Daily Living
The Long-Term Care Subsidy Program: Paying for a Nursing Home
PEI's LTC Subsidy Program bases your room-and-board subsidy on last year's CRA Notice of Assessment, and you can't apply for it until you're already approved for long-term care placement. Here's the exact sequence.
1. Two Separate Applications, in a Fixed Order
The medical approval for long-term care and the financial subsidy for paying for it are two entirely separate applications. You cannot apply for the subsidy first; Home Care must approve you for LTC placement before the subsidy application is even given to you.
2. Who Qualifies for the Subsidy
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| LTC approval | Already determined eligible for long-term care placement by Home Care |
| Net income | Under $44,250.40 (based on your prior year's CRA Notice of Assessment) |
| Other coverage | Must have used and been denied other available assistance first, e.g., private insurance or Veterans Affairs Canada benefits, where applicable |
3. What It Actually Covers
The subsidy helps pay your accommodation costs, meaning room and board at the LTC home, it isn't a blanket payment covering every expense. The subsidy amount is calculated directly from your net income as reported on your prior year's tax return.
4. Step-by-Step Process
- Contact your local Home Care office to discuss LTC placement (see the companion Long-Term Care article for regional contacts).
- If Home Care assesses you as needing LTC, they provide you with the LTC Subsidy application form directly.
- Complete the form using your prior year's Notice of Assessment from the CRA.
- Submit the completed application to the LTC Subsidy Office. If applying from hospital, your healthcare team assists with this step.
- A Financial Assessment Worker reviews your documents. If anything is missing, you have 30 days to provide it, or your application is cancelled.
- Once approved, Health PEI pays your approved subsidy amount directly to the LTC home, not to you.
5. The Drug Coverage That Comes Bundled In
If you qualify for any amount of accommodation subsidy, you're automatically eligible to enroll in the Nursing Home Drug Program (NHDP), which covers prescription drugs for eligible LTC residents, replacing your regular Seniors' Drug Program coverage once you move in.
6. Who to Contact
- LTC Subsidy Office: 902-218-3891, or ltcsubsidy@ihis.org
- Applications are financial assessments only; the medical/placement side stays with your Home Care office and Care Coordinator throughout.