Does IHSS continue after a move?

Licensed community care facilities are not “own home” on the CDSS eligibility page. Tell the county about a move.

Does Medicare pay the monthly fee?

Generally no. See the pay page.

Is every community in the Assisted Living Waiver?

No. Ask whether this site participates today. Slots are limited.

Settings

What is assisted living in California?

Updated September 16, 2026. Reviewed September 16, 2026 against public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and CareScout 2025 California tables. County wages, hours, and wait times still change. Official .gov pages decide.

Assisted living is usually a licensed residential care community with meals, housekeeping, and on-site staff. IHSS is for a person’s own home. Medicare generally does not pay the rent.

Based on public CDSS, DHCS, Medicare.gov, VA, and California Department of Insurance pages retrieved 2026-09-16. County, Medi-Cal, Medicare, VA, and insurer staff decide what actually pays. Hourly rates, hour totals, waiver slots, and wait times are local and change.

Short answer

Assisted living in California is typically a licensed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly or similar community: a private room or apartment, meals, housekeeping, and on-site staff. It is not a skilled nursing facility and it is not IHSS. Medicare generally does not pay room, board, and custodial help there. Medi-Cal may have the Assisted Living Waiver at participating sites with limited slots.

Who decides

The community sets private fees and admissions. DHCS and the waiver agency decide ALW. County IHSS does not pay that residential bed.

What to do next

Ask for a written fee list. Open assisted-living costs and the ALW guide if Medi-Cal may apply. Use care-path if you are still choosing a setting.

Tour questions

What is in the monthly fee, and what is extra?
Do you participate in the Assisted Living Waiver today?
What happens if care needs increase?
If we still have IHSS at home, who should we call before we move?

Questions people ask

Does IHSS continue after a move?: Licensed community care facilities are not “own home” on the CDSS eligibility page. Tell the county about a move.
Does Medicare pay the monthly fee?: Generally no. See the pay page.
Is every community in the Assisted Living Waiver?: No. Ask whether this site participates today. Slots are limited.

Official sources for this page

Official program pages: CDSS: In-Home Supportive Services, CDSS: IHSS for children, County IHSS offices, CDSS: IHSS providers, CDSS: county IHSS wage rates, CDSS: provider orientation, CDSS: Electronic Visit Verification, CDSS: Electronic Services Portal, DHCS: Medi-Cal, Apply for Medi-Cal, BenefitsCal, CDSS: hearing requests, CDSS: forms catalog, CDSS: IHSS overtime and workweek, DDS: regional centers.