Oregon Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver: Oregon 2026 Guide
Oregon’s Aged and Physically Disabled (APD) Waiver is a 1915(c) waiver that works alongside the K Plan. Since 2013, most attendant care in Oregon is paid through the K Plan, and the waiver covers additional services that the K Plan does not, such as adult day services, home-delivered meals and some specialized supports. It is run by ODHS Aging and People with Disabilities.
Below we cover the 2026 eligibility rules for the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver, the services it can pay for, the steps to apply, how waiting lists work, and how the program sits alongside nursing home Medicaid in Oregon. For the full statewide rules on income, assets, spouses and the look-back, see our Oregon Medicaid guide.
Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.
What the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver is
Most people never apply for the APD waiver separately. When a case manager assesses a person for long-term services, they decide which services are needed and whether each comes from the K Plan or the waiver. For families, the practical effect is one assessment, one case manager and one service plan. The waiver also allows Oregon to use spousal impoverishment rules and the income rules for people living in the community.
In federal terms, the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver is a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver. That label means Oregon received approval to bend some usual Medicaid rules, most importantly the link between long-term care and a nursing home bed. Since no state has to offer a waiver, each program’s services and size are set by the state and its federal agreement. Unlike regular Medicaid, a waiver is usually not an entitlement: qualifying does not guarantee an opening.
Who qualifies in 2026
Oregon looks at both how much help a person needs and what they own and earn. In general, to qualify for the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver an applicant must:
- be 65 or older, or 18 or older with a physical disability;
- be eligible for Oregon Medicaid with long-term care coverage;
- meet the service priority levels for nursing facility level of care; and
- need a service available through the waiver.
Financial rules. For the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver, the Oregon Department of Human Services applies the long-term care Medicaid rules for income and assets, generally the same ones used for nursing home care. Countable assets include bank accounts, investments and property other than the home, while the home, one car, personal belongings and certain burial funds are usually not counted. The five-year look-back on gifts and below-value transfers applies here too, so large gifts in the past five years can delay services.
In 2026, Oregon’s income limit is $2,982 a month, with an income cap trust above that, and the single-person asset limit is $2,000. People in home and community settings keep a larger monthly amount than nursing facility residents, who keep $81.28.
The main Oregon long-term care figures for 2026, taken from our state guide, are below.
| Item | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Income limit (applicant) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI rate) |
| Asset limit (single applicant) | $2,000 |
| Asset limit (couple, both applying) | $3,000 |
| Home equity limit | $752,000 |
| Spouse at home: resource allowance (CSRA) | The greater of half the couple’s resources (up to $162,660) or $32,532 |
| Spouse at home: monthly income allowance | Minimum $2,705 (from July 1, 2026) / maximum $4,066.50 |
| Personal needs allowance (nursing facility) | $81.28 a month |
| Look-back period | 60 months (5 years) |
Married applicants. When one spouse applies and the other stays at home, spousal impoverishment protections generally apply, so the spouse at home can keep a share of the couple’s assets and may receive part of the applicant’s income. The spousal allowance pages explain how these amounts are figured.
Services the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver can cover
What a participant actually receives depends on the plan of care written after the assessment. The services available under the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver include:
- adult day services
- home-delivered meals
- specialized living services
- environmental and home accessibility changes
- special medical equipment
- chore services
- case management
- community transportation
- the Independent Choices and Spousal Pay options
Limits to keep in mind. the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver does not pay for rent, groceries or utilities; in residential settings, room and board is the resident’s responsibility. Family help is usually factored into the plan, and medical coverage runs alongside the waiver as before.
How to apply for the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver
The steps below describe the usual path. Many people apply for Medicaid and request the waiver at the same time, so that the money and care tests run side by side.
- Contact the local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) or Area Agency on Aging office, or the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, and ask for a long-term services assessment.
- Apply for the Oregon Health Plan with long-term care through the state’s benefits website or the local office, if not already enrolled.
- A case manager completes an in-person assessment of needs and service priority.
- The case manager explains which services fit and writes a service plan.
- Choose providers, such as a homecare worker, an in-home agency or a community-based care setting, and services start.
Tips for the paperwork. Keep a folder of copies, and log every call with the date and name. Assessors only see one visit, so describe what a difficult day looks like and have a regular helper in the room. Supervision needs, confusion and falls matter as much as hands-on help. A denial notice explains the fair hearing process and its deadline.
Waiting lists and timing
Oregon reported no waiting list for this group in 2026.
Getting on a list early, before a crisis, is usually wise. In the meantime, families often combine state plan personal care, adult day, PACE in areas that have it, and Area Agency on Aging services. The waiver waiting lists page explains common rules.
How it relates to nursing home Medicaid
the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver serves people who meet the same care-need standard as nursing home residents, so it is an alternative to a nursing home rather than a lower level of care. Nursing home coverage cannot be capped, but waiver enrollment sometimes is. A participant who later needs a nursing home keeps Medicaid, though more of their income then goes toward care. People leaving a nursing home often get priority for waiver openings, with help from Money Follows the Person.
Tips for families
Time is the biggest factor, so start the process early. Have five years of records ready and write down daily care needs for a couple of weeks before the visit. If income is above the limit, a Miller trust or a spend-down may apply, depending on the state. If money has been given to family in the past five years, get advice before applying. When care needs grow, a new assessment can be requested at any time.
Because the Aged and Physically Disabled Waiver combines a care test, a money test and sometimes a wait, a Certified Medicaid Planner familiar with Oregon can be a real help: checking finances against the 2026 limits, flagging look-back issues and keeping the application on track. Costs range widely, from about $150 to $600 an hour, about $500 to $6,000 for application help, and about $2,500 to $15,000 or more for full planning.
Related pages
- Oregon Medicaid guide
- Oregon K Plan
- Oregon Spousal Pay Program
- HCBS waivers explained
- Applying for a waiver
- Nursing home level of care
- Waiver waiting lists
- The five-year look-back
Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.