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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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West Virginia · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you're an older West Virginian — or the son or daughter of one — trying to find care when the money just isn't there, take a deep breath. Help exists, and much of it is completely free. This page is for seniors who have Medicare, Medicaid, or both, and who can't afford to pay privately for senior living.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-877-716-1212The official line to apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare premium help. You can also apply online at wvpath.wv.gov.
Families call us worried and worn out all the time. Maybe a parent needs help getting through the day. Maybe a fixed income doesn't stretch the way it used to. Whatever brought you here, the programs below are run or funded by the state and by trusted nonprofits, and they're here for exactly this.
You don't have to solve everything today. One phone call is a good day's work.
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
Here's something many families don't know: Medicaid can help pay for care in your own home, not just in a nursing home. West Virginia does this through the Aged & Disabled Waiver (ADW).
Call, or contact your local Area Agency on Aging, and ask specifically about the Aged & Disabled Waiver. There can be a waiting list, so apply early.
West Virginia's program is simply called WV Medicaid. Most members who don't need long-term care get their coverage through managed care plans under Mountain Health Trust. Medicaid covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and long-term care — both in nursing facilities and, through a waiver, at home.
Who qualifies? It depends on your income, your assets, and your care needs. People who are 65+ or who need long-term care have special rules that often let you keep more income and savings than you'd guess. These limits change every year, so please don't rule yourself out — call and check.
Call, apply online through the PATH portal, or visit your local DoHS office. If you're applying because you need long-term care, say so at the start.
If you're on Medicare
If you have Medicare and a modest income, don't skip this part.
Apply through the WV Department of Human Services or on wvpath.wv.gov, or ask WV SHIP to help.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
WV SHIP counselors can check all of these programs for you — free.
The West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (WV SHIP), run through the Bureau of Senior Services, gives free one-on-one Medicare help from trained counselors who don't sell insurance. They can compare drug plans, sort out a bill, help with an appeal, and check whether you qualify for programs that lower your costs.
Reach a WV SHIP counselor for free, unbiased Medicare help.
Everyday essentials
Food stamps help buy groceries. Apply online at wvpath.wv.gov or by calling.
Run by your Area Agency on Aging and county senior centers. Reach them through the Bureau of Senior Services or the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116).
Dial 211 for local food pantries.
If rent is hard or your home isn't safe anymore, there's help.
Your Area Agency on Aging can connect you to senior housing, home repair and weatherization, and help with energy bills (the LIEAP program).
Dial 211 for local housing options.
If you're facing eviction, the legal help below can step in.
Guidance & protection
West Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging and county senior centers are your local hub for help: home-delivered meals, senior center meals, rides, in-home aides, and caregiver support. The best way in is through the Bureau of Senior Services.
Also reachable at 304-558-3317. One call connects you to the agency that serves your county.
You can also call to reach your local Area Agency on Aging.
Serves West Virginia residents age 60 and older statewide with matters like public benefits, Medicaid problems, powers of attorney, and consumer issues.
Free legal help for a broader range of civil legal problems — housing, family, benefits.
Call if you suspect an older adult is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited. Available around the clock.
If you or a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility and something is wrong, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free advocate who works for the resident. They help resolve complaints about care, dignity, and rights. In West Virginia the program is run by Legal Aid of West Virginia.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities.
National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
A national locator for long-term care ombudsman programs.
Dial 211 for a real person who knows West Virginia resources.
A free national service that connects older adults and caregivers to your local Area Agency on Aging.
Call 1-877-716-1212 (or go to wvpath.wv.gov) to start a Medicaid application.
Call for free1-877-716-1212WV Medicaid is the state's Medicaid program for people with limited income and resources. Mountain Health Trust is the managed-care system many members use to get their Medicaid benefits.
No. Medicare does not pay for room and board in assisted living. Medicaid's Aged & Disabled Waiver can pay for care services at home, which helps many people avoid a facility.
Yes. These programs are built for people living on Social Security or a small pension. A single phone call is the best way to find out what you qualify for.
Yes. The QMB Medicare Savings Program can pay your Part B premium (about $185/month) plus deductibles and copays. Apply through the WV Department of Human Services or ask WV SHIP.
Care at home brings aides and services to you through the Aged & Disabled Waiver so you can stay in your own place. A nursing home provides 24-hour care and is covered by Medicaid when medically needed. Your Area Agency on Aging can help you decide.
Yes. WV SHIP (1-877-987-4463), your Area Agency on Aging (1-877-987-3646), and WV Senior Legal Aid (1-800-229-5068) are all free.
Looking for help is the hardest step, and you've taken it. Please make one call today and let a real person guide you the rest of the way. These programs exist because West Virginia wants its older neighbors cared for with dignity.
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.