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West Virginia · How-To Guide

How do I find and access senior services?

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) - regional level (West Virginia has 9 AAAs) / West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services - WVBOSS (state level)
Details

What you need to know

Fee
Most services free or on sliding scale ONLINE OPTION: dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/seniorservices; wv211.org; healthywv.com WHERE TO GO: Your regional AAA; local senior center; WVBOSS; 211 West Virginia; local DHHR office
Online Option
dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/seniorservices; wv211.org; healthywv.com
Where to Go
Your regional AAA; local senior center; WVBOSS; 211 West Virginia; local DHHR office
County-specific variations apply

West Virginia is one of the most rural and economically challenged states nationally. Nearly all of WV's 55 counties have significant rural and poverty challenges. The southern coalfields (McDowell, Wyoming, Logan, Mingo, Boone, Raleigh, Mercer, Monroe, Summers counties) have some of the greatest unmet need in the nation. The Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan counties) is the fastest growing area with stronger resources due to DC suburb proximity. Even medium-sized cities like Parkersburg (Wood County), Beckley (Raleigh County), and Clarksburg (Harrison County) have limited senior resources compared to national averages.

West Virginia Notes

Important state-specific details

  • WV SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): WV's free Medicare counseling - contact your AAA or WVBOSS at (304) 558-3317; helps with Medicare enrollment, billing, and plan selection.
  • WV CHOICES WAIVER: WV's primary Medicaid HCBS waiver for elderly and disabled; provides home-based care as alternative to nursing home; apply through DHHR.
  • HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: $20,000 off assessed value for 65+ and permanently disabled; NO income limit; apply with county assessor by December 1; one of the simplest in the series.
  • LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program): Critical given WV's cold winters and mountainous terrain with many inaccessible locations; apply through DHHR or community action agencies or 211.
  • Adult Protective Services (APS): report elder abuse through DHHR APS at (800) 352-6513 (24-hour hotline).
  • Legal Aid of WV: lawv.net | (304) 343-3013 - statewide civil legal aid for qualifying low-income WV residents.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
WV Bureau of Senior Services (WVBOSS) - dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/seniorservices | (304) 558-3317; WV SHIP: (304) 558-3317; APS: (800) 352-6513; Legal Aid of WV: lawv.net | (304) 343-3013; 211 WV: dial 211