Page Reviewed / Updated – April 14, 2009

This chart compares the benefits and coverage areas offered by the major government assistance programs and certain non-governmental options as they relate to location in which care is provided.  Benefits may come in the form of cash, reduced costs or in terms of care services covered. Be aware that generalizations have been made in the interest of providing comparisons at a glance and that state specific programs are not included here.

Comparison Chart of Long Term Senior Care Benefits and Coverage

Government Options

Cash 
Benefits

Reduced 
Payments

At Home 
Care

Adult Day 
Care

Assisted 
Living

Skilled 
Nursing

Social Security

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Supplemental Security Income

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

SSI State Supplements

Some

No

No

No

Some

No

Survivors’ Benefits

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Medicaid Nursing Home Care

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Medicaid HCBS Waivers

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Medicaid State Plan HCBS

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

PACE Programs

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Medicare Savings Programs

No

Yes

No

No

No

Some

Government Housing

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Cash & Counseling

Yes

No

Yes

Some

Some

No

LIHEAP – Aid for Energy Cost

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Lifespan Respite Care

No

Yes

Yes

Some

No

No

Medical Expense Tax Deductions

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Elderly and Disabled Tax Credit

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Federal Elderly Care Tax Credit

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

State Elderly Care Tax Credit

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

Veterans Options

Cash 
Benefits

Reduced 
Payments

At Home
Care

Adult Day 
Care

Assisted 
Living

Skilled 
Nursing

VA Pensions

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

VA Health Care

Some

Yes

Some

Some

Some

Some

CHAMPVA for Life

No

Yes

No

No

No

Some

TRICARE for Life

No

Yes

No

No

No

Some

VA Respite Care

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

VD-HCBS

No

No

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Insurance Options

Cash 
Benefits

Reduced 
Payments

At Home
Care

Adult Day 
Care

Assisted 
Living

Skilled 
Nursing

Medicare

No

No

Some

No

No

Some

Medigap

No

Yes

Some

No

No

Some

Other Health Insurance

No

No

Some

No

No

Some

Life Settlements

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Accelerated Death Benefits

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Death Benefit Loans

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Viatical Settlements

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Long Term Care Insurance

Yes

Depends

Depends

Depends

Depends

Depends

Personal Options

Cash 
Benefits

Reduced 
Payments

At Home 
Care

Adult Day 
Care

Assisted 
Living

Skilled 
Nursing

Senior Care Loans

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Reverse Mortgages

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Unison HomeOwner

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Home Equity Lines of Credit

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Non-Profits and Foundations

Cash 
Benefits

Reduced 
Payments

At Home
Care

Adult Day 
Care

Assisted 
Living

Skilled 
Nursing

Alzheimer’s Respite Care

No

Yes

Some

Some

No

No

NFCSP Respite Care

No

Yes

Some

Some

No

No

Leukemia & Lymphoma Aid

Some

Some

No

No

No

No

CFAC: Cancer Assistance

Some

Some

No

No

No

No

Cancer Co-Pay Assistance

Some

Some

No

No

No

No

Financial Aid for Kidney Patients

Some

Some

No

No

No

No

 

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