Financial Assistance for In-Home Care: A Comparison of Washington State vs. Oregon

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care: A Comparison of Washington State vs. Oregon

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care A Comparison of Washington State vs. Oregon

In-home care plays a crucial role in helping seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions maintain their independence while receiving the necessary support to live safely in their own homes. However, the cost of these services can be a barrier for many families. Fortunately, both Washington and Oregon offer a variety of financial assistance programs designed to help individuals access in-home care services. While there are similarities between the two states, there are also important differences in how each state administers financial aid for in-home care.

In this article, we’ll compare the various financial assistance options available for in-home care in Washington State and Oregon, highlighting the key programs in each state, eligibility requirements, and differences between them.

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in Washington State

Washington State has several programs available to support individuals who need in-home care services. These programs are generally intended for seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals with limited income. Some of the main financial assistance options are:

1. Medicaid Programs

Washington State provides several Medicaid-funded programs that help cover the costs of in-home care for those who qualify. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that assists low-income individuals with medical care, including long-term care services.

  • Community Options Program Entry System1 (COPES): COPES is one of Washington’s most widely used Medicaid programs for in-home care. It provides personal care services, such as help with dressing, bathing, meal preparation, and mobility. It also covers respite care for family caregivers. Eligibility is based on income and asset limits, as well as a clinical assessment of an individual’s care needs.
  • Medicaid Personal Care2 (MPC): MPC is available for individuals who qualify for Medicaid and require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and feeding. MPC allows individuals to receive care in their homes rather than in a nursing facility, helping them to maintain independence.
  • Developmental Disabilities Administration 3 (DDA): Washington’s DDA offers Medicaid-funded in-home care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Services include personal care, habilitation services, and respite care. The program is designed to support individuals living in their communities rather than institutional settings.

2. State-Only Programs

For individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid, Washington offers a limited number of state-funded programs to assist with in-home care costs.

  • The New Freedom Program4: The New Freedom Program provides financial assistance for people who need in-home care services but do not qualify for Medicaid. It helps with services such as personal care, homemaking, and respite care. This program is designed to allow individuals to remain in their homes and communities as they age.
  • State-Only Personal Care Services5: Washington also offers personal care services through state funding for individuals who do not meet the Medicaid eligibility criteria but still require assistance with basic daily activities.

3. Veterans Assistance

Veterans in Washington State may qualify for additional financial assistance through programs like the Veterans Administration (VA) Aid and Attendance Benefit6. This benefit provides veterans and surviving spouses with financial support to help cover in-home care services.

Financial Assistance for In-Home Care in Oregon

Oregon also offers several programs designed to assist individuals in accessing in-home care services. Similar to Washington, Oregon’s programs are aimed at helping seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited income. Below are some of the key programs available in Oregon:

1. Oregon Medicaid Programs

Oregon’s Medicaid program is known as Oregon Health Plan 7 (OHP) and offers various options for individuals needing in-home care.

  • Aging and People with Disabilities8 (APD) Services: Through the APD division, Oregon offers Medicaid-funded in-home care services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. These services include personal care assistance, homemaking, and respite care, similar to Washington’s COPES program. The program provides funding to help people remain in their homes and avoid institutional care. Eligibility is based on income, assets, and medical needs.
  • Community-Based Care 9 (CBC) Programs: Oregon provides community-based care programs that offer a range of services to help individuals live independently. These services can include personal care, housekeeping, and medical assistance. Eligibility is based on a ne
  • eds assessment and financial criteria.
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities10 (IDD) Waiver: Oregon’s IDD waiver offers home and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities. It includes in-home personal care services, respite care, and habilitation services that help individuals live independently and improve their quality of life.

2. Oregon’s Senior and Disabled Services11 (SDS)

Oregon’s Senior and Disabled Services (SDS) program provides financial assistance for in-home care services for those who are elderly or have physical disabilities. This program is available to both Medicaid recipients and individuals who may not meet the strict Medicaid eligibility requirements but still need support for daily living.

3. State-Only Programs

Oregon also offers state-funded programs to assist people who are not eligible for Medicaid.

  • Oregon Project Independence11 (OPI): OPI is a state-funded program that helps pay for in-home care services for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living but do not qualify for Medicaid. It is available to people aged 60 and older and provides services such as personal care and homemaking.

4. Veterans Benefits

Like Washington, Oregon offers the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit12 to veterans and surviving spouses who need assistance with daily living activities. This benefit helps cover the cost of in-home care services for eligible individuals.

Conclusion

Both Washington and Oregon offer financial assistance options for in-home care, helping individuals to receive necessary support while remaining in the comfort of their homes. While the two states share some common programs, such as Medicaid-based in-home care, each state also has unique state-funded programs that help individuals who do not meet Medicaid eligibility criteria. Washington offers more state-only programs like New Freedom, while Oregon provides key services like Oregon Project Independence (OPI) to help seniors.

For individuals seeking in-home care, it’s important to research the programs in the state of residence in order to determine which best meets their needs and financial situation. Families should also consult with local agencies or a care coordinator to better understand the eligibility criteria, available services, and how to apply for financial assistance in their area.

About Harlow Wealth Management

Harlow Wealth Management, Inc. is an independently owned and operated advisor. We serve clients living in the greater southwest Washington and Portland metropolitan areas, with an office in downtown Vancouver, Washington. While our firm was officially created in 2005, our founding president, Danny Harlow, has been serving the retirement financial planning needs of our community since 1973. We focus on helping those who are retired or about to retire by building a customized retirement strategy. Our proprietary approach, the “Harlow Way”, addresses the following 5 key areas: designing a sustainable retirement income strategy, addressing healthcare and long-term care risk, investments and growing your portfolio, taxes, and estate/legacy strategies.

References

  1. https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/washington-medicaid-copes-waiver/
  2. https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/washington-medicaid-personal-care/
  3. https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/consumers-and-families/home-and-community-based-waivers-hcbs
  4. https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/stakeholders/what-new-freedom-and-who-eligible
  5. https://www.dshs.wa.gov/dda/pc-res?
  6. https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
  7. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/index.aspx?
  8. https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/aging-disability-services/Pages/long-term-care.aspx?
  9. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/OHP/Pages/HCBS-Public.aspx?’
  10. https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/idd/Pages/waivers.aspx
  11. https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/home-care-consumers/Pages/default.aspx
  12. https://www.veteranaid.org/veterans-benefits-oregon/

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