What changed
DHCS published the maximum payable rates for ALW services for 2026. DHCS says the 2026 rates rose with the state minimum wage, which went up to $16.90 on January 1, 2026. The assisted-living service tiers pay $95.69 to $270.80 per participant per day, and care coordination pays $320.00 per participant per month. The rate sheet also restates that ALW does not pay room and board. Each tier, with what decides it: the ALW tier rates for 2026.
Who it affects
ALW providers, Care Coordination Agencies and the professionals who work with them.
What to do
Nothing changes for residents and families. These are provider rates, not what a resident pays the home for room and board. Read which amounts a resident pays and which the waiver pays.
Sources
- California DHCS, Assisted Living Waiver Reimbursement Rates, updated December 2025
- California DHCS, Assisted Living Waiver program page (2026 rate increase)
This post is a summary. The state's own notice controls. Nothing on this page changes anyone's place on the waitlist or their eligibility.
Changes to this post
- October 26, 2026 Linked the tier page (each tier with what decides it). Figures unchanged.
- October 19, 2026 Title now carries the year and the daily rate range. Figures unchanged. Linked the rates page.
- October 6, 2026 Shortened. The increase now cites the DHCS program page, the headline rates come from the rate sheet, and the costs page is linked.
- August 27, 2026 First published.