What is an Auxiliary Grant?
An auxiliary grant is a supplement to income for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain other aged, blind, or disabled individuals residing in a licensed assisted living facility or an approved adult foster care home. This is assistance that enables recipients maintain a standard of living that meets a basic level of need. Before being admitted to an assisted living facility or an adult foster care home, an individual is assessed to determine eligibility and level of care.
The Auxiliary Grant Program is specifically for individuals who reside in an assisted living facility licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services' Division of Licensing Programs or in an adult foster care home approved by the local department of social services. Not all assisted living facilities accept auxiliary grant recipients.
Individuals receiving an auxiliary grant also receive a personal allowance. The personal allowance is used by the resident for such things as clothing, medical co-payments, personal toiletries, tobacco products, sodas, snacks, over-the-counter and non-prescription medications, prescriptions not covered by Medicaid, dental care, eyeglasses, provision of a personal telephone and long-distance service, personal transportation, and activities outside of what is offered by the assisted living facility or adult foster care provider.
How is Eligibility Determined?
Before an individual can receive assistance from the Auxiliary Grant Program, eligibility for the program must be determined by the local department of social services in the locality where the individual has residence. Residence for auxiliary grant eligibility is determined by the city or county within the state where the person last lived outside of an institution or adult foster care home. Any records or statements can be used to determine residency. If residency cannot be determined, or if the individual is from out-of-state, residency is where the individual is living at the time of application.
To be eligible for an auxiliary grant in Virginia, an individual must meet all of the following:
- Be 65 or over or be blind or be disabled.
- Reside in a licensed assisted living facility or approved adult foster care home.
- Be a citizen of the United States or an alien who meets specified criteria.
- Have a non-exempted (countable) income less than the total of the auxiliary grant rate approved for the assisted living facility plus the personal needs allowance.
- Have non-exempted resources less than $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple.
- Have been assessed and determined to need assisted living facility care or adult foster care placement.
To learn more about Auxiliary Grant, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services' Web site: click here.
For more information contact Twanna Whitehurst (757) 385-3425