SC Medicaid waivers
Community Choices & CLTC
South Carolina's Medicaid waivers can cover personal care, homemaker services, and respite for eligible seniors who would otherwise need nursing-home care.
The South Carolina guide
How to pay for in-home senior care in South Carolina.
Medicaid, VA benefits, what Medicare actually covers, long-term care insurance, and what private pay really costs in 2026 — explained in plain English.
Quick answer
Most SC families use a mix: SC Medicaid waivers if income-eligible, VA Aid & Attendance for veterans, LTC insurance if a policy exists, and private pay for everything else. Medicare alone almost never covers ongoing in-home care.
Four ways families pay
Most people use more than one.
You don't have to figure this out alone. We'll sit down with you, look at what you qualify for, and build a plan that actually works — at no cost to you.
VA benefits
Aid & Attendance
Wartime veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for an added monthly VA pension that can pay for in-home caregivers.
Long-term care insurance
LTC policies
Most modern LTC policies reimburse non-medical home care once an elimination period is met. We help families read the benefit summary.
Private pay
Out of pocket
The most flexible option — choose any schedule, any caregiver, no eligibility paperwork. Often combined with other sources.
Does Medicare cover home care?
The short answer: mostly no.
This is the single biggest misunderstanding we hear from families. Medicare is health insurance — it pays for medical care, not long-term help at home. Here's what that actually means.
What Medicare does cover
Short-term, doctor-ordered skilled home health — nursing visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy — usually after a hospital stay and for a limited window.
What Medicare does NOT cover
Ongoing personal care, bathing, dressing, meal prep, light housekeeping, companionship, or 24-hour care. These are the services most families actually need.
Medicare Advantage exceptions
Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans now offer a limited in-home support benefit. Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage or call the member line.
Private-pay benchmarks
How much does in-home care cost in SC?
These are typical 2026 ranges across South Carolina. Your actual rate depends on hours, location, and the level of care needed.
Sources: Genworth Cost of Care Survey, SC market data.
- Companion / homemaker care$26 – $28 / hr
- Personal care (bathing, transfers)$28 – $32 / hr
- Overnight care (8–10 hr shift)$240 – $300 / night
- 24-hour live-in / around-the-clock$550 – $750 / day
- Typical 40 hrs/week≈ $4,400 – $5,200 / mo
South Carolina Medicaid
Getting approved, step by step.
The Community Choices and CLTC waivers are the most common path for SC seniors who need help at home.
- Step 01
Confirm financial eligibility
In 2026, SC Medicaid long-term care generally requires monthly income under roughly $2,901 (individual) and countable assets under $2,000. Limits change yearly — verify with SC DHHS.
- Step 02
Request a level-of-care screening
Call Community Long Term Care (CLTC) at 803-898-2590 or your county DHHS office to request a nursing-facility level-of-care assessment.
- Step 03
Choose your waiver & provider
Once approved, a case manager helps you pick services and a Medicaid-enrolled home care agency. Pleasantville Home Care accepts SC Medicaid.
- Step 04
Start care
Care typically begins within 1–2 weeks of approval. Your case manager reviews the plan annually.
For veterans
VA benefits that pay for home care.
If you or your spouse served, there are real benefits most families never claim. Worth a phone call to check.
Aid & Attendance pension
An added monthly amount on top of the basic VA pension for wartime veterans (or surviving spouses) who need help with daily activities. In 2026, married veterans can receive up to roughly $3,261/month.
Homemaker & Home Health Aide
A VA-funded program that sends a trained aide to a veteran's home for personal care and homemaker services. Coordinated through the VA medical center's geriatrics team.
Veteran-Directed Care
Gives the veteran a flexible monthly budget to hire their own caregiver — including, in some cases, a family member.
Free consultationNot sure what you qualify for?
Not sure what you qualify for?
Let's walk through it together.
We accept Private Pay, Medicaid, VA, and Workers' Comp — and we'll help you figure out which sources can cover your care. No pressure, no cost.