COPES Waiver Washington State: In-Home and Residential Care (2026)
COPES (Community Options Program Entry System) is Washington's Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services waiver. It pays for personal care, adult day health, respite, and other long-term care services for people who need a nursing facility level of care but want to remain at home, in an adult family home, or in an assisted living community.
Last updated: June 2026 — figures change yearly; confirm with DSHS before applying.
What Does COPES Pay For?
COPES is an HCBS (Home & Community-Based Services) waiver — an alternative to nursing home placement. It can cover:
- Personal care and attendant services at home
- Adult day health
- Residential care in a licensed adult family home
- Residential care in a licensed assisted living community
- Respite care for family caregivers
- Home modifications, assistive technology, and some nursing services
COPES does not pay for room and board in a nursing home — residents needing that level of care use Nursing Home Medicaid instead.
Who Qualifies for COPES?
To receive COPES, a person must meet all three of the following:
- Apple Health (Medicaid) financial eligibility — income and assets must be within the limits below.
- Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC) — a DSHS assessment must determine the person requires the level of care typically provided in a nursing facility, even if they remain in a community setting.
- A slot must be available — COPES is a waiver program with a capped number of slots. When slots are full, applicants are placed on a waitlist.
2026 Financial Eligibility Limits
| Rule | Single | Married (with community spouse) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly income limit | ~$994/mo | ~$1,491/mo for the applicant |
| Countable asset limit | $2,000 | $3,000 for the applicant |
| Community Spouse Resource Allowance | N/A | At-home spouse keeps up to $72,529; if joint assets exceed $145,058, keeps 50% up to a max of $162,660 |
| Home | Exempt if equity ≤ $1,130,000 (2026) and a spouse/dependent lives there, or owner files intent to return | |
The Catches — What Most Sites Don't Tell You
Washington has approximately 62,450 COPES slots per year (2026). When those slots are full, new applicants are placed on a waitlist. Waitlist times vary by county and can be significant. Apply as early as possible — do not wait until a crisis.
Transferring assets — including a home — for less than fair market value within the 60 months (5 years) before applying can trigger a penalty period: a delay in when COPES benefits begin, calculated from the size of the transfer. The penalty is not asset seizure — it is a delay in eligibility. Always consult a Washington elder-law attorney before any asset transfer.
Washington's Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP) can seek reimbursement from the estate of a COPES recipient age 55 or older — but only after death, and only against assets that pass through probate. Recovery is exempt if a surviving spouse, child under 21, or disabled child survives.
How to Apply for COPES
- Contact DSHS Home & Community Services — Call 1-877-345-0256 or apply online at Washington Connection ↗.
- DSHS will schedule a functional assessment — A case manager visits to determine whether you meet Nursing Facility Level of Care.
- Financial eligibility is reviewed — You will need to document income, assets, and any transfers made in the prior 60 months.
- If a slot is available, services begin — If slots are full, you are placed on the waitlist and notified when one opens.
Rules change annually. Confirm current limits and process with DSHS or a Washington elder-law attorney before making financial decisions.
Find COPES-Accepting Facilities in Washington
COPES can pay for care in licensed adult family homes and assisted living communities that accept Medicaid residents. Browse our directory — each listing shows whether the facility accepts Medicaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does COPES pay for in Washington State?
COPES (Community Options Program Entry System) is Washington's Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services waiver. It pays for personal care and attendant services at home, adult day health, respite care, and residential care in licensed adult family homes and assisted living communities. COPES does not pay for room and board in a nursing home — nursing home residents use Nursing Home Medicaid instead.
How long is the COPES waitlist in Washington?
COPES has approximately 62,450 funded slots per year (2026). When those slots are full, new applicants are placed on a waitlist. Waitlist times vary by county and can range from weeks to months depending on local demand. Apply as early as possible — do not wait for a care crisis. Contact DSHS Home & Community Services at 1-877-345-0256 to apply and check current waitlist status.
What are the income and asset limits for COPES in 2026?
COPES uses the same Apple Health (Medicaid) financial limits as other long-term care programs. For a single applicant: income limit approximately $994/month, countable asset limit $2,000. For a married couple: $3,000 in countable assets for the applicant; the at-home spouse keeps up to $72,529 under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (up to $162,660 if joint assets exceeded $145,058). The home is exempt if equity is at or below $1,130,000 (2026) and a spouse or dependent lives there, or the applicant files intent to return home.
Does COPES pay for adult family homes in Washington?
Yes. COPES can pay for care in a licensed adult family home if the resident meets Apple Health (Medicaid) financial eligibility and Nursing Facility Level of Care, and a COPES slot is available. The adult family home must be contracted with DSHS to accept Medicaid residents. Browse our directory to find Medicaid-accepting adult family homes across Washington.