Volunteer Chore Services
WA DSHS HCLA
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Volunteer Chore Services connects low-income adults with volunteers who help with everyday tasks at home. It is intended to fill the gap for people who can't afford private in-home help but don't meet the financial or functional thresholds for Medicaid-funded long-term care.
Who qualifies
What it covers
Cost
How to apply
Where to get this in Washington
10 organizations deliver this program. Coverage varies, so check the area each one serves.
East Wenatchee, Adams County
Free public agency that helps older adults and people with disabilities in central Washington find in-home care, caregiver support, nutrition, transportation, and benefits help.
Vancouver, Clark County
Free public AAA for the Vancouver/Longview area covering five counties; one stop for caregiver assistance, dementia resources, in-home help, kinship care, Medicare counseling, and WA Cares Fund support.
Camano Island, Island County
Senior center in Camano Island, Island County. Senior centers are the most-underrated stay-home resource. Most are free or donation-based, with classes, fitness, lunch, and social activity. Operated by Camano Center.
Clallam County
Statewide social-services nonprofit running senior services, home care, meals, transportation and volunteer programs across western Washington counties.
Sequim, Clallam County
Jamestown S'Klallam tribal services in Blyn including monthly elders luncheons, annual elders gathering, case management, and ICW.
Auburn, King County
Tribal senior center at the Muckleshoot Elders Complex in Auburn, with daily meals, transportation, chore help, and cultural activities for elders 50 and older.
Bellingham, Island County
AAA for Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. Helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers navigate aging and disability services since 1971.
La Push, Clallam County
Senior center in La Push, Clallam County. Senior centers are the most-underrated stay-home resource. Most are free or donation-based, with classes, fitness, lunch, and social activity. Operated by Quileute Tribe.
Everett, Snohomish County
Snohomish County's AAA. Partners with Homage to deliver caregiver support, nutrition, kinship care, transportation, and Medicaid in-home services.
Vashon, King County
Vashon Senior Center with hot lunches three days a week, 20+ classes, in-home social work, and the Senior Center Village rides and chore program.
Where to go from here
Adult Day Center
Adult day centers are daytime programs for adults who need some level of supervision and care but not skilled nursing or rehabilitative therapy. Services typically include personal care, social activities, education, routine health monitoring, therapeutic activities, meals and snacks, transportation coordination, first aid, and emergency care.
Adult Day Health
Adult day health is a daytime program for adults who need skilled nursing care or licensed rehabilitative therapy. Centers provide skilled nursing services, physical/occupational/speech-language therapy, brief psychological or counseling services, plus the personal care, meals, social activities, and health monitoring offered at adult day centers.
Apple Health Classic Medicaid (SSI-related / Aged, Blind, Disabled)
"Apple Health" is Washington's name for all of its state medical assistance programs, including Medicaid. "Classic Medicaid" is the part of Apple Health for people who are 65 or older, blind, disabled, or who need long-term care. These programs count your income the same way Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does, rather than using the tax-based rules that apply to younger adults and families. The state Health Care Authority runs most Apple Health programs. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) runs SSI-related coverage, the state-funded Medical Care Services program, and the Medicare Savings Programs that help pay Medicare costs. If you have both Medicare and Apple Health, Apple Health acts as your second layer of coverage and picks up costs Medicare does not, such as deductibles, copays, hearing aids, and dental. It can also pay for long-term care.
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)
Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities lets working adults age 16 or older who are blind or disabled buy into Medicaid. It provides full Apple Health coverage. Unlike most disability-based Medicaid, it has no asset test and no upper income limit. You qualify based on your disability (using the federal disability rules) and being employed, full or part time, including self-employment. You pay a monthly premium that goes up with income but never goes above 7.5% of your total income. American Indians and Alaska Natives pay no premium. While you are enrolled, you can put earnings into a separate designated account that will not count toward your eligibility for other Medicaid programs.
Not sure this one fits your situation? Your local Area Agency on Aging can check what you qualify for and point you to the right programs, for free. No one will sell your information, and no one will cold-call you.
Source www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/services-help-adult-remain-hom
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