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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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Utah · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you are getting older in Utah and worried about affording care, please take a deep breath. You have options, and there are people across the state whose whole job is to help seniors — for free.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-800-541-7735Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from Utah's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (Senior Health Insurance Information Program).
Maybe you only qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, and paid assisted living is out of reach. That is okay. This page points you toward help that costs nothing: the counselors who explain your Medicare, the programs that can pay for care in your own home, and the folks who will help you apply for benefits without charging you anything.
You do not need to understand it all today. Start with one call below, and let a caring person guide you to the next step.
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 would rather stay in their own home as long as they safely can. Utah Medicaid helps make that possible through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.
To ask whether you qualify, call your local Area Agency on Aging (dial 211 to connect) or Utah Medicaid Member Services.
Utah Medicaid is run by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, with applications handled by the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). For older adults, it can cover medical care, prescriptions, and long-term care — both in nursing homes and through in-home services.
Eligibility is based mainly on your income and assets. The limits change each year, and there are special rules for people who need long-term care and for married couples. Please don't rule yourself out based on a guess — let them check. Many people qualify who assumed they earned too much.
Apply for Utah Medicaid online at medicaid.utah.gov or jobs.utah.gov, or apply by phone through DWS.
For help with a benefit you already have.
If you're on Medicare
If Medicare feels expensive, this section could put money back in your pocket.
Apply for Medicare Savings Programs through Utah Medicaid / DWS.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
Utah SHIP can help you apply for either program, for free.
Utah SHIP (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, also called the Senior Health Insurance Information Program) offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling from trained counselors who do not sell insurance.
They can help you understand your Medicare and drug-plan choices, compare plans during Open Enrollment, apply for programs that lower your costs, and solve billing and coverage problems.
Completely free Medicare counseling from trained volunteers.
Everyday essentials
Helps pay for groceries. Apply through DWS at jobs.utah.gov or by phone.
Home-delivered meals & senior dining (Meals on Wheels)
Many communities offer home-delivered meals and senior dining sites — ask your local Area Agency on Aging (dial 211).
Utah Food Bank
Utah Food Bank and its partner pantries provide free groceries statewide, including senior programs.
Dial 211 to find a food pantry near you today.
Help with rent, utilities, and finding affordable housing.
Local public housing authority
Contact your local public housing authority about senior and low-income housing.
Area Agency on Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you to housing and home-repair programs.
Lists housing resources by area.
Guidance & protection
Utah has 12 Area Agencies on Aging covering the whole state. They provide free help with meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home services, and more.
Dial 211 and ask to be connected to your local Area Agency on Aging.
A free national service that can also connect you to your local Area Agency on Aging.
Utah Aging & Adult Services
Find your local Area Agency on Aging through the state Aging & Adult Services division.
Provides free civil legal aid to low-income Utahns, including help with benefits, housing, and consumer issues, with special services for seniors.
For nursing-home or assisted-living concerns, contact the Ombudsman below. Dial 211 or ask your Area Agency on Aging to connect you with the right legal-aid resource.
If you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted-living community and something is wrong — poor care, mistreatment, or a question about resident rights — the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is your free advocate.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen work for the resident, not the facility, and your call can be confidential. You can also reach your local ombudsman through your Area Agency on Aging (dial 211).
National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
Additional help and information related to long-term care ombudsman services.
A real person helps you find food, housing, health, and senior services near you.
Connects you to trusted local help for older adults.
Make one call. Dial 211 or call Utah SHIP (1-800-541-7735). Explain your situation in plain words.
Call for free1-800-541-7735It is the state's health-coverage program for people with low income and limited assets. For seniors, it can cover medical care, prescriptions, and long-term care at home or in a nursing facility — often filling gaps Medicare leaves.
Usually not. Medicare does not cover room and board in assisted living. Utah Medicaid, through its waivers, may help pay for certain care services. Call 1-866-608-9422 to explore your options.
Yes. Nearly everything here is meant for people on a fixed or limited income, and most of it is free. A tight budget is a reason to call, not a reason to hold back.
Yes. Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium (around $185/month) if you qualify. Call DWS (1-866-435-7414), or let Utah SHIP (1-800-541-7735) help you apply.
Care at home means getting daily help while staying in your own place — often through the Aging Waiver. A nursing home offers around-the-clock care. Utah Medicaid can help pay for either, based on your needs.
Yes. Utah SHIP, your Area Agency on Aging, Utah Legal Services, and 211 all help for free. You should never have to pay to learn what you qualify for.
Asking for help is not a weakness — it is a wise, loving step to take for yourself or someone you care about. The people behind these numbers help Utah families every day, and they will be glad to hear from you. Pick one number and make that first 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.