If you or your family member is on MaineCare and needs a ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility changes at home, help may be available. Maine's Section 19 waiver can pay for these modifications. MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program, is run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Within DHHS, the Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) operates the waiver.
What Maine offers#
Maine's Section 19 waiver, officially the Home and Community Benefits waiver serving Mainers age 65+ and adults with disabilities, is often called Maine's Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver. It is a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. It serves Mainers age 65 and older, and adults 18 and older with a physical disability, who meet a hospital or nursing-facility level of care.
The waiver covers home modifications under a benefit category called Environmental Modifications. In practice, this is what pays for ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, roll-in showers, and similar accessibility changes. One procedural detail matters before you hire anyone: every Environmental Modification request needs advance authorization from the department or its Assessing Services Agency (ASA) before work begins. Plan to get that sign-off first, then start construction.
Amounts and eligibility#
Maine does not publish a specific dollar cap for Environmental Modifications. This is verified against maine.gov, July 2026. A February 2026 waiver amendment updated the monthly and annual limits on combined waiver services in the MaineCare Benefits Manual's appendices, but the notice itself does not disclose that number, and it was not found published elsewhere. Confirm your own limit with OADS.
For financial eligibility, Maine uses the same special income rule as the federal standard: income up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rate, which is $2,982 a month in 2026. This income figure is verified against maine.gov, July 2026.
Maine's asset rule is where this state stands out. Instead of the standard SSI resource limit of $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, used in most other states, Maine sets a higher resource limit: $10,000 for a single applicant and $15,000 for a married couple where both spouses are applicants. This asset limit is verified against maine.gov, July 2026. Maine's higher limit is a genuine advantage, worth double-checking before you rule yourself out.
Only DHHS and OADS decide whether you qualify. Nothing here is a guarantee of eligibility.
How to apply in Maine#
Applying is a two-step process. First, apply for MaineCare itself. You can apply online through My Maine Connection, by phone through the Office for Family Independence at 855-797-4357, or in person at a district DHHS office. Second, contact your regional Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) office to complete the required medical and level-of-care review, which determines whether you meet the nursing-facility level of care the waiver requires.
Set realistic expectations on timing: the overall MaineCare determination process can take up to roughly three months. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback if you need help finding broader local aging services while you wait.
Because the waiver has a limited number of program participant slots, a waitlist may form once those slots are full, with access determined by application date and need. No current published wait-time or count is available, so confirm current waitlist status directly with OADS when you apply rather than relying on a number you saw elsewhere.
MaineCare pays for waiver services on a fee-for-service basis rather than through managed care organizations. The state pays providers directly, and Medicare-linked service codes are currently reimbursed at 72.4% of 2026 Medicare rates. Maine's legislature has discussed a future move toward managed care, but that has not been implemented as of this writing.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, also check VA housing grant programs alongside MaineCare. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing can fund larger construction projects and may work alongside your waiver benefit. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but this is plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled Section 19 waiver paperwork. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid HCBS waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does MaineCare pay for home modifications like wheelchair ramps or grab bars?#
Yes. Maine's Section 19 waiver covers Environmental Modifications, which includes ramps, grab bars, and similar accessibility changes. Every request needs advance authorization from the department or its Assessing Services Agency before work begins.
What is the Section 19 Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver and who is eligible?#
It is a MaineCare HCBS waiver for adults 65 and older, and adults 18 and older with a physical disability, who meet a hospital or nursing-facility level of care. The Office of Aging and Disability Services administers it.
Is there an asset limit for Maine's Medicaid waiver, and is it different from other states?#
Yes, and it is higher than most states. Maine sets the resource limit at $10,000 for a single applicant and $15,000 for a married couple where both spouses are applicants, rather than the standard SSI limit of $2,000 or $3,000 used elsewhere.
How do I apply for MaineCare's Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver?#
Apply for MaineCare first, online through My Maine Connection, by phone at 855-797-4357, or at a district DHHS office. Then contact your regional Office of Aging and Disability Services office to complete the required level-of-care review.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Find verified Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Maine → Our wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you budget while your application is pending.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.