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West Virginia's Lighthouse Program
Overview of the Lighthouse Program
West Virginia's Lighthouse Program was created to provide services to seniors that require assistance with the activities and instrumental activities of daily living but do not qualify for assistance from Medicaid. The program is funded by the state and managed at the county level. The Lighthouse Program provides four areas of support to the elderly (ages 60+) in their homes: personal care services, mobility assistance, nutrition and housekeeping / chore services.
The Lighthouse Program works as follows; a Plan of Care is developed by a medical professional and county caseworker in which the specific tasks and frequency of assistance is determined. Each activity with which the participant requires assistance is determined and the number of care hours per month is calculated, up to a maximum of 60 hours/ month. Caregivers are hired by the county and receive training. It is worth noting that certain family members of the individual in need of care can be hired to provide care services. Spouses are excluded from being paid caregivers but the adult children are not. This model of paying a family caregiver is sometimes referred to as Cash and Counseling.
There are other programs available in West Virginia for the elderly and disabled such as the Ron Yost Program and the FAIR Program.
There are other programs available in West Virginia for the elderly and disabled such as the Ron Yost Program and the FAIR Program.
Qualifications for the Lighthouse Program
To qualify for the Lighthouse Program, participants must meet the following criteria:
-Be a West Virginia resident of at least 60 years of age
-Require significant assistance with at least 2 of their activities of daily living as determined by a medical evaluation
-Strictly speaking, there are not financial limits for participation in the Lighthouse Program however one's income level determines the amount of financial assistance they receive. Individuals with incomes greatly than approximately $55,000 year can participate in the program but do not receive financial assistance.
-Individuals cannot also be receiving assistance from Medicaid
-Be a West Virginia resident of at least 60 years of age
-Require significant assistance with at least 2 of their activities of daily living as determined by a medical evaluation
-Strictly speaking, there are not financial limits for participation in the Lighthouse Program however one's income level determines the amount of financial assistance they receive. Individuals with incomes greatly than approximately $55,000 year can participate in the program but do not receive financial assistance.
-Individuals cannot also be receiving assistance from Medicaid
Benefits / Services of the Lighthouse Program
The Lighthouse Program provides up to a maximum of 60 hours of assistance each month in the following four areas.
1. Assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing and toileting
2. Mobility assistance such as walking or transferring oneself from lying or sitting to standing
3. Nutritional assistance which includes activities such as meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation
4. Chore and homemaker services such as housekeeping, laundry and yardwork.
The cost of services are determined on a sliding scale based on the annual income of the individual receiving care. Hourly fees charged to the individual range from $1 - $16. Their assets or household incomes are not considered factors, just their individual income.
1. Assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing and toileting
2. Mobility assistance such as walking or transferring oneself from lying or sitting to standing
3. Nutritional assistance which includes activities such as meal planning, grocery shopping and food preparation
4. Chore and homemaker services such as housekeeping, laundry and yardwork.
The cost of services are determined on a sliding scale based on the annual income of the individual receiving care. Hourly fees charged to the individual range from $1 - $16. Their assets or household incomes are not considered factors, just their individual income.
| Annual Income | Hourly Rate |
| $20,220 and under | $1 |
| Up to $25,220 | $2 |
| Up to $30,220 | $4 |
| Up to $35,220 | $6 |
| Up to $40,220 | $8 |
| Up to $45,220 | $10 |
| Up to $50,220 | $12 |
| Up to $55,220 | $14 |
| Over $55,220 | $16 |
How to Apply for the Lighthouse Program
To learn more about the Lighthouse Program visit their webpage or to apply contact your local County Aging Provider.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
