CareMate Alliance: What This South Carolina Housing Program Offers

CareMate Alliance connects older adults and people with disabilities to affordable housing paired with support services

CareMate Alliance is a South Carolina program that helps older adults and people with disabilities find apartments where they can live independently while having access to care services when needed. The program works by linking residents to housing options and then coordinating services like meal delivery, transportation, medication reminders, and wellness checks. You do not have to move into a special facility—you stay in a regular apartment in your community, and the support comes to you.

The program operates through partnerships between housing providers, healthcare organizations, and local agencies across South Carolina. When you connect with CareMate Alliance, staff help match you to available apartments that fit your budget and location preferences, then work with you to set up whatever services make sense for your situation. The goal is to keep you living independently in your own place rather than moving to institutional care.

Key Takeaways

• CareMate Alliance pairs affordable housing with in-home support services so you can live independently in a regular apartment.
• Services available through the program include meal delivery, transportation, medication management, and regular wellness visits.
• The program serves older adults and people with disabilities across multiple South Carolina counties.
• You work with CareMate staff to find an apartment that fits your budget and then coordinate which services you need.

How CareMate Alliance housing and services work together

CareMate Alliance does not own the apartments—partner landlords and property managers do. What CareMate does is manage the connection between you, the housing, and the services. When you first contact the program, staff learn about your housing needs, your budget, and what kinds of support would help you stay independent. They then show you available apartments from their network of partner properties.

Once you move into an apartment, CareMate coordinates the services piece. If you need someone to check on you daily, prepare meals, manage medications, or arrange rides to medical appointments, the program connects you with providers who can do that work. Some services are covered through Medicaid or Medicare if you are enrolled; others may have a cost depending on your income and the service. CareMate staff stay involved to make sure the housing and services are working well together.

Who CareMate Alliance serves

The program is open to adults age 55 and older, and to working-age adults with disabilities. You do not need to be on Medicaid, though many CareMate residents are. The program looks at your income to determine what you can afford to pay for rent and services, but there is no single income cutoff that disqualifies you.

CareMate Alliance operates in multiple counties across South Carolina, though not statewide. The counties served and the specific services available vary by location. If you live in a county where the program is active, you can contact your local CareMate office to learn what housing and services are currently available in your area.

Types of support services available through CareMate

The services you can access depend on what you need and what is available in your area. Common services include meal preparation or delivery, help with household tasks, medication reminders and management, transportation to medical appointments, and regular check-ins or wellness visits. Some residents need only one or two services; others use several.

Services are typically provided by home health aides, nurses, social workers, or community volunteers, depending on the type of support. CareMate staff work with you to create a plan that lists which services you want and how often you need them. That plan can change over time as your needs change.

How rent and service costs work

Rent is set by the apartment owner, not by CareMate Alliance. Rents vary depending on the property, the location, and the size of the apartment. CareMate staff can tell you what rents look like at partner properties in your area and help you find options within your budget.

Service costs depend on which services you use and how often. Some services may be covered by Medicaid or Medicare if you are enrolled in those programs. For services not covered by insurance, you may pay out of pocket, or CareMate may help you connect with other funding sources. Ask the program directly about costs for the specific services you need.

How to contact CareMate Alliance in South Carolina

CareMate Alliance operates through regional offices. To find the office serving your county, contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services or search for CareMate Alliance offices online. You can also ask your local Area Agency on Aging, which can direct you to CareMate if the program serves your area.

When you reach out, have information ready about where you live, your income range, and what kinds of services would help you most. CareMate staff can then tell you whether the program is active in your county and what housing and services are available right now.

What to expect after you contact CareMate Alliance

After your first contact, a CareMate staff member will schedule a time to talk with you in more detail about your housing and support needs. This conversation helps them understand your situation and what matters most to you—whether that is staying close to family, being near medical services, having a certain type of apartment, or something else.

Once they understand your needs, CareMate will show you available apartments from their partner network. You can tour apartments, ask questions, and decide which one feels right. After you move in, CareMate helps set up your services and checks in regularly to make sure everything is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be on Medicaid to use CareMate Alliance?

No. CareMate Alliance serves people with and without Medicaid. If you are on Medicaid, some services may be covered by your benefits. If you are not, you may pay out of pocket or CareMate may help you connect with other funding. Ask about costs when you first contact the program.

Can I choose which apartment I live in?

Yes. CareMate shows you available apartments from partner properties, and you decide which one you want. You work directly with the landlord on the lease, just as you would with any apartment rental. CareMate's role is to help you find options and then coordinate your services.

What if my needs change after I move in?

Your service plan can change. If you need more support, fewer services, or different types of help, tell your CareMate coordinator. They work with you to adjust what services you are using so the plan still fits your life.

Is CareMate Alliance available in my county?

CareMate operates in multiple South Carolina counties, but not everywhere. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to learn about the program serves your area and what services are currently available.

How quickly can I move into an apartment through CareMate?

Timeline depends on how many apartments are available, how quickly you find one that works for you, and how fast the landlord can process your lease. CareMate staff can give you a better sense of timing once they know your preferences and location.