Board and care homes in California

A board and care home is a small, licensed care home in a regular neighborhood, usually with six or fewer residents. Caregivers are there day and night to help with bathing, dressing, meals and medications. In California these homes are licensed by the Department of Social Services as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs).

Reviewed November 5, 2026 by the Golden State Senior Placement placement team.

Who is board and care right for?

Board and care fits an older adult (generally 60 or older) who can no longer safely live alone and needs help with daily care, but doesn't need round-the-clock skilled nursing.

Needs help with bathing, dressing, the bathroom or getting around
Needs someone to manage or give medications
Is living with memory loss or dementia (in a home set up for memory care)
Is coming home from a hospital or rehab stay and can't return to living alone
Wants a quiet, family-style home rather than a large building

What's included

Most board and care homes include a furnished room, three meals and snacks, housekeeping and laundry, help with personal care, medication help and 24-hour supervision in one monthly rate.

Many homes also accept residents on hospice (with a state hospice waiver), residents who use a wheelchair, and people living with dementia. Ask each home what its license and staffing allow, and what costs extra.

Board and care, assisted living and nursing homes compared

Type	Size and feel	Care	Licensed by
Board and care	A house, usually 6 or fewer residents	Daily care, medications, supervision, often memory care	CA Department of Social Services (RCFE)
Assisted living	A larger community, often dozens of residents	Same as board and care, with more amenities	CA Department of Social Services (RCFE)
Nursing home	A medical facility	24-hour skilled nursing for serious medical needs	CA Department of Public Health
Room and board	A room in a family home	None: housing, meals and company only	Not licensed for care

How much does board and care cost in California?

Costs depend on the city, the room and the level of care. For reference, California's median for assisted living was about $6,900 a month in 2025 ($82,800 a year), according to the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey.

Shared rooms, smaller homes and lighter care needs often cost less. Private rooms, memory care and higher care needs often cost more. We share each home's actual rate before you visit, so there are no surprises.

How families pay

Private pay: savings, pensions, Social Security, or the sale of a home.
Long-term care insurance: many policies cover licensed assisted living and board and care.
VA benefits: veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the VA pension with Aid and Attendance.
Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver: pays for care services in participating homes in 15 counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma. The resident still pays room and board, and there is a waitlist. Since January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal for older adults has an asset limit of $130,000 for one person, not counting the home they live in.
SSI: some homes accept residents whose income is SSI. The 2026 payment standard for an older adult in a licensed care home is $1,626.07 a month.
Medicare: does not pay for long-term care or rent in a board and care home.

How to check a home's license

Search the home's name or 9-digit license number on the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing facility search. It shows the license status, capacity, inspection visits and any citations.

We check every licensed home there before it joins our network, and we put each home's record on your tour page. Our guide to choosing a care home lists what else to ask on a visit.

Common questions

How is board and care different from assisted living?

In California, board and care homes and assisted living communities hold the same kind of license: both are Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs). The difference is size and feel. "Board and care" usually means a house with six or fewer residents and home-cooked meals; "assisted living" usually means a larger building with more amenities. Both help with daily care and medications.

How is a care home different from a nursing home?

A care home (RCFE) gives help with daily living, supervision and medications, but not ongoing skilled nursing. A nursing home, also called a skilled nursing facility, is licensed by the California Department of Public Health and has licensed nurses on duty around the clock for people with serious medical needs. Many people move to a care home after a short nursing home stay for rehab.

How much does a board and care home cost in California?

It depends on the city, the room and the level of care. As a reference point, the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey put California's median for assisted living at $82,800 a year, about $6,900 a month. Shared rooms, smaller homes and lighter care needs often cost less; memory care and private rooms often cost more. We share each home's actual rate before you visit.

Does Medi-Cal pay for board and care?

Medi-Cal does not pay room and board in a care home. Its Assisted Living Waiver can pay for the care services in participating homes, while the resident pays the home for room and board, often from SSI or other income. The waiver is available in 15 California counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma), and it has a waitlist. We only refer families to homes that accept the way they plan to pay.

How do I check a care home's license and inspection history?

Search the home's name or license number on the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing facility search at ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch. It shows the license status, capacity, inspection visits and any citations. We check every licensed home there before it joins our network, and we link to each home's record on your tour page.

How much notice must a care home give before raising the rate?

Since January 1, 2025, California law requires a care home (RCFE) to give residents at least 90 days' written notice before a rate increase. Ask each home how often its rates have gone up and what's included in the monthly price.

Does Medicare pay for board and care or assisted living?

No. Medicare does not pay for long-term personal care or for rent in a board and care home or assisted living community. It may cover a short skilled nursing stay after a qualifying hospital stay, and it can cover hospice services, but the monthly care home rate stays with the resident. Medi-Cal, which is a separate program, can help in some cases through the Assisted Living Waiver.

Is there an asset limit for Medi-Cal in 2026?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, California has again counted assets for older adults and people with disabilities in non-expansion Medi-Cal programs, including long-term care. The limit is $130,000 for one person, plus $65,000 for each additional household member. One home the person lives in is exempt. People on SSI-linked Medi-Cal follow the separate $2,000 SSI limit. Rules vary by situation, so check with your county Medi-Cal office before moving money.

How much does SSI pay for board and care in California?

In 2026 the combined SSI/SSP payment standard for an older adult living in a licensed care home in California is $1,626.07 a month, and part of it is set aside for personal needs. That is less than most homes charge, so only some homes accept it. The amount usually changes each January. Tell us the person's income and we'll only reach out to homes that accept it.

Sources: CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey; California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Assisted Living Waiver; DHCS, SSI/SSP Payment Standards Effective January 1, 2026; Justice in Aging, Reinstatement of Medi-Cal Asset Limit FAQ; Medicare.gov, Long-term care coverage; California Health and Safety Code §1569.655 (90-day notice of rate increases since January 1, 2025).