Program Description
The Maryland Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) provides financial assistance to state residents who live in certain certified congregate or group homes. Program participants do not receive cash assistance themselves. Payments are made directly to their group homes to subsidize part of their monthly fees.
In addition to housing, the group homes provide daily meals, housekeeping, and other support services (explained in greater detail below). The level of assistance provided through CHSP could best be equated to that offered in a private senior living residence. As a comparison, the assistance is intended for individuals who require less care than is typically provided in assisted living residences, but who cannot live independently without assistance. CHSP is funded by the Maryland Department of Aging.
This program is similar in objective and design to Maryland’s Senior Assisted Living Subsidy. However, CHSP is intended for individuals who have greater independence and financial resources. CHSP’s financial asset limits are quite a bit less restrictive than the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy. For more information on the Senior Assisted Living Subsidy, click here.
Eligibility Guidelines
General Requirements
Participants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 62 years old.
- Must be permanently or temporarily disabled (physically or mentally) and require at least partial assistance with a minimum of one of their activities of daily living.
- Must be able to function in the congregate housing with the services provided.
Financial Requirements
Income Limits
To qualify for a subsidy, an applicant’s income cannot exceed 60% of the state’s median income, as published by the State Department of Housing and Community Development. As of July 2023, this amount is equivalent to $4,112.50 / month ($49,350 / year) for an individual and $4,700 / month ($56,400 / year) for a married couple. Income limits will increase on July 1, 2024.
Asset Limits
Countable assets for an individual are limited to $27,375, and $35,587 for a couple.
Benefits and Services
As mentioned previously, the assistance available under this program comes in the form of payments to the congregate homes. Individuals do not receive cash assistance directly. Instead, participants’ incomes are assessed and a determination is made of how much assistance they require. Assistance is paid directly from the state to the congregate home. The amount varies based on the resident’s ability to pay.
Congregate homes are semi-private living quarters where the residents share meals and other homemaking services. Typically, the congregate homes provide meal services, housekeeping, some limited personal assistance, medication reminders and laundry.
Some, but not all, participating group homes also offer recreational activities and have on-site nursing care. Indirect assistance is also provided through service coordinators who help residents identify and coordinate other forms of community and state assistance provided outside of the residence. Personal care services may also be available, but more commonly, care services are contracted through a third-party.
Eligible applicants may pay a fee based on a sliding scale. Generally, this amount is equivalent to 10-20% of an individual’s income.
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How to Apply / Learn More
The Congregate Housing Services Program is not yet available statewide. A list of congregate housing sites by county can be found here. However, individuals who do not reside in one of these counties are free to apply for CHSP in any county they choose.
To apply for the program, interested individuals can contact a community directly or they can call the Maryland Department of Aging at 800-243-3425. The Department of Aging maintains a webpage about the program here.
