Loading...
Free personalized senior living guidance for families
(858) 283-4504Loading...
Kansas · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you or someone you love is getting older in Kansas and money is tight, please take a breath. You are not out of options, and you are not alone. There is a whole network of free help in this state — for paying medical bills, getting care at home, buying groceries, and understanding Medicare. Most people never hear about these programs simply because no one told them where to look.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-855-200-2372Also reachable at 1-855-200-ADRC. This is your one-call starting line for Kansas. They help you understand long-term care options, in-home help, and what you may qualify for. Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
That's what this page is for. Everything listed here is free. You do not need to hire anyone or pay a "placement" fee to use these services. The people who answer these phones do this work because they want to help older Kansans stay safe, healthy, and independent.
Take it one call at a time. You don't have to figure it all out today.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Most people want to stay in their own home as long as possible. Kansas has a Medicaid program designed for exactly that: the HCBS Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver.
They'll explain eligibility and start the process.
KanCare generally does not pay the room-and-board rent portion of assisted living, but the FE waiver may cover the care services provided there. The ADRC can explain what's covered in your situation.
KanCare covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and — importantly for older adults — long-term care both in nursing facilities and at home.
To qualify as a senior, KanCare looks at your income and your assets. The limits are lower than many people expect, but there are special rules for married couples and for people who need long-term care, and certain things (like your home and one car) usually don't count against you. Income and asset limits change every year, so please don't assume you won't qualify — call and check. A quick phone call is worth it.
Call to apply for KanCare. TDD/TTY: 1-800-792-4292.
Online
Visit kancare.ks.gov and click "Apply for KanCare."
Ask the Clearinghouse to mail you an application, or get help from your local ADRC.
If your application feels confusing, that's normal. The ADRC and the SHICK counselors can walk you through it for free.
PACE is a wonderful option for people who qualify. It combines all your medical care, prescriptions, therapy, and social support into one program, often built around a day-center you can visit. Most people in PACE are covered by both Medicare and Medicaid and pay little or nothing.
Kansas PACE / Bluestem PACE
Serves parts of Kansas with all-in-one PACE care.
PACE isn't available everywhere in Kansas — call to check availability.
Find a PACE program (National PACE Association)
Search for PACE programs near you nationwide.
If you're on Medicare
If Medicare feels expensive, these two programs can help — and many people who qualify never apply.
Apply through KanCare for a Medicare Savings Program.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
SHICK can help you apply for both programs — free.
SHICK counselors give free, one-on-one, unbiased help with Medicare. They can explain the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, compare drug plans so you pay less at the pharmacy, help you sign up during open enrollment, and check whether you qualify for programs that lower your costs. They are volunteers and staff — not salespeople — so their only goal is helping you.
Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas — unbiased, one-on-one Medicare help.
Everyday essentials
Run by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). Puts money on a card each month to buy groceries.
Home-delivered and group meals are available through your Area Agency on Aging. Reach them through the ADRC.
If you're worried about rent, utilities, or staying safely in your home, start with the ADRC at 1-855-200-2372 or dial 211 (kansas211.org). They can point you toward senior housing, utility assistance, home repair help, and more.
Help finding senior housing, utility assistance, and home repair help.
Dial 211 for housing, rent, and utility help in your area.
Guidance & protection
Kansas is divided into regional Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and each one offers services like Meals on Wheels, caregiver support, transportation help, and benefits counseling for people 60 and older. The easiest way to reach yours is through the ADRC at 1-855-200-2372 — they’ll connect you to the right local office. You can also use the national Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find your area agency.
One call connects you to the agency that serves your area.
Older Kansans can get free legal help on issues like Medicaid denials, housing, consumer problems, and elder abuse. Under the Older Americans Act, each Area Agency on Aging funds free legal services for people 60 and older.
Ask the ADRC to connect you to free legal services funded under the Older Americans Act.
Dial 211 for a referral to legal aid in your county.
If you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living and something isn't right, the Kansas Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is your free advocate. They help resolve complaints about care, dignity, and residents' rights — confidentially and at no cost.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities.
For KanCare-specific problems.
Consumer Voice
Additional help and information for long-term care residents and families.
A free, statewide help line for any situation.
A national service that connects you to trusted local aging resources.
Call the ADRC at 1-855-200-2372. Tell them what's going on — needing care at home, help with bills, or just questions. They'll guide you.
Call for free1-855-200-2372KanCare is the name of Kansas’s Medicaid program. It provides health coverage — including long-term care — for people with limited income and resources.
Generally, no. Medicare covers short-term, medically necessary care but not ongoing long-term care. That's where KanCare and the HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver come in.
Very possibly. Many people on Social Security qualify for KanCare or for the Medicare Savings Programs. Income and asset limits change yearly, so call 1-800-792-4884 and check rather than assuming.
Ask about the Medicare Savings Programs through KanCare (1-800-792-4884) and Extra Help through Social Security (1-800-772-1213). SHICK (1-800-860-5260) can help you apply.
Yes — that's exactly what the HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver is designed for. Call the ADRC at 1-855-200-2372 to start.
Yes. The ADRC (1-855-200-2372), SHICK (1-800-860-5260), and 211 are all free. You never have to pay to get guidance.
Asking for help is not a weakness — it's a smart, loving thing to do, whether you're doing it for yourself or a parent. The people on the other end of these phone lines want to help. Start with one call today.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn’t legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.