{"id":217887,"date":"2026-03-03T19:10:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/?p=217887"},"modified":"2026-03-03T19:10:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:10:42","slug":"does-social-security-pay-for-assisted-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/does-social-security-pay-for-assisted-living\/","title":{"rendered":"Does social security pay for assisted living? All the details"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This year, it&rsquo;s estimated that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/news\/press\/factsheets\/basicfact-alt.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$1.6 trillion in social security benefits<\/a> will end up in the bank accounts of individuals across the country to supplement their income and support them during retirement. Wondering<strong> <\/strong>if seniors can use that money to pay for assisted living? The short answer is yes, but just how much it will cover is another story.<\/p><p>&ldquo;The cost of assisted living communities has steadily increased over the past decade and is only projected to continue to increase,&rdquo; says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yourlegacylegalcare.com\/our-attorneys\/kim-hegwood\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kimberly A. Hegwood<\/a>, owner and managing elder law attorney at Your Legacy Legal Care. In fact, by 2034 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carescout.com\/cost-of-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average monthly cost for assisted living<\/a> is predicted to jump to nearly $8,000 per month from the current $5,900. This is why understanding just how much seniors can rely on social security income to afford assisted living is crucial.<\/p><p>Here, experts break down how social security benefits can pay for assisted living, plus offer important tips for seniors on social security for affording long-term care in the long run.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-custom-dynamic-list key-takeaways-block\"><h3>Key takeaways<\/h3><div class=\"key-takeaways-container\"><ul><li>Social Security benefits can be used to pay for assisted living, but payments go directly to the beneficiary &mdash; not the facility &mdash; and typically cover only a portion of the cost. With average monthly assisted living expenses projected to reach nearly $8,000 by 2034, most families must combine Social Security with other resources like pensions, home equity, long-term care insurance or Medicaid.<\/li><li>Retirement benefits are the most commonly used form of Social Security for assisted living, as they generally provide higher monthly payments than SSDI or SSI. However, even the average retirement benefit falls well short of current assisted living costs, making additional financial planning essential.<\/li><li>Seniors receiving SSI may qualify for added help through Medicaid waivers or Optional State Supplements (OSS), which vary widely by state and can significantly offset costs in some areas. Ultimately, experts stress that early planning with an elder law attorney and building a broader long-term care strategy is critical to protecting assets and ensuring sustainable care.<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-does-social-security-pay-for-assisted-living\" data-toc-id=\"3073af9f\">Does social security pay for assisted living?<\/h2><p>Simply put, social security can contribute to the cost of assisted living, but there is no formal system that pays assisted living facilities directly with social security benefits, explains Moti Gamburd, chief executive officer of <a href=\"https:\/\/carehomecare.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CARE Homecare<\/a>, a Los Angeles-based in-home care provider. &ldquo;The monthly payment is typically sent directly to the beneficiary, who then uses it however they need, including paying the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/assisted-living-cost-by-state\/\">assisted living facility,<\/a>&rdquo; Gamburd says.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;Most families we work with rely on a mix of social security, pensions, home equity, long-term care insurance and financial support from adult children.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Moti Gamburd, senior care expert<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><p>In turn, it&rsquo;s up to seniors and their families to manage assisted living payments each month, and there are three common options for how to pay, explains New Jersey-based elder law attorney <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pashmanstein.com\/team-naomi-becker-collier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Naomi Becker Collier<\/a>:&nbsp;<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Privately.<\/li><li>Using long-term care insurance.<\/li><li>With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/medicaid-pay-for-assisted-living\/\">Medicaid<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul><p>&ldquo;In any of these instances, all or part of your social security may be applied to pay for your care,&rdquo; says Collier who is also co-chair of the Trusts &amp; Estates and Elder Law &amp; Special Needs Planning practices at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden. &ldquo;However, most people do not receive enough social security that it would cover the cost of long-term care so they are forced to use their other assets to pay for their care in addition.&rdquo;<\/p><p>With this in mind, there is rarely a single solution when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/how-to-pay-for-assisted-living\/\">paying for assisted living<\/a>. &ldquo;Most families we work with rely on a mix of social security, pensions, home equity, long-term care insurance and financial support from adult children,&rdquo; Gamburd says. &ldquo;Some also use life insurance conversions or reverse mortgages.&rdquo;<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-social-security-benefits-pay-for-assisted-living-costs\" data-toc-id=\"c33d78d7\">How social security benefits pay for assisted living costs<\/h2><p>While any social security income can be used to pay for assisted living, different types of benefits will play different roles when it comes to supplementing costs. In general, there are three main types of federal social security benefits seniors use for long-term care:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Retirement benefits.<\/li><li>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).<\/li><li>Supplemental Security Income (SSI).<\/li><\/ul><p>Here&rsquo;s a closer look at how social security benefits compare when it comes to payments:<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Social Security Benefit<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who Qualifies<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How It&rsquo;s Determined<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Average monthly payment*<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Retirement benefits<\/td><td>Individuals 65 years and older.<\/td><td>Based on earnings history.<\/td><td>$1,948<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)<\/td><td>Adults under retirement age who are unable to work due to a disability.<\/td><td>Based on the determination of qualifying disability.<\/td><td>$1,440<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Supplemental Security Income (SSI)<\/td><td>Individuals under retirement age or 65 years and older.<\/td><td>Based on income and asset limits, not work history.