The Maryland Personal Care Program, officially known as the Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) Program, is a vital resource for Maryland residents needing support with daily living activities. This program is specifically designed to assist the elderly and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to remain living comfortably and safely in their own homes and communities. By offering assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), the Maryland Personal Care Program plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for its participants. These essential services include support with bathing, personal hygiene, dressing, mobility, meal preparation, eating, and light housekeeping, ensuring that participants can maintain their independence and well-being at home.
Benefits of the Maryland Personal Care Program
The Maryland Personal Care Program delivers a range of significant benefits designed to meet the diverse needs of its participants. These benefits are structured to provide comprehensive support, ensuring individuals receive the necessary care to live independently and with dignity. The core benefits include:
- Personal Assistance Services: Direct support with ADLs and IADLs, such as bathing, grooming, toileting, mobility, meal preparation, and light housekeeping. This hands-on assistance is the cornerstone of the program, addressing the daily challenges faced by participants.
- Nurse Monitoring: Professional oversight of the personal care services provided. Nurse monitoring ensures the quality and appropriateness of care, offering an added layer of safety and accountability.
- Supports Planning: Guidance and support in navigating self-direction options and accessing various services, including resources beyond Medicaid. This aspect empowers participants to take control of their care and connect with a broader network of support.
In addition to these primary benefits, individuals enrolled in the Maryland Personal Care Program may also qualify for other Maryland Medicaid services. These may include physician visits, hospital care, home health services, laboratory work, durable medical equipment, and necessary medical supplies, offering a holistic approach to healthcare.
While the program supports beneficiaries residing in adult foster care homes, it’s important to note that the Maryland Personal Care Program does not cover expenses for room and board in these settings. The focus remains on providing personal care services to enable independent living.
Eligibility Requirements for Maryland Personal Care Program
To be eligible for the Maryland Personal Care Program, applicants must be residents of Maryland and meet specific criteria related to Medicaid eligibility and functional needs. The program is available to Maryland residents of all ages who qualify for Maryland’s State Medicaid Plan, also known as Medical Assistance, or the Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Program, specifically for seniors. For elderly applicants (65+ years of age) in 2025, the following financial and medical criteria apply:
Financial Eligibility: Income, Assets, and Homeownership
Income Limits: For individual applicants, the monthly income limit is set at $350. For married couples, whether one or both spouses are applying, the combined monthly income limit is $392. Maryland residents who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically meet the income requirements for Medicaid / Medical Assistance, simplifying the eligibility process for this group.
It is important to note that the Maryland Personal Care Program does not incorporate spousal impoverishment protections, unlike some other Home and Community Based Services Medicaid programs. Programs like the Maryland Community Options Waiver offer allowances such as the Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance and the Community Spouse Resource Allowance, which are not applicable under the CPAS program.
Asset Limits: The asset limit for a single applicant is $2,500. For married couples, this limit is slightly increased to $3,000, regardless of whether one or both spouses are applying. Certain assets are considered exempt and are not counted towards these limits. Typically, these include the applicant’s primary residence, standard household furnishings, personal belongings, and a vehicle.
It’s also important to understand that while many Medicaid programs include a Look-Back Rule for asset transfers, the Maryland Personal Care Program does not. This simplifies financial planning for applicants as it removes the scrutiny of past asset transfers within a 60-month period, which is relevant for programs like Nursing Home Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services via Medicaid Waivers.
Home Ownership: The primary home is often a significant asset, and under the Maryland Personal Care Program, it is generally considered exempt or non-countable for Medicaid eligibility purposes. This exemption applies if the applicant or their spouse resides in the home. If neither the applicant nor their spouse lives in the home, the applicant must demonstrate an Intent to Return for the home to remain exempt. It should be noted that other Maryland Medicaid programs, such as the Community Options Waiver and Nursing Home Medicaid, may have additional requirements for home exemptions.
