What is Utah's Aging Waiver?
The Medicaid Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older, usually called the Aging Waiver, is a Utah Medicaid 1915(c) waiver that provides services statewide to help older adults remain in their homes or other community settings as independently as possible.
It is administered through the Division of Aging and Adult Services and delivered locally by Area Agencies on Aging. In Salt Lake County that is Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services (385-468-3200); in Tooele County it is the Tooele County Health Department's Aging Services (435-277-2420).
Who qualifies for the Aging Waiver?
An applicant must be 65 or older, require a nursing facility level of care, and meet Utah Medicaid's financial eligibility requirements.
“Nursing facility level of care” is a functional test, not a diagnosis: it reflects how much help a person needs with daily activities and health care. Utah's Medicaid resource limit for aged, blind and disabled coverage is $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a two-person household under R414-305-3, with the usual exclusions such as a home and one vehicle. Income rules are applied by the Department of Workforce Services.
What services does the Aging Waiver pay for?
The Aging Waiver can pay for in-home and community services such as personal attendant care, homemaker and chore services, adult day health, respite for family caregivers, case management, emergency response systems, home modifications, supplemental meals and non-medical transportation.
- Adult companion services
- Adult day health
- Case management
- Chore services
- Emergency response systems
- Environmental accessibility adaptations
- Homemaker services
- Medication reminder systems
- Non-medical transportation
- Personal attendant services
- Respite care
- Supplemental meals
- Supportive maintenance home health aide
Participants receive only the services they are assessed to need. The waiver does not pay family members' wages by default or cover room and board anywhere.
Is there a waiting list for the Aging Waiver in Salt Lake County?
Yes. Utah DHHS states that the Aging Waiver serves a limited number of people and has a waiting list.
Because of the wait, apply early, even before services are urgently needed, and ask Aging & Adult Services about non-Medicaid programs that can bridge the gap, such as Meals on Wheels and caregiver support. The county runs Meals on Wheels enrollment through the same 385-468-3200 line.
How is the Aging Waiver different from the New Choices Waiver?
The Aging Waiver is for people 65 and older who are living at home and is run through the local Area Agency on Aging, with a waiting list; the New Choices Waiver is for adults 18 and older who are already long term in a nursing facility, assisted living or other licensed facility, and accepts those applicants year-round until its cap is met.
Some families use both over time: the Aging Waiver while a parent lives at home, then New Choices after a nursing facility or long assisted living stay. A case manager can tell you which path fits today.
At a glance
| The Aging Waiver is | The Aging Waiver is not | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Utahns 65+ needing nursing facility level of care at home | A program for assisted living rent |
| Run by | DAAS through local Area Agencies on Aging | A Medicare benefit |
| Access | Limited slots with a waiting list | Immediate once Medicaid is approved |
| Services | Only those assessed as needed | A cash allowance |
Sources include Utah Admin. Code R432-270, Utah DHHS and DLBC pages, Salt Lake County and DAAS pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
