The State of Connecticut Assisted Living Pilot Program pays the care portion of assisted living. It can help your resources last longer and prevent you from losing your independence. Not all facilities participate, so you have to ask. “Over-asset” residents can transfer assets to children, Asset Protection Trusts or certain annuities, thereby triggering a penalty period which can end much sooner than the 5-year look-back (see Avoid Medicaid’s Look-Back Period). “Over-income” residents can use Pooled Trusts to reduce countable income while still using that income to pay your bills (see Medicaid Income Protection). There usually is a long wait list, but you can be added to it upon admission to the facility, and work toward qualifying while on the list.