<\/td><td>$718<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>*<\/em><\/strong><em>Based on the latest data from the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/quickfacts\/stat_snapshot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Social Security Administration<\/em><\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" data-toc-id=\"81831902\">Advice on how to afford assisted living on social security<\/h2><p>So which social security benefits offer the greatest support for assisted living costs? Retirement benefits are the most commonly used for assisted living because they are the most widely available, according to Hegwood. &ldquo;Retirement benefits also tend to offer the highest monthly income, depending on the individual&rsquo;s work history, of course,&rdquo; Hegwood says.&nbsp;<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>&ldquo;Many families don&rsquo;t realize they qualify for extra support or could structure their finances differently to access help.&rdquo;<\/p><cite>&mdash; Moti Gamburd<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure><p>SSI, on the other hand, is not used as often for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/hidden-costs-assisted-living\/\">assisted living<\/a> since it typically can&rsquo;t cover the costs of retiring in an assisted living community, Hegwood notes. However, if you qualify for SSI, there are other potential benefits you may qualify for which are important to consider.<\/p><p>First, Gamburd suggests looking into local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicaid.gov\/medicaid\/section-1115-demo\/demonstration-and-waiver-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medicaid waiver programs<\/a> which often work alongside SSI. &ldquo;Many families don&rsquo;t realize they qualify for extra support or could structure their finances differently to access help,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;And if assisted living isn&rsquo;t affordable, in-home care might be a more manageable option while still offering high-quality support.&rdquo;<\/p><p>Second, many states provide extra benefits in addition to the federal SSI payments that can offer support. These state-funded payments are called optional state supplements (OSS). There are only six states that do not offer any OSS: Arizona, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, West Virginia and North Dakota.&nbsp;Meanwhile, others may offer OSS benefits that do not apply to assisted living costs.<\/p><p>Curious what your state offers in terms of supplement to SSI for long-term care costs? Here&rsquo;s what to know, plus links to state-specific pages detailing benefits to check out for more details:<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-state-by-state-oss-offerings\">State-by-State OSS offerings<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Optional State Supplement<\/strong> <strong>Benefit Amount<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nolo.com\/legal-encyclopedia\/alabama-disability-benefits-social-security-disability-insurance-ssi.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alabama<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"http:\/\/dpaweb.hss.state.ak.us\/POLICY\/PDF\/APA-Standards.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alaska<\/a><\/td><td>$30\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arizona<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arkansas<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11125.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">California<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $630\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/cdhs.colorado.gov\/adult-financial-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colorado<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $1,005\/month based on income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/departments-and-agencies\/dss\/fact-sheets-and-issue-briefs\/fact-sheets\/agedblinddiabledfactsheet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Connecticut<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on age and health status.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/regulations.delaware.gov\/AdminCode\/title16\/Department%20of%20Health%20and%20Social%20Services\/Division%20of%20Social%20Services\/Delaware%20Social%20Services%20Manual\/13000.shtml\">Delaware<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on level of care needed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/flrules.org\/gateway\/RuleNo.asp?title=OPTIONAL%20STATE%20SUPPLEMENTATION&amp;ID=65A-2.036\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida<\/a><\/td><td>$807.40\/month for room and board only.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/aspe.hhs.gov\/sites\/default\/files\/migrated_legacy_files\/73511\/15alcom-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Georgia<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11108.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hawaii<\/a><\/td><td>$1,751-$1,859\/month. Dependent on size of facility.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/healthandwelfare.idaho.gov\/services-programs\/financial-assistance\/about-aabd-cash-assistance\">Idaho<\/a><\/td><td>Cash assistance based on need.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.state.il.us\/page.aspx?item=45317\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Illinois<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income and expenses.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/fssa\/da\/provider-resources\/residential-care-assistance-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indiana<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income and expenses.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/hhs.iowa.gov\/programs\/programs-and-services\/state-supplementary-assistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Iowa<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $37.60 per diem for facility cost, plus $126\/month for personal needs.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/progdesc\/ssi_st_asst\/2011\/ks.html\">Kansas<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on Medicaid coverage.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chfs.ky.gov\/agencies\/dcbs\/dfs\/Documents\/OMVOLV.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kentucky<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $1,583\/month minus countable income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/ldh.la.gov\/assets\/medicaid\/MedicaidEligibilityPolicy\/H-800.pdf\">Louisiana<\/a><\/td><td>$1-$8\/month for personal needs.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/sites\/maine.gov.sos\/files\/content\/assets\/144c336.doc\">Maine<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income and facility cost.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/aging.maryland.gov\/Pages\/senior-assisted-living-subsidy-program.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Maryland<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $1,056\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mass.gov\/doc\/federal-and-state-payment-levels-for-calendar-year-cy-2025\/download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Massachusetts<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $454\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mdhhs-pres-prod.michigan.gov\/olmweb\/EX\/RF\/Public\/RFT\/248.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Michigan<\/a><\/td><td>$87-$179\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mn.gov\/dhs\/people-we-serve\/adults\/economic-assistance\/income\/programs-and-services\/msa.