What CLC does
Community Living Connections is Washington's statewide network for long-term services and supports. One phone number, 1-855-567-0252, and the website waclc.org connect older adults, people with disabilities, family caregivers and their families to local services. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) supports the network through its Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA, which took over the work of the former Aging and Long-Term Support Administration) and Washington's Area Agencies on Aging.
CLC describes four core services:
- Information and referral to home and community services, private-pay and public
- Help planning for long-term care, one-on-one with you, your caregiver or your family
- Help with eligibility for public programs, such as those funded by Medicaid and the Older Americans Act
- Support when moving between care settings, for example from a hospital or nursing home back home
Services CLC can help connect you to include:
- In-home personal care and Apple Health long-term care
- Adult family homes, assisted living and nursing homes
- Home-delivered and group meal programs
- Senior centers and adult day services
- The Family Caregiver Support Program, including respite
- Transportation help
- Dementia and Alzheimer's resources
- WA Cares Fund providers, for people using their WA Cares benefit
- Reporting abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult
Washington's Area Agencies on Aging
Washington is divided into regions, each served by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) that plans and coordinates services for older adults and family caregivers there. Some AAAs are county or city departments, some are regional councils or nonprofits, and some are run by tribes. CLC routes you to the right one: on waclc.org, choose your county to see your local CLC office and its contact information.
When to contact CLC
Reasons to call:
- You're caring for an aging parent or spouse and don't know where to start
- You're thinking about applying for Apple Health long-term care
- You need help arranging in-home care
- You're worried about an older neighbor or family member living alone
- You're looking for meal programs or social activities
- You need transportation to medical appointments
- You want to use your WA Cares benefit and need a provider
- You're leaving a hospital or nursing home and need support at home
CLC and Medicare questions
CLC is for long-term care and aging services, not for choosing a Medicare plan. For Medicare questions:
- Medicare coverage, claims and the Plan Finder: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Medicare.gov
- Enrolling in Parts A and B: Social Security, 1-800-772-1213
- Help paying Medicare costs: apply for Medicare Savings Programs and Apple Health through DSHS
- Suspected Medicare fraud: 1-800-MEDICARE or the Senior Medicare Patrol (smpresource.org); see our fraud prevention guide
- Comparing plans: a licensed insurance agent with Benefits Life can explain plans from the companies they work with, at no cost to you. Call (206) SENIORS (206-736-4677), TTY 711 or see plans in your ZIP code.
For more Washington contacts, see Washington Medicare phone numbers.
Sources
- Community Living Connections — Home
- Community Living Connections — About us
- Community Living Connections — Connect to your local CLC organization
- DSHS — Local services and resources contacts
- DSHS — Long-term care services and information
- Health Care Authority — Services for older adults
Frequently asked questions
What is Community Living Connections?
A statewide network of state and community organizations, supported by the DSHS Home and Community Living Administration through Washington's Area Agencies on Aging. It helps people of all ages, disabilities and incomes, and their caregivers, find private-pay and publicly funded long-term services and supports in their community.
What's the phone number?
1-855-567-0252. You can also search the resource directory or find your local CLC office at waclc.org.
Does CLC help with Medicare plans?
No. CLC focuses on long-term services and supports and aging and disability services. For questions about Medicare coverage, contact 1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov, or a licensed insurance agent for help choosing a plan.
Does CLC help with Apple Health long-term care applications?
CLC can screen you for public programs, including those funded by Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, and guide you through the eligibility process. DSHS Home and Community Services makes the decision on Apple Health long-term care.
Can CLC help me find an adult family home or other care setting?
Yes. CLC can help you learn about and plan for care options, including in-home care, adult family homes, assisted living and nursing homes, and connect you with local providers through its resource directory.
Medicare in your Washington county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Adams · Asotin · Benton · Chelan · Clallam · Clark · Columbia · Cowlitz · Douglas · Ferry · Franklin · Garfield · Grant · Grays Harbor · Island · Jefferson · King · Kitsap · Kittitas · Klickitat · Lewis · Lincoln · Mason · Okanogan · Pacific · Pend Oreille · Pierce · San Juan · Skagit · Skamania · Snohomish · Spokane · Stevens · Thurston · Wahkiakum · Walla Walla · Whatcom · Whitman · Yakima
