GrandCare
Assisted Living Services

An Assisted Living Waiver Care Coordination Agency

The California Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) was designed to create affordable housing options for seniors and individuals with disabilities at an affordable monthly rate.

Let us help you get approved to participate in the California Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver Program.
Our services are 100% free.

Get Started

Enrollment Process

1

Apply –
Pre-Eligibility

Complete and submit the application packet to determine if you meet the pre-eligibility criteria.

If all pre-eligibility criteria are met, GrandCare Assisted Living Services will assist you with the enrollment process for the ALW program at no cost.

2

Waitlist Process

All applicants are placed on the DHCS (Dept of Health Care Services) ALW Waitlist. Each Care Coordination Agency (CCA) has their own waitlist with DHCS and you may only be on one waitlist at a time.

DHCS gives priority on the waitlist for different types of applicants. DHCS decides what the priority is for each type of applicant and the expected waitlist times. Waitlist times are subject to change monthly.

The types of applicants are: Community, Institutional (SNF), Open Adult Protective Services case (APS), and Ombudsman referral (LTCO).

We can update an application type at any time with DHCS with the appropriate documentation. DHCS will honor the initial waitlist submission date when/if the application type is updated.

3

Assessment

Our Nurses will schedule to meet with you for an in-person assessment. They will review your specific care needs based on your medical documentation and your personal history.

The tool used during your assessment is provided by DHCS and will determine your Tier level of care.

If eligible, our team will review and submit the complete assessment to DHCS for approval.

4

Review & Approval

The Department of Health Care Services will review your application packet and provide a Pend (pre-approval) for the Assisted Living Waiver.

5

Transition into an ALW Approved Facility

Once you have moved into an ALW approved facility we will request official enrollment into the ALW Program.

With over 800+ ALW Approved Facilities to choose from in Southern California, our team will work with you and your loved ones to make sure we secure placement at an ALW Approved Facility that can accommodate and provide the care you need. See Enrollment Process Video for more information regarding placement.*

6

Ongoing Care Oversight

As the Care Coordination Agency (CCA), we will continue to monitor and oversee participants’ care throughout their enrollment.

A Nurse or Social Worker will visit on a monthly basis to check-in and ensure participants are receiving adequate care at the facility based on their ALW Individual Care Plan.

FAQs

See most frequently asked questions.

What is the Assisted Living Waiver Program?

The California Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a waiver that was created by legislation to provide assisted living care services as a Medi-Cal benefit. Visit the Department of Health Care Services to learn more.

What are the ALW Eligibility Requirements?

Age 21 or older
Have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility with zero share of cost
Enrolled in SSI/SSP/SSD or receive enough income to pay the monthly room and board amount
Must meet ALW Care Criteria – Require assistance with 3/5 activities of daily living
Able to reside safely in an assisted living facility or public subsidized housing
Willing to live in an assisted living setting located in one of the following counties providing ALW services: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties

Can I apply without Medi-Cal benefits?

Yes. As long as you provide us, your Care Coordination Agency (CCA), with your social security number and date of birth we can add you to the waitlist. You will need to have zero-share-of-cost Medi-Cal by the time we are requesting your enrollment in the ALW Program.

Is this program free?

ALW Services are funded through the participants’ Medi-Cal. There are no out-of-pocket expenses due or payable to Guidant Care from clients or family members.

Participants are only required to pay ALW Room & Board Rate to Assisted Living Facility each month.

What is the cost of room and board?

The ALW Room and Board is determined by SSI and the Non-medical Out of Home Rate. This typically increases yearly with the COLA increase.

Most ALW participants use their Social Security Income/State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) to pay for rent.

Effective January 1, 2026, monthly Room and Board rate is $1,444.07.

If income is greater than $1,626.07 a facility can charge an additional $20 totaling $1,464.07.

Are people able to choose their own facility?

Yes. You have a choice of which ALW Approved Facility you choose to reside. Be advised, each facility must also confirm they can accommodate care level before admission.

I have Medi-Cal benefits, is there an auto-enrollment in the waiver?

No. Having Medi-Cal benefits allows you to participate in the program but does not mean that a participant is auto-enrolled. You still need to apply with a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) to be enrolled.

About Us

GrandCare Assisted Living Services is a Care Coordination Agency (CCA) for the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program. We have been coordinating care for people in the Southern California region since 2008. Our team specializes in the enrollment process and is dedicated to helping participants find placement in a local assisted living facility that can best meet their care needs.

Resources

Areas We Serve

Proudly Serving the Following Counties:

We work with over 800 assisted living facilities that participate in the ALW program. Many have room availability to accept and care for our clients in all metropolitan areas of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Diego County.

Corona, Eastvale, Mira Loma, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Desert Hot Springs, Hemet, Menifee, Perris, Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Palm Springs

Placentia, Orange, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton, Irvine, Fountain Valley, La Habra, Anaheim Hills, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Buena Park, Huntington Beach, Stanton, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Midway City, Tustin, Fountain Valley, Yorba Linda, Laguna Hills, Corona Del Mar, Westminster

Oceanside, Escondido, San Diego, El Cajon, Lakeside, Chula Vista, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad

Fontana, Apple Valley, Ontario, Redlands, Yucaipa, Joshua Tree, Loma Linda, Hesperia, Victorville, Alta Loma, Chino Hills, Upland, Montclair, Mentone, Angelus Oaks, Rialto, Yucca Valley

Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova

Stockton, Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Tracy

Fowler, Fresno, Clovis, Reedley

Bakersfield, Kernfield, Ridgecrest, Frazier Park