Few decisions are more difficult for a family than when the time comes to consider having to move a loved one from the home to an adult care facility. In many instances, this decision is driven by a lack of economic resources and the inability to continue to provide the level of care the loved one needs.
With sufficient income, adequate housing, necessary health and social services, reliable informal support from family and friends and case management, some such individuals could remain safely at home and not have to face the move to an institutional setting. Recognizing this, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation to establish a demonstration project in select N. C. counties to address such a scenario. The goal of this project is to allow individuals to remain part of the community and live as independently as possible.
Guilford County is one such jurisdiction that has been chosen to participate in this pilot project, and has been allocated 50 of the 400 client slots established statewide. The program is geared to individuals who have a total countable monthly income of $695.50 or less, and are eligible for Medicaid as a categorically needy aged, blind, or disabled adult living in a private living arrangement.
This program is being offered to residents of Guilford County 18 years of age or older who:
Need adult care home level in a facility licensed under G.S..13 ID, 122, or 13 1 D, but desire to ive in their own home or other private living setting.
Need Special Assistance payments to live safely at home and meet Special Assistance/In-Home (SA/IH) eligibility requirements.
Need adult care home level in a facility licensed under G.S..13 ID, 122, or 13 1 D, but desire to live in their own home or other private living setting.
Can, with appropriate services, have his/her health, safety and well-being maintained at home.
Meet the income and Medicaid-eligible criteria mentioned above.
The SA/IH income supplement for aged disabled adults who have income below poverty level is intended to cover such items as food, shelter, clothing and other daily necessities. It does not replace formal and informal services and support already available to an individual. Based upon a maximum income rate of $695.50 per month, the supplemental payment is determined by taking the amount for which the individual is eligible - as determined by the service plan - and subtracting the person's total monthly countable income.
Referrals are taken by telephone or in person by the Department of Social Services' Adult Services Intake Unit or the Adult Medicaid Unit. The telephone number in Greensboro is 373-4701, while the High Point number is 884-7771. The Adult Services Intake Worker or Medicaid Eligibility Caseworker will explain the program and document the client's choice to apply for participation.
The Worker then conducts a mini-screening to determine if SA/IH is potentially appropriate, and, if so, an Adult Services Social Worker is assigned. In the event that the applicant is determined to be ineligible for the program, they will be referred to the Special Assistance Adult Care Home application process to pursue placement in an appropriate facility.
It is important to note that this pilot project is not designed solely for persons who are still in the home, but facing the possibility of moving to an adult care facility. Those presently in such a facility who could return to the home environment if such a supplement were available may also apply.
For further information about the Special Assistance In-Home Demonstration Project, contact the Guilford County Department of Social Services at 641-4701 (Greensboro) or 845-7771 (High Point). |
