How Families Pay for Shared Living
Shared living is a covered Medicaid service that helps families make home possible
When families first learn about shared living, one of the biggest questions they ask is simple:
How do we pay for this?
The answer might surprise you—in most cases, shared living is a covered Medicaid service, accessed through something called a Developmental Disabilities Waiver. These waivers vary by state and circumstance, but the goal is the same everywhere: to help individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities live safely, meaningfully, and independently in the community rather than in a facility.
At Alora, we help families navigate that process from the very beginning, so they can focus less on paperwork and more on what matters most—finding the right home and the right match.
Understanding How It Works
A Medicaid waiver is a program that “waives” certain institutional requirements so funding can instead follow the person into their chosen home and community setting. For shared living, that means Medicaid helps cover the cost of care and support provided in a host home environment.
Each state manages its waiver system a little differently. The eligibility criteria, covered services, and reimbursement structures may vary, but the purpose is universal: to create real options for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities to live where they feel most at home.
When a family is connected to Alora, we work closely with case managers, service coordinators, and local agencies to ensure that every detail—from eligibility paperwork to provider setup—is handled with care and accuracy. It’s not always simple, but it’s deeply worthwhile.
What Families Should Know
While Medicaid is the primary funding source for shared living, families often have questions about what exactly it covers. Generally, the waiver funds the support services provided in the home—things like daily living assistance, community engagement, transportation, and medication management.
Other costs, like personal spending, food preferences, or recreational outings, are typically covered by the individual or their family. But each situation is unique, and part of our role at Alora is helping everyone understand where the lines are drawn—and where there’s room to personalize the experience.
For families new to the process, our team can also help clarify how shared living compares to other models—like group homes or supported living—so they can make informed choices that align with their loved one’s needs and preferences.
Beyond the Funding: What Families Receive
Shared living isn’t just a service—it’s a relationship. The financial framework helps make that relationship sustainable, but what families really gain is peace of mind.
They know their loved one is living in a home that feels like home—with people who care about them, routines that bring comfort, and supports that evolve with their needs.
And because Alora partners directly with both families and providers, we ensure that every part of the system—from payments to compliance—runs smoothly in the background, allowing the focus to stay where it belongs: on people, not paperwork.
This is what belonging can look like.
For families, understanding how shared living is funded is often the first step toward seeing what’s possible. Medicaid waivers make it financially feasible—but Alora helps make it personal, relational, and real.
We’ll help you every step of the way.
Come on in.
