Senior Living Apartments in Cincinnati, OH

Private pay methods can include any source of income you have. Even if you’re retired and no longer receive a paycheck, you may have income in the form of savings, Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, or any of the following:

If you’re a U.S. military veteran, you may be able to receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which can help you pay for rent in a senior apartment, as well as other costs of living. Veterans benefits, such as Aid and Attendance, are designed to provide senior veterans and their surviving spouses with supplemental income to improve their quality of life.^[03]

Veterans service officers

Applying for veterans benefits can be a difficult process. Even if you’re eligible, any mistakes in the application process could cause you to be denied benefits. This is why successfully applying usually requires assistance or advocacy.

By visiting one of the Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs field offices, you can seek assistance and referrals from your area veteran service officers. As fellow veterans who are trained and certified in benefits offerings, veteran services officers are there to help Ohio senior veterans get the most out of their eligibility.

Additional assistance with VA benefits

You can visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services webpage or contact the local VA office for assistance with finding veterans benefits support. The Ohio Attorney General website offers information on additional community resources for veterans, including financial support, legal advocacy, housing assistance, and more.

Each state has veterans service organizations (VSOs) overseen by the VA, where veterans can receive support. You can also visit your local Veterans of Foreign Wars office or Disabled American Veterans office. Find information on Cincinnati VSOs and other resources below.

Medicaid is federal- and state-funded medical insurance for Americans with disabilities or low incomes. While each state’s Medicaid program varies, all Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines. Medicaid in Ohio and Kentucky are simply referred to as Ohio Medicaid and Kentucky Medicaid. To receive Medicaid benefits, you must be enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO), and the agency providing the care services must be contracted with that MCO.

Medicaid programs will not cover the cost of rent in a senior living community. However, Ohio and Kentucky residents in senior apartments may be able to receive financial support with care services through home and community based services waivers, which are offered by both states’ Medicaid programs.

Ohio PASSPORT waivers

The Ohio PASSPORT waiver is designed to cover care for people who need a nursing facility level of care but choose to live in the community instead of in a skilled nursing facility. This home and community based services waiver is for Ohio residents age 60 and over. Eligible seniors can use this waiver to cover the cost of care in their own home, senior apartment, or other senior living facility instead of moving into a skilled nursing facility.

The PASSPORT waiver can cover costs of care needs such as the following:

• Personal care, such as assistance with activities of daily living, housekeeping, and meal preparation
• Nutritional guidance and meal delivery
• Adult day services
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Medical equipment

PASSPORT waivers also include basic Medicaid coverage and may cover costs such as prescription medications, physician visits, and hospital stays.^[04]

Kentucky home and community based waiver

Kentucky Medicaid also offers a home and community based (HCB) waiver, which seniors in Kentucky can take advantage of. Kentucky’s HCB waiver can cover the costs of services such as the following:

• Adult day support
• Personal care
• Simple home modifications
• Meal services
• Respite care

Similarly to Ohio’s HCBS waivers, Kentucky Medicaid HCB waivers have certain eligibility requirements. To qualify, Kentucky residents must be age 65 or older or have a qualifying disability, they must meet basic Medicaid eligibility requirements, and they must require a nursing facility level of care.^[05]

Where to get more assistance

Ohio residents can manage their care through the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Member Portal. The Ohio Department of Aging has several Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) where Ohio residents can receive additional support with Medicare, Medicaid, and other services. You can also reach out to a long-term care ombudsman for advice and advocacy on your rights as a resident in senior living.

Kentucky residents can use the Kynect website to find out more about Medicaid benefits eligibility and access their benefits. Residents also have their own Area Agencies on Aging, ombudsman advocacy, and more.

Medicare is a federally funded program designed to extend health coverage to Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. As a federal program, Medicare requirements will be the same in both Ohio and Kentucky. Medicare has multiple parts that cover different aspects of health care such as the following:

• Inpatient hospital stays or skilled nursing care
• Doctors’ services, medical services, and medical supplies
• Prescription medications

Medicare is a form of health insurance, so it won’t cover the cost of rent in a senior apartment. However, it can be used to cover medically necessary in-home care and care for short-term medical conditions. You can find more information on Medicare costs and coverage by visiting the federal Medicare website or by reaching out to one of your local Social Security Administration offices. Qualified seniors may get help paying for Medicare deductibles and premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.

The Social Security Administration can help you receive access to Medicare support if you are eligible. You may be able to dual enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable you to pay Medicare premiums using Medicaid benefits. A local long-term care ombudsman can help you access the benefits you’re eligible for and advocate for your rights. A long-term care ombudsman can also investigate complaints of residents of long-term care and help ensure that seniors receive the quality of care they deserve. Find links to these resources below.

Lower-income residents can apply for assistance from the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, including the Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher. The Housing Choice Voucher is designed to make quality housing available to lower-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Not all senior apartment communities accept Section 8 vouchers, so if you intend to use this voucher to help cover your rent, make sure the community is compatible.

Social Security benefits such as the following may be another way for seniors to offset the cost of rent:

• Social Security in retirement (also known as Social Security Retirement benefit/SSR) is intended to replace a portion of your income when you retire.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an assistance program for individuals who have a work history but who are unable to continue working because of a qualifying disability.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an assistance program for individuals who have no work history and are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
• Social Security survivors pension is an assistance program for dependents, such as a spouse or children, of a deceased person who qualified for social security benefits.

To qualify for SSDI, you must have eligibility for SSI as well as work history credits as defined by the Social Security Administration’s specific parameters. Depending on your eligibility and the community itself, social security benefits may help you cover rent in a senior apartment.