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Community Living Assistance Services and Support Program (The CLASS Act): Government Sponsored Long Term Care Insurance
Misperceptions about Long Term Care Programs
This section of the website focuses on programs on which there are misperceptions and confusion about the elder care benefits they provide. We include this information so families understand what programs are not relevant and do not extend their efforts pursuing them. One can search for other relevant programs that provide financial assistance or browse programs by name.
What is the CLASS Act?
UPDATE: Oct. 2011, the US Government made the decision to repeal the CLASS Act.
The CLASS Act, also referred to as the CLASS Program or more formally as the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, is a long term care insurance program created by the federal government and signed into law in March 2010. While a law has been passed, many details of the program have yet to emerge and the program is not expected to be active until 2012 or 2013. It is for this reason we included this program in the Misperceptions section of our website as it is not expected to provide assistance to families for long term care costs for several more years.
Like long term care insurance, program participants will be expected to pay monthly premiums for a number of years prior to receiving financial assistance from the program to pay for nursing home, assisted living and other forms of elder care.
Learn more about long term care insurance.
The CLASS Act, also referred to as the CLASS Program or more formally as the Community Living Assistance Services and Support (CLASS) Act, is a long term care insurance program created by the federal government and signed into law in March 2010. While a law has been passed, many details of the program have yet to emerge and the program is not expected to be active until 2012 or 2013. It is for this reason we included this program in the Misperceptions section of our website as it is not expected to provide assistance to families for long term care costs for several more years.
Like long term care insurance, program participants will be expected to pay monthly premiums for a number of years prior to receiving financial assistance from the program to pay for nursing home, assisted living and other forms of elder care.
Learn more about long term care insurance.
What are the Benefits of the CLASS Act Program?
The program will pay for care of qualified individuals up to $50 per day. The type of care and other costs considered acceptable by the program include nursing home, assisted living, home modifications to allow seniors to remain living at home and cash payouts for personal care and transportation assistance.
To be qualified for benefits, a program participant must have paid into the program for 5 years and require assistance with 2 or more Activities of Daily Living (or be cognitively impaired).
To be qualified for benefits, a program participant must have paid into the program for 5 years and require assistance with 2 or more Activities of Daily Living (or be cognitively impaired).
How Do I Enroll in the CLASS Act Program?
It is important to reiterate at this point that this program is still in development and one cannot enroll at this time. It is expected to begin in late 2012 or 2013. There is also the possibility the law will be repealed before it can take effect.
What Does the CLASS ACT Program Cost?
Expected premiums for the CLASS program can be as low as $5 / month for individuals living below the poverty line. For a middle-aged individual with average household income of approximately $50,000 / year the expected monthly premium is $125.
Use our Locator Tool to Find Other Options for which You're Eligible
