If you’re 60 or older in Oregon and thinking about leaving your home because you need help with everyday tasks, there’s a program designed to help you stay there.
Oregon Project Independence (OPI) provides in-home help with activities like bathing, dressing, cleaning and shopping. There are no income or asset limits, although you may pay a fee based on your income.
A newer version called Oregon Project Independence Medicaid (OPI-M) provides similar assistance at no cost to eligible participants who meet Medicaid-related financial requirements.
Here’s how both programs work and how to find out which one may help you.
What Does OPI Help With?
Oregon Project Independence helps older adults and eligible people with disabilities continue living in their own homes instead of moving into a care facility.
Depending on your needs and assessment, services may include:
- Personal care: Help with bathing, dressing and personal hygiene.
- Mobility assistance: Help moving around your home safely.
- Housekeeping: Assistance with cleaning, laundry and other household tasks.
- Shopping: Help getting groceries and other essentials.
Services may be provided by state-registered home care workers or contracted home care agencies.
The amount and type of assistance you receive depend on your individual needs and the services authorized through the program.
You can learn more through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Home Care Services page.
Who Qualifies for OPI?
OPI is a state-funded program designed for Oregon residents who need help remaining at home and are not receiving Medicaid-funded long-term care services.
You may qualify if you:
- Are 60 or older, or have Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder at a younger age; AND
- Live in Oregon; AND
- Need assistance with daily activities to remain safely at home; AND
- Are not receiving Medicaid-funded long-term care services that would make you ineligible for OPI.
In certain counties, adults ages 19 to 59 with physical disabilities may also qualify.
Unlike many assistance programs, traditional OPI has no income or asset limits.
This means you don’t automatically lose eligibility because your income or savings are above a particular amount.
However, you must still meet the program’s other requirements, and receiving certain Medicaid services can affect eligibility.
Your local Aging and People with Disabilities office or Area Agency on Aging can review your situation.
What Does OPI Cost?
OPI uses a sliding-scale fee based on your income.
Your contribution depends on your financial circumstances. Ask your local office what you would owe before services begin.
Because OPI receives state funding, services may be limited in some areas.
Some communities have waiting lists, and priority generally goes to people with the greatest needs who are at risk of leaving their homes because they don’t have enough support.
An assessment helps determine what assistance you need and whether services are available.
What Is OPI-M?
Oregon Project Independence Medicaid (OPI-M) is a related program that uses Medicaid funding to help eligible Oregon residents receive care at home.
Unlike traditional OPI, OPI-M has income and asset limits. However, OPI-M covers the full cost of authorized services for people who qualify.
Who Qualifies for OPI-M?
OPI-M generally serves:
- Adults 60 and older who meet the program’s requirements.
- Adults 18 to 59 who meet specific disability requirements.
Applicants must also meet financial and functional eligibility rules.
OPI-M has an adjusted income limit of 400% of the federal poverty level for one person, along with an asset limit calculated under state rules.
These limits can change, so it’s best to have your local office review your income, savings and eligibility rather than relying on an older dollar amount.
What Makes OPI-M Different?
OPI-M offers two important protections.
24 months of continuous eligibility: Once approved, participants generally receive 24 months of continuous eligibility. An increase in income or assets doesn’t automatically end services during that period.
Certain exceptions apply, including moving out of Oregon or becoming eligible for other Medicaid services.
No Medicaid estate recovery for OPI-M services: Oregon does not seek repayment from your estate for services provided through OPI-M. Other Medicaid benefits you receive may have different estate recovery rules.
The federal OPI-M demonstration is currently approved through January 31, 2029. This is the program’s current federal authorization end date, not a general application deadline.
You can find additional information through ODHS’s OPI-M demonstration page.
How Do I Apply?
You can start by contacting your local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) office or Area Agency on Aging (AAA).
You can also contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon for help finding the right office.
When you reach a resource specialist, explain that you need help with everyday activities at home and want to be screened for both OPI and OPI-M.
Ask about:
- Which program you may qualify for based on your age, disability, income and other circumstances.
- What in-home services are available.
- Whether an in-home assessment is needed.
- Whether you would have to pay a fee.
- Whether there is a waiting list in your area.
The local office can explain the application process, review your eligibility and arrange an assessment when appropriate.
Start with the ODHS Home Care Services website to learn about both programs and find help getting started.
Relief Recap
Oregon Project Independence helps eligible older adults and people with disabilities get assistance with daily activities so they can continue living at home.
Traditional OPI has no income or asset limits, but it uses a sliding-scale fee and may have waiting lists.
OPI-M has financial and functional eligibility requirements, but it covers the full cost of authorized services for eligible participants. It also offers 24 months of continuous eligibility, with exceptions, and protection from estate recovery for OPI-M services.
If you or someone you care for needs help with bathing, dressing, cleaning or other everyday tasks, contact your local APD office or Area Agency on Aging.
Ask to be screened for both OPI and OPI-M. Even if you don’t qualify for one, the other may be worth exploring.
