Paying for care2 min read
The Assisted Living Program (ALP): assisted living with Medicaid in New York
The main way Medicaid helps pay for assisted living in New York. Who it is for, how the money works in general terms, and why the waitlist matters.
Written and reviewed by Cardinal Care Advisors, Buffalo, New York. Published September 26, 2026.
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What it is
The Assisted Living Program is a New York program run in licensed adult homes and enriched housing that have ALP beds. It is for people who need more help than they can get at home and would otherwise qualify for a nursing home, but who do not need round-the-clock nursing. The resident gets housing, meals, personal care, and help with medicines in a residential setting.
How it is paid for, in general
For residents on Medicaid, Medicaid pays for the care services. Room and board is paid separately; residents on SSI generally put that income toward it and keep a small personal needs allowance. Some communities also take private-pay ALP residents. The exact rules are the state's and the county's, not ours; the Department of Health and your county Medicaid office have the details.
Room and board is paid separately; residents on SSI generally put that income toward it and keep a small personal needs allowance.
Who fits
Generally someone who needs help with daily activities, is medically stable, and does not need continual nursing care. The community assesses each person, and a physician's forms are part of admission.
The catch: beds are limited
Only some communities have ALP beds, and they fill. Ask each community how many ALP beds it has and how its waitlist works. Apply to more than one.
In CarePair
Find care has an ALP filter so you only see communities that take it. Choosing Medicaid on the /start questions turns it on for you. There is never a fee from Cardinal on a resident whose care is government-funded.
Official sources
These open another website. We link only to government agencies and established nonprofits.
- NYS Department of Health: Assisted Living Program (opens another site) · The state's page on ALP.
- New York State Medicaid (opens another site) · Eligibility and local offices.
- NYS Health Profiles (opens another site) · License and inspection records for adult care facilities.
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General information for families in Western New York, written by Cardinal Care Advisors. Not medical or legal advice; a physician, an elder law attorney, or a licensed assessor decides the things that need deciding. Tell us if something here is wrong or out of date: hello@thecardinalgroup.org.