Program updates
Assisted Living Waiver rules, rates and benefit amounts change a few times a year. This page lists the changes that affect people: when they took effect, who they affect, and what, if anything, you need to do. Newest first. A change listed here is a summary; the state's own notice or policy letter controls.
DHCS's enrollment and waitlist file shows 14,809 people enrolled and 20,262 on the waitlist in February 2026. The waitlist has grown every month since August 2025 while enrollment has drifted down.
For: Applicants and families · Professional referrers · Facilities
The state adopted a temporary emergency rule change for ALW applicants and participants affected by the Orange County chemical-spill emergency, with enrollment, re-enrollment, setting and slot-retention adjustments.
For: Families and applicants in Orange County · Care Coordination Agencies · Assisted-living facilities
DHCS published increased maximum payable rates for specified ALW services from January 1, 2026. These are provider rates, not what residents pay.
For: Assisted-living facilities and other ALW providers · Care Coordination Agencies · Professionals
Asset limits returned on January 1, 2026 for certain non-MAGI Medi-Cal groups, mainly older adults, people with disabilities and people needing long-term care, with another statutory change scheduled for July 1, 2027.
For: Applicants and families · Benefits professionals
DHCS clarified how Long-Term Care Ombudsman referrals work within the ALW waitlist priority groups. An Ombudsman referral is a documented route, not a shortcut.
For: Care Coordination Agencies · Ombudsman programs and professional referrers · Applicants whose urgent need an Ombudsman has documented
CDSS published the 2026 SSI/SSP amounts for people in licensed care homes (the Non-Medical Out-of-Home Care standard), including the room-and-board and personal-needs parts.
For: Residents paying room and board from SSI/SSP · Families · Facilities and benefits staff