Medical Eligibility: Functional Need Requirements
Unlike many long-term care Medicaid programs that necessitate a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) need, the Maryland Personal Care Program has a less stringent medical requirement. To qualify for CPAS, an applicant must only demonstrate the need for assistance with at least one Activity of Daily Living (ADL). These ADLs are fundamental to daily self-care and include essential activities such as mobility, eating, toileting, bathing, dressing, and grooming. While a diagnosis of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias doesn’t automatically guarantee medical eligibility, individuals with these conditions often require ADL assistance, making them potentially eligible for the program.
For Maryland seniors who require personal care assistance and also meet a Nursing Facility Level of Care, the Community First Choice Program in Maryland may be a more suitable option. The Community First Choice Program offers a broader range of Home and Community Based Services and, like the Maryland Personal Care Program, does not have a waiting list for eligible participants.
Qualifying for Maryland Personal Care Program When Over Income/Asset Limits
Exceeding the income and/or asset limits for Maryland Medicaid doesn’t automatically disqualify an applicant from receiving benefits. Several Medicaid planning strategies are available to help individuals who might otherwise be ineligible to qualify for the Maryland Personal Care Program. These strategies range in complexity and can be tailored to individual financial situations.
Maryland offers a Medically Needy Spend-Down Program, which allows applicants with high medical expenses to become Medicaid eligible. This program enables individuals to use their “excess” income to cover medical expenses, including health insurance premiums like Medicare Part B, effectively meeting the Medicaid income limit.
For those with assets exceeding the limits, “spending down” excess assets is a viable strategy. This can involve using assets for permissible expenses such as paying off debts, funding home improvements (like necessary repairs or upgrades), or establishing Irrevocable Funeral Trusts for prepaid funeral and burial expenses. Another option is to convert excess assets into an income stream using a Medicaid-Compliant Annuity, which can reduce countable assets. Numerous other Medicaid planning techniques are available to help applicants manage assets and meet eligibility requirements.
However, it’s crucial to note that improper planning or incorrect implementation of Medicaid strategies can lead to application denials or delays in receiving Maryland Medicaid benefits. Consulting with a professional Medicaid Planner is highly recommended. These experts are knowledgeable about Maryland Medicaid’s specific rules and planning strategies and can provide guidance to navigate the financial eligibility criteria effectively and without jeopardizing Medicaid eligibility. Furthermore, while the Look-Back Rule does not apply to the Maryland Personal Care Program, it is relevant for other long-term care Medicaid programs like the Community Options Waiver and Nursing Home Medicaid. As future needs may require more extensive Medicaid-funded care, it is essential to avoid actions that could violate the Look-Back Rule. Ideally, Medicaid planning should be undertaken well in advance of needing long-term care. Medicaid Planners can offer valuable assistance in these situations.
How to Apply for the Maryland Personal Care Program
Steps Before Applying
Before starting the application process for the Maryland Personal Care Program, it is essential to confirm that you meet the Maryland Medicaid eligibility criteria. Applying while exceeding income and/or asset limits will likely result in denial of benefits. Utilizing a Medicaid Eligibility Test can be a helpful first step to assess potential eligibility.
As part of the application, gathering necessary documentation is crucial. This typically includes copies of Social Security cards, Medicare cards, life insurance policies, property deeds, pre-need burial contracts, bank statements from up to 60 months prior to application, and proof of income. Incomplete documentation or delays in submission are common reasons for application processing delays.
Maryland Personal Care Program Application Process
To apply for CPAS, individuals should reach out to the Office of Long Term Services and Supports at 410-767-1739 or Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 844-627-5465. Alternatively, you can contact your local MAP office directly. A functional needs assessment, conducted by the local health department, is a required part of the application process to evaluate the applicant’s care needs.
Further information about the Maryland Personal Care Program can be found on the Maryland Department of Health’s website. The Office of Long Term Services and Supports, under the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), is responsible for administering the CPAS Program.
Approval Timeline
The Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance) application process, from initial submission to receiving a determination letter, can take up to 3 months or possibly longer. Completing the application and gathering all supporting documents often takes several weeks. Applications that are incomplete or missing required documentation will experience further delays. Although federal law mandates Medicaid offices to review applications within 45 days (or up to 90 days for disability-based applications), actual processing times can sometimes exceed these guidelines.
