credits.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME
Supplemental Security Income is a tax-funded program that provides monthly
payments to help aged, blind and disabled people meet their basic needs.
How to Apply
To apply for SSI, ll out the online application, call (800) 772-1213 or visit your local
Social Security oce.
CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
FOR SENIORS
Cash Assistance Programs for Seniors
Eligibility
SSI has the following eligibility requirements:
Basic Requirements Aged 65, blind or disabled.
Citizenship U.S. citizen, U.S. national or resident alien.
Countable Resources $2,000 for individuals/$3,000 for married couples.
Income Countable income can’t exceed the federal benet rate.
Cash Assistance Programs for Seniors
