West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services: Programs, Contact & How to Get Help

Most families discover the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services (BOSS) at the worst possible moment — a parent has fallen, a diagnosis has landed, and suddenly you need state-funded help that you didn't know existed a week ago. BOSS is the state agency that administers nearly every non-Medicaid aging program in West Virginia, and understanding what it does (and what it doesn't) can save you weeks of misdirected phone calls.

What the Bureau of Senior Services Actually Does

BOSS operates as West Virginia's designated State Unit on Aging under the federal Older Americans Act. It doesn't deliver care directly. Instead, it funds and oversees a network of county-level senior centers and the state's four aging-service regions — three regional Area Agencies on Aging plus counties served directly by BOSS — that run the programs on the ground.

The programs BOSS administers include:

• Lighthouse Program — sliding-scale in-home personal care for seniors 60+ who don't qualify for Medicaid long-term care. Rates run from $1.50 to $16.00 per hour based on income, with a cap of 60 hours per month.
• Family Alzheimer's In-Home Respite (FAIR) — up to 16 hours per week of trained respite workers for caregivers of someone with a documented dementia diagnosis. Also sliding-scale.
• Title III-B Supportive Services — transportation to medical appointments, legal assistance referrals, and in-home chore services through local senior centers.
• Title III-C Nutrition — congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) for homebound seniors 60+.
• Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program — counseling, training, and supplemental services for unpaid family caregivers.
• Aging Well, Safe at Home Initiative — home modification grants for accessibility adaptations (grab bars, ramps, bathroom modifications) for adults 60+.

BOSS also works with the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), which function as the single intake point where families can be screened for both state-funded and Medicaid-funded programs simultaneously.

How BOSS Connects to Medicaid Programs

Here's a common point of confusion: BOSS does not administer West Virginia Medicaid. The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) and Personal Care Services (PCS) programs are run by the Bureau for Medical Services (BMS), a separate agency. However, BOSS-funded programs like Lighthouse and FAIR can serve as critical bridges while a Medicaid application is being processed.

If your parent needs help today and the Medicaid waiver has a waiting list, BOSS's programs are often the fastest path to in-home support. Lighthouse can sometimes begin services within days of intake, while ADW applications require financial screening, clinical assessment, and a slot on the Managed Enrollment List.

How to Contact BOSS and Get an Intake Started

The fastest route is the West Virginia Aging and Disability Network hotline at 1-866-981-2372. A Resource Specialist will identify which county senior center covers your parent's address and can initiate intake screenings for Lighthouse, FAIR, and other programs during that first call.

You can also contact your regional Area Agency on Aging directly:

• Region I (Northern Panhandle) — Belomar Regional Council, including Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, and Wetzel counties
• Region II (Kanawha Valley) — Metro Area Agency on Aging, including Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam counties
• Region IV (Southern) — Appalachian Area Agency on Aging, covering the southern coalfield counties

For counties not covered by a regional AAA, BOSS administers services directly through contracted county senior center providers. Each county in West Virginia has at least one senior center that serves as the local access point.

What to Bring to an Intake Screening

When you contact your local senior center or AAA for an intake, have these ready:

• Proof of West Virginia residency (utility bill, lease, or driver's license)
• The senior's birth certificate or proof of age (must be 60+ for most BOSS programs)
• Income documentation (Social Security award letter, pension statements) — needed for sliding-scale fee calculation
• A list of current medications and medical conditions
• Any existing power of attorney or guardianship documents

The intake specialist will assess which programs your parent qualifies for and can often cross-refer to Medicaid if the financial profile suggests eligibility for the ADW or PCS.

When BOSS Programs Aren't Enough

BOSS-funded programs have real limits. Lighthouse caps at 60 hours per month — roughly two hours per day. FAIR caps at 16 hours per week. Neither program provides skilled nursing, medication management, or 24-hour supervision. If your parent needs nursing-home-level care at home, you'll need the Aged and Disabled Waiver, which covers substantially more hours and includes case management, environmental modifications, and the option to hire family members as paid caregivers through the Personal Options program.

For a complete breakdown of how to navigate ADW applications, Medicaid financial eligibility, and the Personal Options self-directed care model, the West Virginia Home Care Navigator walks through every step from first phone call to active services.

See more West Virginia guides →