Free senior care guidance for Nassau and Suffolk County families. No cost to you, ever.
Call (934) 200-2603
Long Island Senior Advisor

New York's Assisted Living Program (ALP), Explained

The Assisted Living Program (ALP) is New York's Medicaid pathway that pays for care services inside a licensed Adult Home or Enriched Housing Program.

Home›State Rules›New York's Assisted Living Program (ALP), Explained
Short answer

New York's Assisted Living Program (ALP) is the Medicaid-funded program that pays for care services inside a licensed Adult Home or Enriched Housing Program, for residents who are medically eligible for nursing home placement but can be served in a less medically intensive, lower-cost setting.

What ALP actually covers

ALP, regulated under 18 NYCRR Part 494, covers personal care, housekeeping, supervision, home health aides, personal emergency response systems, nursing, physical/occupational/speech therapy, medical supplies and equipment, adult day health care, home health services, and RN case management -- all delivered inside the ACF.

ALP does not function as a standalone cash voucher; it operates through specific ACFs that participate in the program. Not every Adult Home or Enriched Housing Program on Long Island offers ALP beds, so ask directly whether a specific community participates and whether it currently has ALP capacity.

How to apply

Start with your county's Office for the Aging -- Nassau at 516-227-8900 or Suffolk at 631-853-8200 -- or NY Connects, which can screen for ALP eligibility alongside Managed Long Term Care and the NHTD waiver.

Source: NYSDOH Adult Care Facilities program page

Questions families ask

Is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program free, and does it cost anything to file a complaint?

Yes. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, independent advocacy service - there is no cost to contact Suffolk's coordinator (631-470-6755), Nassau's coordinator (516-466-9718), or the statewide hotline (1-855-582-6769). The program is publicly funded and administratively housed within the NY State Office for the Aging specifically so it can operate independently of the facilities it may be investigating.

How do I report suspected elder abuse or neglect in Nassau County?

Contact Nassau County Adult Protective Services at 516-227-8395, housed within the Nassau County Department of Social Services' Office of Adult Services at 60 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale. For after-hours emergencies, Nassau County DSS operates a separate after-hours line at 516-573-8626.

How do I report suspected elder abuse or neglect in Suffolk County?

Contact Suffolk County Adult Protective Services directly at 631-854-3232. This is the county's confirmed direct referral line, housed within the Suffolk County Department of Social Services. For emergencies after 4:30pm on weekdays, or on weekends and holidays, Suffolk County DSS operates a separate after-hours or emergency services line at 631-854-9100.

Who actually investigates elder abuse reports in New York - a state agency or the county?

Adult Protective Services (APS) in New York is administered at the county level, through each county's Department of Social Services, consistent with the state's general structure of county-administered social services under state oversight. In Nassau County, APS operates through the Department of Social Services' Office of Adult Services (516-227-8395); in Suffolk County, it operates through the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (631-854-3232).

What happens after I make an Adult Protective Services report in Suffolk County?

Suffolk County APS caseworkers investigate allegations of abuse or neglect of impaired adults living in the community who depend on others for basic needs, and per the county's own published FAQ, caseworkers have 60 days to complete an assessment after intake. The investigation determines whether the person meets APS criteria and what services or protective interventions may be needed.

Not sure where to start?

Answer five questions and a local advisor will come back with senior care options in your area that actually fit your situation and budget. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Find care options
Find senior care — free