Last verified: October 2026
What is Maryland's Senior Assisted Living Subsidy?
The Senior Assisted Living Subsidy Program (formerly the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy) is a state-funded program of the Maryland Department of Aging, administered through each local Area Agency on Aging that pays part of the monthly fee for low- and moderate-income seniors living in assisted living programs that have enrolled with the local office.
It is governed by COMAR 32.03.03. Unlike Medicaid, it does not require a nursing facility level of care and there is no federal match, so funding is limited by each year's budget.
Source: COMAR 32.03.03.05
Who qualifies for the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy?
Age 62 or older; physically or mentally impaired and needing help with activities of daily living; living in, or accepted to, an assisted living program that has enrolled with the local office; net monthly income below the program's approved monthly fee; net annual income no higher than 60 percent of the state median income (HUD); resources no more than the regulation's base of $19,000 single or $25,000 married, indexed each July 1 to inflation since 2021; no transfers of more than 5 percent of net worth for less than fair market value in the previous 5 years.
How much does the subsidy pay?
The monthly subsidy is the lesser of the gap between the resident's net income and the approved fee, or the maximum the local office sets each year -- between $650 and $1,000 a month (COMAR 32.03.03.07).
The local office deducts a personal-needs amount from the resident's income first, then pays the program the gap up to its annual maximum. It is recalculated every year from current financial information.
How do you apply in the Baltimore area?
Contact the Area Agency on Aging for the jurisdiction where the program is located; the program itself must also be enrolled and hold a service agreement with that office.
Baltimore City: 410-396-CARE (2273). Baltimore County: 410-887-2594. Anne Arundel: 410-222-4257. Howard: 410-313-1234. Harford: 410-638-3025. Carroll: 410-386-3800. Ask whether the office has a waiting list this fiscal year and which local programs are enrolled.
Is the subsidy the same as the Medicaid waiver?
No; they can be compared but not stacked for the same services.
| Senior Assisted Living Subsidy | Community Options Waiver |
|---|---|
| Department of Aging, local AAA | Maryland Medicaid |
| Age 62+; help with daily activities | 18+; nursing facility level of care |
| Resources up to the indexed COMAR limit | Assets $2,000-$2,500 |
| $650-$1,000/month cap set locally | Pays assisted living services |
Which Baltimore programs take the subsidy?
Only programs that have enrolled with the local office and signed a service agreement; the list changes, so the Area Agency on Aging is the source.
Small homes are the most frequent participants, because the subsidy was designed around group homes. Ask the program directly as well.
