Senior Living Apartments in Albuquerque, NM

Eligible Albuquerque senior veterans may be able to receive assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for cost of living and long-term care. Veterans pension benefits and the Aid and Attendance benefit can help senior veterans and their surviving spouses improve their quality of life with supplemental income.

Aid and Attendance benefit

Aid and Attendance may be added to a veteran’s pension to be used as they choose. A veteran’s surviving spouse may also qualify for this benefit. They must already be receiving a VA pension or apply for one at the same time they apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit.

Veterans Service Officers

The approval process for the Aid and Attendance benefit can be difficult, and approval usually requires assistance or advocacy. New Mexico residents can receive assistance from veteran service officers (VSOs) by visiting one of The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Affairs field offices located throughout the state. Veteran service officers are fellow veterans who are familiar with benefits offerings and can help veterans get the most out of their eligibility.

Additional assistance with VA benefits

For assistance with finding veterans benefits, New Mexico residents can contact the local VA office or check out the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services webpage. The New Mexico Judiciary Branch offers information on additional community resources for veterans, such as food and assistance, medical centers, housing assistance, rehabilitation, and more. New Mexico also has specialized departments for aiding veterans of foreign wars and for veterans with disabilities.

Medicaid is federal- and state-funded medical insurance for those with low incomes or disabilities. New Mexico’s Medicaid program is called Centennial Care. While each state’s Medicaid program varies, all Medicaid programs must follow federal guidelines.

Note that to receive benefits, you must be enrolled in a Centennial Care Managed Care Organization (MCO) and the agency providing the care services must be contracted with that MCO. Read the Centennial Care Community Benefit brochure to understand more about this program that can provide care in your chosen place of residence.

Home and Community Based Services waivers

Medicaid programs will not cover the cost of rent in a senior living community. However, New Mexico residents in senior apartments may be able to receive financial support with care services through Home and Community Based Services waivers.

Home and Community Based Services waivers are designed to cover care for those in need of a nursing facility level of care, but choose to live in the community instead of in a skilled nursing facility. Eligible seniors can use this benefit while living at home — whether that be in a senior apartment community, with a loved one, or even in assisted living. New Mexico’s HCBS waiver program is offered through the Centennial Care Community Benefit, also known as Community Benefit. Community Benefit can be used to cover costs of services, such as the following:

• Medical care services
• Adult day services
• Personal care services, such as assistance with activities of daily living
• Home modifications, such as support railings, wheelchair ramps, emergency call systems, etc.^[03]

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

New Mexico residents aged 55 or older who are receiving Medicaid can also take advantage of the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE. Through PACE, eligible seniors can have all of their care services coordinated into a comprehensive care plan. New Mexico’s PACE program is also known as InnovAge New Mexico PACE. To be eligible, seniors must require a nursing facility level of support but remain living in their place of residences, such as in their own home or senior apartment, the home of a loved one, or an assisted living facility or group home.^[04]

Albuquerque residents can manage their care through the New Mexico Human Services Department (NMHSD) and the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALSTD). The ALSTD has several Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) where New Mexico residents can receive additional support with Medicare, Medicaid, and other services.

Medicare health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of senior apartments. Medicare can be used to cover in-home care, provided that it is medically necessary for short-term medical conditions. You can find more information on Medicare costs and coverage by visiting the federal Medicare website or by reaching out to one of your local Albuquerque Social Security Administration offices. Qualified seniors may get help paying for Medicare deductibles and premiums through Medicare Savings Programs.

Medicare is a federally funded program designed to extend health coverage to Americans 65 or older and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Medicare has multiple parts that cover different aspects of health care, such as the following:

• Inpatient hospital stays or skilled nursing care
• Doctors’ services, medical services, and medical supplies
• Prescription medications

New Mexico also has a program known as New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool (NMMIP) for individuals who are unable to qualify for insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.

The U.S. Social Security Administration can help seniors receive access to Medicare support. You may be able to dual enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, which will enable you to pay Medicare premiums using Medicaid benefits. A local long-term care (LTC) ombudsman can help your loved one access the benefits they qualify for and advocate for their rights. An LTC ombudsman can also investigate complaints of residents of long-term care and ensure that seniors receive the quality of care they deserve. Find links to these resources below.

Lower-income Albuquerque residents can apply for assistance from the Albuquerque Housing Authority, including the Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) Program. Not all senior apartment communities accept Section 8 vouchers, so be sure to check with the community itself.

Seniors may also be able to offset the costs of their rent by using Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). The difference between SSI and SSDI, and which a person will apply for, has to do with work history. For a senior to qualify for either, they must meet strict medical and financial criteria. The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department features resources for Albuquerque seniors with disabilities who need assistance in taking full advantage of the support services available to them.

You may qualify for SSI if you are over 65, blind, or disabled and if you meet the low-income requirements. To qualify for SSDI, you must have eligibility for SSI as well as work history credits as defined by the Social Security’s specific parameters. These may help cover rent in a senior apartment, depending on your eligibility and the community itself.

Social Security Benefits

Social Security is designed to provide monthly income to retired workers over the age of 65. If you’ve been gainfully employed in the United States, you may be eligible for one or more types of Social Security benefits.

Social Security Retirement benefit. Social Security in retirement (also known as Social Security Retirement benefit/SSR) is designed to replace a portion of your income when you retire.

Social Security Disability Insurance. Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI) is an assistance program for individuals who have a work history but who are unable to continue working due to a disability.

Supplemental Security Income. Supplemental Security Income (or SSI) is an assistance program specifically for those who do not have a work history and who either have a disability, are blindness, or are aged 65+.

Social Security survivors benefits. Social Security survivors pension assists those who are the dependents (such as a spouse or children) of a deceased person who qualified for Social Security benefits.