Merrill Gardens at First Hill

Article: How to get Medicare and Medicaid to Pay for Assisted Living

Description

Merrill Gardens at First Hill prioritizes the individual needs of seniors in their golden years through a range of services, including assisted senior living and memory care private homes. As a family-owned company, they are committed to fostering meaningful connections and creating a vibrant culture within the home. Residents can also benefit from specialized assisted living for dementia patients, ensuring their unique needs are met with compassion and expertise.
Located amongst breathtaking scenery, the community boasts an array of amenities such as a game room, a library, and an inviting living room. The beautifully designed outdoor spaces, salon services, and garage parking enhance the luxurious living experience. Moreover, the community offers many enriching activities that cater to the diverse interests of the residents.

Comparison Chart

Compare senior living communities around the area

Merrill Gardens at First Hill

Seattle

N/A

Newcastle Adult Family home

Bellevue

Private Rooms

N/A

Claim What’s Yours: Financial Aid for Washington Seniors

Program

State Program Name

Eligibility

Benefits

Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)

WA Medicaid COPES

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Washington resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA Specifics: High demand in urban areas (e.g., Seattle).

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), respite (240 hours/year), adult day care ($70/day), home modifications ($1,500 avg.).

Washington Family Caregiver Support Program

WA NFCSP

General: Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia), Washington resident.
Income Limits: No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits: Not applicable.
WA Specifics: High urban demand; rural outreach.

Services: In-home respite (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$70/day), short-term facility care (up to 5 days).

Community First Choice (CFC)

Washington Community First Choice

General: Age 65+ (or disabled 18+), WA resident, Medicaid-eligible, need help with 2+ ADLs/IADLs.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month; QIT optional.
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA Specifics: Broader than COPES; serves ~20,000; self-directed option.

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), respite (~240 hours/year), assistive devices, training, transportation.

Older Americans Act (OAA) Services

Washington OAA Services

General: Age 60+, WA resident; no income/asset limits.
Income Limits (2025): None; donations encouraged.
Asset Limits: Not assessed.
WA Specifics: 13 AAAs; includes Meals on Wheels; rural focus.

Services: Meals (~$5-$7/meal), transportation, homemaker services (~4 hours/week), respite (~5 days/year), legal aid.

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Washington Medicare Savings Program

General: Age 65+ or disabled, WA resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits: $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
WA Specifics: Includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Washington LIHEAP

General: Age 60+ prioritized, WA resident, low-income household.
Income Limits (2025): ~$3,970/month (185% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not assessed.
WA Specifics: Covers gas, electric, wood; emergency aid available.

Services: Heating/cooling aid ($300-$1,000/season), crisis aid ($500 max).

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Washington SCSEP

General: Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, WA resident.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not specified.
WA Specifics: Priority for veterans, rural residents; AARP partnership.

Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Washington VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

General: Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse, WA resident, wartime service, ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025): Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits: ~$155,356 (net worth).
WA Specifics: High veteran use; supports rural/urban needs.

Services: Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs.

Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption

Washington Senior Property Tax Exemption

General: Age 61+ or disabled retiree, WA resident, homeowner, income-based.
Income Limits (2025): ~$45,000-$70,000/year (varies by county, e.g., King: $70,000).
Asset Limits: Not assessed; home value cap varies (~$250,000-$400,000).
WA Specifics: Saves ~$500-$1,500/year; offered statewide.

Services: Tax exemption (~$500-$1,500/year depending on county).

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Washington SFMNP

General: Age 60+, WA resident, low-income.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,322/month (185% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not assessed.
WA Specifics: Vouchers (~$80/season); serves ~20,000 via AAAs.

Services: Vouchers (~$80/season) for produce at farmers’ markets.

Claim What’s Yours Financial Aid for Washington Seniors

WA Medicaid COPES

Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, Washington resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month (300% FBR, individual).
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA Specifics: High demand in urban areas (e.g., Seattle).

Benefits

Services: Personal care (5-7 hours/day), respite (240 hours/year), adult day care ($70/day), home modifications ($1,500 avg.).

WA NFCSP

Washington Family Caregiver Support Program

Eligibility

General: Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia), Washington resident.
Income Limits: No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits: Not applicable.
WA Specifics: High urban demand; rural outreach.

Benefits

Services: In-home respite (4-6 hours/day), adult day care (~$70/day), short-term facility care (up to 5 days).

Washington Community First Choice

Community First Choice (CFC)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ (or disabled 18+), WA resident, Medicaid-eligible, need help with 2+ ADLs/IADLs.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,829/month; QIT optional.
Asset Limits: $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA Specifics: Broader than COPES; serves ~20,000; self-directed option.

Benefits

Services: Personal care (4-6 hours/day), respite (~240 hours/year), assistive devices, training, transportation.

Washington OAA Services

Older Americans Act (OAA) Services

Eligibility

General: Age 60+, WA resident; no income/asset limits.
Income Limits (2025): None; donations encouraged.
Asset Limits: Not assessed.
WA Specifics: 13 AAAs; includes Meals on Wheels; rural focus.

Benefits

Services: Meals (~$5-$7/meal), transportation, homemaker services (~4 hours/week), respite (~5 days/year), legal aid.

Washington Medicare Savings Program

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled, WA resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025): ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits: $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
WA Specifics: Includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

Benefits

Services: Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month), deductibles ($240/year), copays (~20%).

Washington LIHEAP

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Eligibility

General: Age 60+ prioritized, WA resident, low-income household.
Income Limits (2025): ~$3,970/month (185% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not assessed.
WA Specifics: Covers gas, electric, wood; emergency aid available.

Benefits

Services: Heating/cooling aid ($300-$1,000/season), crisis aid ($500 max).

Washington SCSEP

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Eligibility

General: Age 55+, unemployed, low-income, WA resident.
Income Limits (2025): ~$1,983/month (125% FPL).
Asset Limits: Not specified.
WA Specifics: Priority for veterans, rural residents; AARP partnership.

Benefits

Services: Paid training (~20 hours/week at ~$7.25/hour), job placement.

Washington VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

Eligibility

General: Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse, WA resident, wartime service, ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025): Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits: ~$155,356 (net worth).
WA Specifics: High veteran use; supports rural/urban needs.

Benefits

Services: Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs.

Washington Senior Property Tax Exemption

Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption

Eligibility

General: Age 61+ or disabled retiree, WA resident, homeowner, income-based.
Income Limits (2025): ~$45,000-$70,000/year (varies by county, e.g., King: $70,000).
Asset Limits: Not assessed; home value cap varies (~$250,000-$400,000).
WA Specifics: Saves ~$500-$1,500/year; offered statewide.