Richmond Senior Advisor Podcast

Marcus: Welcome to the Richmond Senior Advisor podcast. I'm Marcus.

Dana: And I'm Dana. Today we're walking through Virginia's Auxiliary Grant, and what applying for it really looks like in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield.

Marcus: Here's the situation. Dad needs assisted living, his income is mostly Social Security, and there's very little in savings. Someone at the hospital mentions the Auxiliary Grant.

Dana: And it may be the right answer. But the order of steps matters a lot.

Marcus: Start with the basics. What is the Auxiliary Grant, and who is it for?

Dana: It's a cash payment for aged, blind or disabled adults who receive Supplemental Security Income, or who would qualify except their income is a little too high. It helps pay for care in a licensed assisted living facility.

Marcus: Is it Medicaid?

Dana: No. And in Virginia, Medicaid doesn't pay assisted living room and board, so the Auxiliary Grant is the main public help for lower-income residents.

Marcus: Who runs it?

Dana: The program manager is the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, but families deal with their local Department of Social Services. That office takes the application and decides eligibility.

Marcus: How much does the Auxiliary Grant pay in 2026?

Dana: The rate is $2,130 a month, effective January 1, 2026. That's up $27 from $2,103, to reflect the Social Security cost-of-living increase. The personal needs allowance, the money your parent keeps for personal expenses, stayed at $87.

Marcus: I've seen a higher number online.

Dana: That's Northern Virginia. Planning District 8 has a higher rate, $2,450, but it doesn't apply anywhere in the Richmond region or the Tri-Cities.

Marcus: So how does the money actually work?

Dana: In broad terms, your parent's own income and the grant together make up the facility's Auxiliary Grant rate, and the facility accepts that as payment for room, board and the care it provides at that level.

Marcus: What's the first step for a Richmond family?

Dana: Confirm income. If your parent already gets Supplemental Security Income, the income test is likely met. If not, compare monthly income with the grant rate plus the personal needs allowance. A local eligibility worker can tell you quickly whether it's worth applying.

Marcus: And at the same time?

Dana: Start calling facilities. Ask directly whether they accept Auxiliary Grant residents, and whether they have a bed for one now or soon. Many Richmond-area facilities don't participate, and those that do often have a short list of openings.

Marcus: So the bed is the real bottleneck.

Dana: Usually, yes. An approval without a bed doesn't help.

Marcus: Why is the Uniform Assessment Instrument needed?

Dana: To get the grant in assisted living, your parent has to be assessed on that form as needing residential living care or assisted living care. For public-pay residents, it's done by a case manager or a qualified public assessor, not by facility staff. The local social services office can arrange it, or the hospital if your parent is an inpatient.

Marcus: Anything to check on it?

Dana: Ask for a copy. The assessment also drives the facility's service plan, so make sure it describes your parent accurately.

Marcus: How long does the whole process take?

Dana: There's no published standard timeline. It depends on how fast the documents come together and whether a bed is open.

Marcus: Where do applications stall?

Dana: Almost always one of three places. Missing financial documents, no available bed, or confusion about which locality's office should handle the case after a move. If your parent lives in Chesterfield but the facility is in Henrico, ask both offices how the case will transfer.

Marcus: Which documents should a family gather before applying?

Dana: Proof of identity and age, a Social Security number, the latest Supplemental Security Income or Social Security award letter, statements for every bank account and any other income, property information and insurance cards. If someone holds power of attorney, bring a copy. Make two copies of everything and keep one set for the facility's business office.

Marcus: Can the grant be used for memory care?

Dana: Only in a licensed facility approved to accept grant residents, and few secured special care units do. So ask each one.

Marcus: Last one. What if Dad's already paying privately and the savings are running out?

Dana: Ask the facility now whether it will convert him to the Auxiliary Grant in place. Some will. Others will start discharge planning, which in Virginia means notice of the reason, a move normally within 30 days, and written notice of the date and destination at least 14 days ahead. The best protection is getting that answer in the resident agreement before move-in.

Marcus: The full guide, with the 2026 rate table and the document checklist, is in the description.

Dana: And if you'd like help finding a facility that accepts the Auxiliary Grant, a Richmond Senior Advisor is free. See you next time.