If you or your family member is on MassHealth and needs a ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility work, the Frail Elder Waiver (FEW) may help pay for it. MassHealth is run by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The waiver itself operates through the Executive Office of Aging & Independence and regional Aging Services Access Points, known as ASAPs. This guide explains what FEW covers, who qualifies, and how to apply in Massachusetts.
What Massachusetts offers#
For adults 60 and older who meet nursing-facility level of care but want to remain in the community, MassHealth runs the Frail Elder Waiver under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act. FEW lists Environmental Accessibility Adaptation as a covered service. These are physical changes to a home that help a person live there safely and independently, along with Transitional Assistance for people moving out of a facility.
Your local ASAP assigns a case manager who builds a Comprehensive Service Plan with you. Home modifications get written into that plan, and the ASAP must confirm the costs are reasonable before authorizing the work.
Massachusetts also runs the Moving Forward Program, a separate set of waivers for people moving from a nursing facility back into the community. It is worth knowing the name exists, but FEW is the waiver most people use for home modifications while already living at home.
Amounts and eligibility#
MassHealth does not publish a standard dollar cap for Environmental Accessibility Adaptation on its FEW pages. Instead, your ASAP case manager authorizes adaptations through your individual service plan, using a cost-reasonableness standard rather than a fixed number. Checked against mass.gov FEW pages, July 2026.
Financial eligibility is published plainly, which is not true in every state. You generally need monthly income under 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefit Rate. In 2026 that rate is $994, so the income limit works out to $2,982 per month. Total countable assets must be under $2,000. You also need to be 60 or older and meet a nursing-facility level of care, determined through a clinical assessment by your ASAP.
Only MassHealth and your ASAP decide whether you meet these criteria. Nothing in this article is a guarantee of eligibility.
Adults under 60 with disabilities are not covered by FEW. MassOptions can point you toward the right MassHealth program instead, since Moving Forward is limited to people leaving a nursing facility.
How to apply in Massachusetts#
Start by contacting your regional Aging Services Access Point to request a clinical eligibility assessment. You can find your ASAP through MassOptions at 800-243-4636, or online at massoptions.org. One phone call is usually enough to get the process started.
Your ASAP case manager handles the assessment, then builds your Comprehensive Service Plan if you qualify. Home modifications are authorized as part of that plan, so gather details about what accessibility changes your home needs before your assessment call. Photos and a general description of the problem areas help the case manager plan the visit.
No official waitlist figures are published for FEW, since enrollment is gated by assessment rather than a queue. Timelines vary by region and by how quickly your assessment and paperwork move, so ask your ASAP case manager directly about their current pace.
For general help finding programs beyond MassHealth, MassOptions also connects you to the wider aging services network in Massachusetts. The federal Eldercare Locator, eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116, is a national fallback if you need help outside the state system.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside MassHealth. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing can fund larger projects and may combine with MassHealth coverage. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits like grab bars or ramps, but coverage is plan-specific with no standard amount. Call your plan directly to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled Frail Elder 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 waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does MassHealth pay for home modifications like ramps or grab bars?#
Yes. The Frail Elder Waiver covers Environmental Accessibility Adaptation for people who meet its eligibility rules. Your ASAP case manager includes approved modifications in your Comprehensive Service Plan.
What are the income and asset limits for the Frail Elder Waiver in 2026?#
Monthly income must be under $2,982, which is 300% of the 2026 SSI Federal Benefit Rate. Total countable assets must be under $2,000. You must also be 60 or older and meet a nursing-facility level of care.
How do I apply for the Frail Elder Waiver in Massachusetts?#
Contact your regional Aging Services Access Point through MassOptions at 800-243-4636 or massoptions.org. They arrange a clinical eligibility assessment and build your service plan once you are approved.
Can adults under 60 get home modification help through MassHealth?#
The Frail Elder Waiver is limited to people 60 and older. Adults under 60 with disabilities should call MassOptions, which can route you to the MassHealth program that fits your situation.
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. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while you wait to hear back.
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.