The New Choices Waiver is helping more Utah families afford residential assisted living in small, home-like settings like Holladay Home. If you’re in the Salt Lake Valley or Holladay area and think this waiver could make quality care more accessible for your loved one, the application process is straightforward—but it helps to know the steps ahead of time.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide based on how we help families every day. (Note: Rules and forms can change slightly, so always confirm current details with us or the state.)
Step 1: Confirm Basic Eligibility
Before applying, check if your loved one might qualify. The New Choices Waiver generally requires:
- Age 65+ or meeting disability criteria
- Needing a “nursing facility level of care” (help with 2–3 activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility, eating, or medication management)
- Income and assets within Utah Medicaid guidelines (higher limits than traditional Medicaid—often around $2,829/month income for an individual in 2026, with allowances for home, car, and certain savings)
- Willingness to live in a licensed residential assisted living home (like ours)
If this sounds possible, reach out to us—we can give you a quick sense of whether it’s worth pursuing based on what you share.
Step 2: Contact Holladay Home First
We make this easy. Call or email us at (801) 277-8371 or holladayhome1@gmail.com and say you’re interested in the New Choices Waiver. We’ll:
- Answer your questions about how the waiver works with our rates
- Explain what portion of costs it typically covers here
- Help you understand if your loved one’s situation aligns with eligibility
- Guide you on the next steps and paperwork
Many families start here because we know the process and can save you time.
Step 3: Request an Eligibility Screening
We’ll help you contact the right office to start the official screening. This includes:
- A financial eligibility review (income/assets)
- A level-of-care assessment (to confirm nursing facility-level needs)
We can coordinate this for you—often a nurse or case manager will visit your loved one (at home or during a tour here) to complete the assessment.
Step 4: Submit Required Documents
You’ll need to provide:
- Proof of income (Social Security statements, pension, etc.)
- Bank statements and asset information
- Proof of age (birth certificate or driver’s license)
- Medical records or doctor’s notes (if available)
We can give you a checklist and help you gather what’s needed. Many documents can be submitted electronically or by mail.
Step 5: Wait for Approval
Processing times vary but typically take 45–90 days. During this time:
- We can hold a room for your loved one if needed (ask us about our waitlist/reservation policy)
- We’ll stay in touch and update you on any requests for more information
Once approved, the waiver is retroactive to the application date in many cases, which can help with initial costs.
Step 6: Move-In and Care Plan Meeting
After approval:
- We schedule a move-in date
- We hold a care plan meeting with you, your loved one, and our staff to finalize personalized support
- The waiver payments begin, and your loved one’s Social Security or other income covers any remaining share
Tips for a Smooth Process
- Start early — even if you’re just exploring, getting on the waitlist or starting paperwork now prevents delays later.
- Keep records organized — digital copies of everything help.
- Ask us anything — we’ve walked dozens of families through this and can answer questions about timing, costs, and what to expect.
The New Choices Waiver has made it possible for many Salt Lake families to choose a warm, small assisted living home like Holladay Home instead of staying home alone or moving to a larger facility.
Ready to see if the New Choices Waiver could work for your loved one? Contact us today for a no-pressure conversation and tour of Holladay Home Assisted Living at 5950 S Highland Drive in Holladay, UT. Call (801) 277-8371 or email holladayhome1@gmail.com. Visit holladayhome.com—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
