What assisted living is called in New York, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.
Some assisted living residences are also certified as Special Needs Assisted Living Residences (SNALR) to serve people with special needs, such as Alzheimer's disease or other dementia. A SNALR has a plan for specialized services, environment, and staffing that the Department of Health approved.4
Questions to ask memory care about nights.
The median cost of assisted living in New York is $7,110 a month, above the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.
Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.
Medicaid. Medicaid can pay for services through the Assisted Living Program (ALP), which is only for people who qualify for nursing home care. Medicaid recipients must have ALP services approved ahead of time by the local social services district. Program: Assisted Living Program (ALP).2 Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.
Look up a license. Search adult care facilities by name, region or county, or type (adult home, enriched housing, ALR, EALR, SNALR, ALP) to find quality and safety information. Search New York’s records.5
Inspection reports. Each adult care facility must post its most recent inspection report in a public area of the facility. You can also request copies of inspection reports from the Department of Health through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.6
Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.
Complaints about care or conditions. The Department of Health's Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program takes complaints about adult care facilities and Assisted Living Programs by online form or hotline, weekdays 8:30am to 4:45pm. You can stay anonymous. A separate form sends concerns to the ombudsman. Call 1-866-893-6772 or file online.1
The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. find your local ombudsman.7
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Medicaid can pay for services through the Assisted Living Program (ALP), which is only for people who qualify for nursing home care. Medicaid recipients must have ALP services approved ahead of time by the local social services district. Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living.
The median is $7,110 a month (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025), compared with $6,200 nationally.
New York State Department of Health.
The Department of Health's Adult Care Facility Centralized Complaint Intake Program takes complaints about adult care facilities and Assisted Living Programs by online form or hotline, weekdays 8:30am to 4:45pm. You can stay anonymous. A separate form sends concerns to the ombudsman. Phone: 1-866-893-6772.
Search adult care facilities by name, region or county, or type (adult home, enriched housing, ALR, EALR, SNALR, ALP) to find quality and safety information.
Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.
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