Mississippi Assisted Living Waiver

The Assisted Living Waiver pays for care in licensed assisted living for people 21 and older who need a nursing facility level of care. The resident pays room and board. This page is part of our Mississippi Long-Term Care Medicaid guide.

Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.

At a glance

The Assisted Living Waiver in brief

In short, the Assisted Living Waiver is run by Mississippi Division of Medicaid. It serves 21 and older, and the care requirement is: Needs a nursing facility level of care. Waiting list status in 2026: Yes. The sections below repeat these points with more detail, and our state guide covers the Mississippi rules that apply to every long-term care program. Other Mississippi programs, and general guides on care at home, are linked at the end of this page for comparison with the Assisted Living Waiver.

What the program is

The Assisted Living Waiver pays a licensed assisted living facility that participates in the program for care services. The resident pays room and board from income. A case manager confirms the level of care and authorizes services. This waiver is separate from the Elderly and Disabled Waiver.

Room and board in assisted living is never a Medicaid expense. The program covers care services, including personal care, medication oversight and supervision. Housing and meals come out of the resident’s own income. See Assisted living and Medicaid and Room and board.

Who qualifies in 2026

Eligibility for the Assisted Living Waiver comes down to these points. The person:

• Is 21 or older
• Is Medicaid-eligible
• Needs a nursing facility level of care
• Passes the LTSS assessment
• Pays room and board

Income and assets. The Assisted Living Waiver requires full Medicaid eligibility under Mississippi’s long-term care financial rules. The income and asset figures in the table above are Mississippi’s 2026 Long-Term Care Medicaid figures from our state guide. Mississippi Medicaid’s countable assets do not usually include the home (within the equity limit, if the applicant or a spouse lives there or intends to return), one car, personal belongings and a small burial fund. Married couples get extra protection in Mississippi: the spouse at home keeps a share of assets and may get some of the applicant’s income. See Spousal impoverishment rules.

How the care assessment works. For the Assisted Living Waiver, an assessor checks how much help the person needs with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility and medications, and whether memory loss calls for supervision. For the Assisted Living Waiver, an assessor, usually a nurse or social worker, visits the person at home, in the hospital or in the facility. Families should describe the worst days honestly and bring a list of conditions and medicines. See Nursing home level of care and Activities of daily living.

What services it can pay for

What a participant receives under the Assisted Living Waiver follows the care plan. Possible services include:

• Personal care
• Medication oversight
• Homemaker
• Attendant call system
• Therapeutic activities

Not every participant gets every service; the plan reflects assessed need and the help family already gives. When needs grow, request an updated assessment.

How to apply

Applying usually involves two decisions: one about money (financial eligibility for Medicaid) and one about care needs. In plain terms, the steps are:

1. Contact Division of Medicaid.
2. Assessment.
3. Choose a facility.

Before contacting Mississippi Medicaid, see Applying for a waiver and the documents checklist for what to gather.

Waiting lists

The Assisted Living Waiver is slot-limited. When slots are full, eligible applicants wait, generally by application date.

General advice is in Waiver waiting lists.

How it relates to nursing home Medicaid

The Assisted Living Waiver uses the nursing facility level of care and the same 2026 income rule and $4,000 asset limit as nursing home Medicaid. In a nursing home, Medicaid pays room and board; in assisted living, the resident pays it.

What is the same as nursing home Medicaid. Most money rules carry over from nursing home Medicaid. Gifts and below-value transfers in the five-year look-back can trigger a penalty period for home care as well as nursing home care. After death, estate recovery can reach services paid from age 55 on. People who keep income above a set allowance may have to pay part of it toward their care each month.

Income in a nursing home. In 2026, Mississippi lets a nursing home resident keep $44 a month for personal needs; the rest of their income mostly pays toward care. Details are in our state guide.

Tips for families

• Start early. If there is a waiting list or a slow assessment, the clock usually starts when you ask, not when the crisis comes.
• Keep copies of every the Assisted Living Waiver form, notice and letter, and write down the name of each person you speak with and the date.
• Watch the deadlines on notices. A denial or cut can be appealed through a fair hearing, and a timely request can keep services going meanwhile.
• Report changes promptly, including income, assets, a move or a new living arrangement.
• Expect yearly reviews of both Medicaid eligibility and the care assessment. See Renewals.
• Get help with complex the Assisted Living Waiver cases, such as a spouse at home or past gifts. A certified Medicaid planner or a legal aid office can review how Mississippi’s rules fit a family’s situation.

Common questions

Does Medicaid pay rent? No. The resident pays room and board.

Is there a waiting list? Yes. The waiver is slot-limited.

Can I use it in any assisted living? Only in licensed facilities enrolled with the program.

Related pages

• Mississippi Long-Term Care Medicaid guide
• Mississippi E&D Waiver
• Three kinds of Long-Term Care Medicaid
• PACE programs

Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.