Program Description
West Virginia’s Lighthouse Program was created to provide services to seniors who require assistance with the activities of daily living but do not qualify for assistance from Medicaid. The program is funded by the state and managed at the county level. The Lighthouse Program provides four areas of support to the elderly (ages 60+) in their homes: personal care services, mobility assistance, nutrition, and housekeeping.
The Lighthouse Program works as follows: A Plan of Care is developed by a medical professional and county caseworker in which the specific tasks and frequency of assistance is determined. (The maximum number of hours a program participant can receive is 60 hours a month). Caregivers are hired by the county and receive training.
Under this program (in most West Virginia counties), certain family members are eligible to be paid caregivers for their loved ones. Spouses are excluded, but the adult children are not. Note, this is based on county policy, as some counties allow family members to provide care while others do not.
This model of allowing the care recipient to choose their paid caregiver is referred to as “self-directed services” by Medicaid.
Eligibility Guidelines
General Requirements
To qualify for the Lighthouse Program in 2024, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a West Virginia resident of at least 60 years of age.
- Require significant assistance with at least two of their activities of daily living, as determined by a medical evaluation.
Financial Requirements
- Strictly speaking, there are no financial limits for participation in the Lighthouse Program. However, one’s income level determines the amount of financial assistance an individual receives.
- If the applicant is married, joint income is considered.
Benefits and Services
The Lighthouse Program provides up to a maximum of 60 hours of assistance each month in the following four areas:
- Assistance with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and toileting.
- Mobility assistance, such as walking or transferring oneself from lying or sitting to standing.
- Nutritional assistance, which includes activities such as meal planning, grocery shopping, and food preparation.
- Homemaker services such as housekeeping, changing bed linens, dishwashing, and laundry.
The cost of services is determined on a sliding scale based on the annual income of the individual receiving care, as well as the income of his or her spouse. In addition, one can deduct medical expenses, such as health insurance premiums and prescription medications, from their annual income, effectively lowering their considered income. Hourly fees charged to the individual range from $1.50 – $16.
Note the information in the table below is revised annually and is based on 200% of U.S. Poverty Guidelines. The figures below were accurate as of February 2024.
|
Individual Annual Income
|
Individual & Spouse Annual Income
|
Hourly Rate
|
|
$27,180 and under |
$36,620 and under |
$1.50 |
|
Up to $32,180 |
Up to $43,620 |
$2.00 |
|
Up to $37,180 |
Up to $50,620 |
$4.00 |
|
Up to $42,180 |
Up to $57,620 |
$6.00 |
|
Up to $47,180 |
Up to $64,620 |
$8.00 |
|
Up to $52,180 |
Up to $71,620 |
$10.00 |
|
Up to $57,180 |
Up to $78,620 |
$12.00 |
|
Up to $62,180 |
Up to $85,620 |
$14.00 |
|
Over $62,181 |
Over $85,621 |
$16.00 |
How to Apply / Learn More
To apply for the Lighthouse Program, contact your local County Aging Provider.
To learn more, visit the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services’ webpage. One can also call the bureau at 877-987-3646 or 304-558-3317.
There are other non-Medicaid programs available in West Virginia for the elderly and disabled. Read about assistance from the Ron Yost Program and the FAIR Program.
