Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in West Virginia. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in West Virginia)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (West Virginia SHIP)
West Virginia SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) has operated since 1992. It provides free, objective, and confidential help to Medicare beneficiaries and their families. Services include Medicare plan comparisons, enrollment help, Medigap premium comparisons by insurer, long-term care insurance questions, help applying for Medicare Savings Programs, and referrals to home care resources.
SHIP toll-free statewide: 1-877-987-4463 SHIP will also conduct educational workshops for consumers or professional groups. WV Senior Services SHIP page: wvseniorservices.gov (navigate to Staying Healthy, then SHIP) SHIP TA Center locator: shiphelp.org/ships/west-virginia/
WV Bureau of Senior Services (lead state aging agency): 1-877-987-3646
Medicaid in West Virginia
West Virginia's Medicaid program is called the Medical Assistance Program, administered by the Bureau for Medical Services (BMS) within the Department of Health. Seniors and people with disabilities may qualify for standard Medicaid and for the Aged and Disabled Waiver, which helps qualifying adults age 18 and older receive personal care, homemaker, and other in-home services as an alternative to nursing facility placement.
How to apply: online through WV PATH (People's Access to Help) at wvpath.wv.gov, or in person at a local Division of Medicaid Services office.
Bureau for Medical Services: bms.wv.gov BMS general phone: (304) 558-1700
Prescription help
West Virginia does not operate a dedicated State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for seniors separate from Medicaid. Options available:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially reduces Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and additional savings.
WV SHIP counselors (1-877-987-4463) can help determine Extra Help eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
West Virginia LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program): note that West Virginia uses the spelling "LIEAP" rather than "LIHEAP." LIEAP is administered by the West Virginia Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA) within the Department of Human Services. The program provides direct payments to utility companies to help eligible low-income households cover home heating costs. A crisis component is also available for households at imminent risk of losing their heating source.
Maximum LIEAP benefit for a household: $2,000. Income limit: 60% of the state median income for households of up to seven individuals; 150% of the federal poverty level for households of eight or more.
Important note on timing: the 2026 LIEAP application period opened February 2, 2026 and closed February 9, 2026, earlier than scheduled, due to exhaustion of funding. Applications for future seasons typically open in late winter; check wvpath.wv.gov or call your local Department of Human Services office in January for the opening date.
How to apply (when open): online at wvpath.wv.gov, at local DoHS offices, or at participating West Virginia Community Action Agencies and Senior Centers.
BFA LIEAP page: bfa.wv.gov/utility-assistancelieap
Property tax relief (West Virginia)
West Virginia offers two overlapping property tax programs for seniors:
West Virginia Homestead Exemption: homeowners age 65 or older by June 30 of the application year (or who are permanently and totally disabled) may receive a $20,000 reduction in the assessed value of their primary residence for ad valorem tax purposes. You must have been a West Virginia resident for the two consecutive calendar years prior to your application.
Application window: July 1 through December 1, filed with your county assessor. The exemption takes effect on the following tax bill. The exemption is $20,000 of assessed value, and WV assesses residential property at 60% of appraised value, so the actual market value shielded from taxation depends on your county's assessment ratio.
Senior Citizen Tax Credit (SCTC): a separate income tax credit available to residents who participate in the Homestead Exemption program. To qualify, your income must be less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for your household size. For the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), the maximum income is $23,475 for a single-person household, plus an additional $8,250 for each additional household member. These limits adjust each year with the federal poverty guidelines.
WV Tax Division, Senior Citizen Tax Credit: tax.wv.gov/Individuals/SeniorCitizens/Pages/SeniorCitizensTaxCredit.aspx WV Tax Division, Homestead Exemption FAQ: contact your county assessor or visit tax.wv.gov
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services (WVBOSS) is the lead state agency for older West Virginians. WVBOSS works through four Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that contract with county-level senior centers to deliver meals, transportation, and in-home services.
Key services available through the AAA network:
- Home-delivered and congregate meals at senior centers
- Non-medical transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, and errands
- In-home aide and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support programs
- Long-term care ombudsman services
Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW): provides in-home personal care for Medicaid-eligible adults age 18 and older as an alternative to nursing facility placement. Learn more at adwprogram.wv.gov.
Legal aid: legal services for seniors are available through the West Virginia Legal Services Plan and through AAA-contracted legal aid programs protecting seniors' housing, income, and access to benefits. Find legal help through WV Public Defender Services at pds.wv.gov/legal-aid-resources or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
WV Bureau of Senior Services: 1-877-987-3646 | wvseniorservices.gov
Frequently asked questions
What is West Virginia SHIP? WV SHIP provides free Medicare counseling and has operated since 1992. Counselors are available statewide through the toll-free line 1-877-987-4463. Services cover plan comparisons, enrollment, Medigap pricing, Medicare Savings Program applications, and long-term care insurance questions.
Does West Virginia offer a property tax break for seniors? Yes. The West Virginia Homestead Exemption reduces the assessed value of a qualifying senior's primary home by $20,000. You must be age 65 or older by June 30 and have lived in West Virginia for at least two consecutive years. Apply with your county assessor between July 1 and December 1. A separate Senior Citizen Tax Credit may further reduce your tax bill if your income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level.
How do West Virginia seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), administered by the WV Bureau for Family Assistance. The 2026 LIEAP season opened February 2 and closed February 9, 2026 when funding was exhausted. Future seasons typically open in late January or early February. Apply at wvpath.wv.gov or through local Community Action Agencies. Call 211 if you are unsure where to start.
How does a West Virginia senior apply for Medicaid? Apply through WV PATH at wvpath.wv.gov or by visiting a local Department of Human Services office. The Aged and Disabled Waiver can help qualifying seniors receive in-home care instead of nursing facility placement. Contact BMS at (304) 558-1700 for waiver information.
Sources
- WV SHIP (wvseniorservices.gov): http://www.wvseniorservices.gov/StayingHealthy/SHIPMedicare/tabid/72/Default.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
- CMS West Virginia SHIP contact: https://www.cms.gov/contacts/west-virginia-state-health-insurance-assistance-program-wv-ship/general-beneficiary-contact/1562251 (Verified June 11, 2026)
- SHIP TA Center, West Virginia listing: https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/west-virginia/ (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV Bureau for Medical Services, Applying for Healthcare: https://bms.wv.gov/members/applying-healthcare (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV PATH application portal: https://www.wvpath.wv.gov/ (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV Aged and Disabled Waiver program: https://adwprogram.wv.gov/ (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV BFA, LIEAP: https://bfa.wv.gov/utility-assistancelieap (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV DoHS, LIEAP 2026 close announcement: https://dohs.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-department-human-services-announces-closure-lieap-application-period (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV Tax Division, Senior Citizen Tax Credit: https://tax.wv.gov/Individuals/SeniorCitizens/Pages/SeniorCitizensTaxCredit.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV Tax Division, Homestead Exemption (Fayette County example): https://fayettecounty.wv.gov/assessor/realestate/Pages/Homestead-Exemption.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
- WV Bureau of Senior Services: https://www.wv.gov/pages/agency.aspx?newid=237 (Verified June 11, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.