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minnesota<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mississippi<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/dssmanuals.mo.gov\/supplemental-nursing-care\/0615-000-00\/0615-005-00\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Missouri<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $292\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/rules.mt.gov\/browse\/collections\/aec52c46-128e-4279-9068-8af5d5432d74\/policies\/c18ac2f2-eaf8-4441-ace5-3f8af4979219\">Montana<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $94\/ month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/dhhs.ne.gov\/Pages\/Social-Services-Aged-and-Disabled-Adults.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nebraska<\/a><\/td><td>Cash assistance available to those who don&rsquo;t qualify for Medicaid. Benefits vary based on need.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.ssa.gov\/apps10\/poms.nsf\/lnx\/0501415054\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nevada<\/a><\/td><td>$354\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/programs-services\/adult-aging-care\/old-age-assistance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Hampshire<\/a><\/td><td>Cash assistance available depending on needs and income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11148.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Jersey<\/a><\/td><td>$188\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.srca.nm.gov\/parts\/title08\/08.106.0410.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New Mexico<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $100\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/otda.ny.gov\/programs\/ssp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New York<\/a><\/td><td>$435-$694\/month based on level of care and location.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncdhhs.gov\/divisions\/social-services\/special-assistance\/state-and-county-special-assistance-adult-care-home-residents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Carolina<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Dakota<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/mha.ohio.gov\/get-help\/recovery-supports\/residential-state-supplement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ohio<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $1,800\/month based on facility type.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahoma.gov\/okdhs\/library\/policy\/current\/oac-340\/chapter-15\/subchapter-1\/state-supplemental-payment-ssp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oklahoma<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregonlegislature.gov\/lpro\/publications\/seniorsddlongtermcare.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oregon<\/a><\/td><td>Cash assistance options only for specific individual needs. Amounts vary.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11150.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pennsylvania<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $430\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11164.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rhode Island<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $332\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scdhhs.gov\/resources\/programs-and-initiatives\/long-term-living\/optional-state-supplementation-oss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Carolina<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on income.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/sdlegislature.gov\/Rules\/Administrative\/67:12:14:02\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Dakota<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tennessee<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.texas.gov\/handbooks\/medicaid-elderly-people-disabilities-handbook\/h-6000-co-payment-ssi-cases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texas<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on facility.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/progdesc\/ssi_st_asst\/2011\/ut.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Utah<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-11128.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vermont<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $224\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dars.virginia.gov\/aps\/AuxGrants.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virginia<\/a><\/td><td>Benefits vary based on location.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dshs.wa.gov\/dda\/consumers-and-families\/state-supplementary-payment-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/ssi\/text-benefits-ussi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">West Virginia<\/a><\/td><td>No state supplement for SSI recipients.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.wisconsin.gov\/ssi\/ssi-e.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wisconsin<\/a><\/td><td>Up to $95.99\/month.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/policy\/docs\/progdesc\/ssi_st_asst\/2011\/wy.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wyoming<\/a><\/td><td>State supplement does not cover assisted living.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/dhcf.dc.gov\/service\/optional-state-supplement-payment-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington DC<\/a><\/td><td>$678-$788\/month. Dependent on facility size.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-final-tip-on-using-social-security-to-pay-for-assisted-living\" data-toc-id=\"b8f83de5\">A final tip on using social security to pay for assisted living<\/h2><p>Social security can be used to pay assisted living costs, but the key takeaway is that relying on social security benefits alone is not sufficient, Hegwood emphasizes. &ldquo;While these benefits can help cover these costs, incorporating them into a broader estate and long-term care plan is essential to cover gaps to protect the individual&rsquo;s and their family&rsquo;s financial future,&rdquo; she says.<\/p><p>No matter your specific financial situation, the golden rule for determining how to afford <a href=\"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/long-term-care-insurance-pay-assisted-living\/\">assisted living<\/a> on social security is to start planning early and working with an elder law attorney to create a sound financial plan catered to your specific goals and situation, Hegwood adds.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Everything seniors need to know about how to afford assisted living on social security, plus a state-by-state look at supplemental benefits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1345,"featured_media":218419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"enable_toc":true,"care_reviewed_by":0,"care_post_updated_flag":false,"care_updated_date":"2026-03-03T19:10:31.215Z","last_update":"2026-03-03","view_count":254,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1056],"member-type":[3],"vertical":[8,27],"platform":[2],"class_list":["post-217887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-assisted-living","member-type-seeker","vertical-seniors","vertical-senior-care-guides","platform-resources"],"acf":[],"created":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1345"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=217887"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":226437,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217887\/revisions\/226437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/218419"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=217887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=217887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=217887"},{"taxonomy":"member-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/member-type?post=217887"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=217887"},{"taxonomy":"platform","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.care.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/platform?post=217887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}