Written and reviewed by the SavedNest Editorial Team · See how we source and verify this
Written and reviewed by the SavedNest Editorial Team · See how we source and verify this
Washington runs a lesser-known program with a dramatically higher asset limit for people who don't yet need intensive care — worth knowing about before assuming you're not eligible for anything.
Washington's standard HCBS waiver, COPES, uses the familiar $2,000 asset limit. But the state also runs a second program — TSOA (Tailored Supports for Older Adults) — with an asset limit of $84,354 for a single applicant. That's over 40 times higher.
| COPES | TSOA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 asset limit (single) | $2,000 | $84,354 |
| Benefit level | Full range of HCBS services | Capped around $830/month |
| Who it's for | Those needing nursing-facility-level care | Those with more savings, lower current need |
Source: Washington Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA), DSHS; figures effective 2026.
COPES (Community Options Program Entry System) covers personal care, skilled nursing, adult day services, home modifications, and emergency response systems for seniors and disabled adults needing nursing-facility-level care. It's administered by ALTSA and is not an entitlement — enrollment is capped at roughly 62,450 slots per year, and waitlists can form once slots fill.
Washington has several similar-sounding but distinct programs: Medicaid Personal Care (a lower-bar state plan benefit, fewer services), New Freedom (a self-directed monthly budget, available only in certain counties), and Community First Choice (a state plan option overlapping with COPES). Which one actually fits your situation depends on your specific needs — worth asking a caseworker directly rather than assuming.
Washington's Medically Needy program lets you spend down excess income on medical expenses to meet the $994/month limit — and unlike some states, you can choose a 3- or 6-month spend-down period, giving you some flexibility in how this is structured.
A program with an $84,354 asset limit, over 40 times higher than standard waivers, offering a capped ~$830/month benefit for those with more savings and lower current care needs.
COPES serves those needing nursing-facility-level care with a standard $2,000 asset limit; TSOA serves those with more savings and lower needs, with a smaller capped benefit.
No — eliminated entirely as of 2026, only income is checked now.
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