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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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Washington · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you or someone you love needs care in Washington but money is tight, you're in the right place. This page is for people who qualify for Medicare or Apple Health (Washington's Medicaid) and need help finding care and support they can actually afford.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-855-567-0252Washington's free “one-stop” help line for aging and long-term care. Real people help you find in-home care, meals, transportation, caregiver support, and figure out what you qualify for. This is the best place to start.
Everything listed here is free to contact — these are state programs, local nonprofits, and volunteer counselors whose whole job is to help older adults and people with disabilities. You don’t need to buy anything, and you don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Take a breath. Below you'll find the right phone numbers, what each one does, and a simple first step to take 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
Washington has some of the strongest programs in the country for helping people get care at home or in the community instead of a nursing home. Through Apple Health, these include:
They'll walk you through your options step by step.
Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington. For older adults and people with disabilities, it can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and — importantly — long-term care such as in-home personal care, adult day health, and assisted living or nursing home care.
Eligibility is based mainly on income and resources, and the limits are higher for long-term care than many people expect — so it's worth applying even if you're unsure. (Income and asset limits change each year, so please call to check your specific situation rather than counting yourself out.)
Call DSHS or apply online for Apple Health long-term care and in-home services.
Apply for standard Apple Health coverage online or by phone.
For help with a benefit you already have.
PACE provides all-in-one medical care, prescriptions, therapy, meals, activities, and transportation — coordinated by one team — so older adults can keep living at home instead of moving to a nursing home. For those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, it’s often available at little or no cost.
In Washington, PACE is offered by Providence ElderPlace in the Seattle and Snohomish County areas.
Call to check availability, or search “PACE” on the DSHS site to learn more.
If you're on Medicare
If your income is limited, you may qualify for programs that pay your Medicare premiums and cut your out-of-pocket costs — and many people who qualify never sign up simply because no one told them.
DSHS handles Medicare Savings Program applications for Washington.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
A SHIBA counselor can check which programs you qualify for — free.
SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) offers free, unbiased, confidential Medicare help from trained volunteers through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. They don’t sell insurance and they don’t work on commission.
They can help you understand the parts of Medicare, compare plans during open enrollment, enroll in programs that lower your costs, and appeal a coverage or payment decision.
Reach a SHIBA counselor Monday through Friday, or search “SHIBA” on the site.
Everyday essentials
Washington's food benefit program. Apply online or by phone — seniors often qualify even on a fixed income.
Free or low-cost meals delivered to your home or served at community sites. Ask Community Living Connections for the program near you.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Seasonal vouchers for fresh produce for income-eligible seniors — ask your Area Agency on Aging.
If you’re struggling to afford housing or need senior or subsidized options, start with one of these — they can point you to affordable senior housing, rent and utility assistance, and weatherization help in your area.
Help finding affordable senior housing and utility or rent assistance.
Dial 211 for housing, rent, and utility help in your area.
Guidance & protection
Washington is served by a network of Area Agencies on Aging that provide meals, transportation, family caregiver support, benefits screening, and case management for people 60 and older. You don’t need to know which agency covers your county — the statewide Community Living Connections line will connect you to your local one.
One call connects you to the agency that serves your county.
Free legal help for older Washingtonians on issues like benefits denials, housing, debt, and consumer problems.
Free legal help for low-income Washingtonians under 60.
These lines are run by the Northwest Justice Project. If you’ve been denied a benefit you think you qualify for, they can help.
If you or a loved one is already living in a nursing home, assisted living, or adult family home and something isn’t right — care concerns, rights, billing — a Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate who works on the resident’s behalf.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities.
Dial 211 for help with almost any need: food, housing, utilities, transportation, and more.
A free national service that connects older adults and caregivers to local services anywhere in the U.S.
Call Community Living Connections at 1-855-567-0252. Tell them what’s going on (“I need help caring for my mom,” or “I can’t afford my medications”). They’ll help you figure out what you qualify for and connect you locally.
Call for free1-855-567-0252Apple Health is the name for Medicaid in Washington State. It provides free or low-cost health coverage — including long-term care like in-home help and assisted living — to residents with limited income and resources.
Generally, no. Medicare covers medical care but not most long-term care. Apple Health (Medicaid) is the program that can help pay for in-home caregivers, assisted living, and nursing home care for those who qualify.
Very likely yes. Many seniors on Social Security qualify for Apple Health, food benefits, and Medicare Savings Programs. Because the limits change each year and are higher for long-term care than people expect, it’s worth calling 1-877-501-2233 to check rather than assuming you won’t qualify.
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through DSHS at 1-877-501-2233. These programs can pay your Part B premium and, at some levels, your deductibles and copays. SHIBA (1-800-562-6900) can help you apply for free.
In most cases, yes. Washington's Community First Choice and COPES programs are designed to help people get care at home or in assisted living. Call Community Living Connections at 1-855-567-0252 to learn what you qualify for.
Yes. Community Living Connections (1-855-567-0252) and SHIBA (1-800-562-6900) both offer free, no-pressure help. You will never be charged to talk to them.
You've worked hard your whole life, and asking for help now isn’t giving up — it’s using resources you’re entitled to. Every program on this page exists to support you, and every call is free.
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.