How much does a halfway house cost?

Halfway houses cost about the same as living in a modest apartment or home . Read on to learn more about halfway houses and their costs, including utilities and security deposit, here.

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Is a halfway house expensive?

Generally, no. Halfway houses are not more expensive than normal housing costs. And compared to staying in a residential treatment facility, a halfway house is not expensive at all. In fact, halfway houses are designed to be affordable, so recovering addicts will find it easier to live in them rather than out on their own.

Many halfway houses have an employment stipulation in their contracts. This means that residents are required to find and maintain employment as long as they are staying in the house. If you’re working, you’ll find it much easier to cover the cost of staying in a halfway house. Most halfway house residents find that it’s easier to pay for their accommodations if they live simply and budget their money.

Halfway houses: How much do they cost?

Typically, the monthly or weekly cost if a halfway house is usually equal to or slightly less than the monthly cost of other types of housing in the area. However, you may be expected to share a room with one or more roommates. Additionally, you may be expected to pay a security deposit, which is forfeited if you are founding using drugs and need to leave the facility. So what does your rent cover?

The cost of a halfway house usually includes rent plus utilities, but you may need to pay separate utilities in some cases, especially if your bills run over a standard maximum. The money that you pay a halfway house is used to help cover the cost of running it, including operational and staff costs. It is set up this way to help minimize the chances of relapse and make the transition back into society easier.

Are halfway houses tax deductible?

Generally, halfway houses are not tax deductible, since the money that you spend on transitional housing is considered to be housing and not a necessary medical expense. However, there may be some cases in which you may be able to deduct a portion of your halfway house costs.

If your stay in a halfway house is prescribed by your doctor, you may be able to deduct a portion of it, provided that the accommodations are not “lavish”. The cost of any treatment you receive from a medical professional while at the halfway house may be deductible, provided that they exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income.

The best way to find out if a halfway house is tax deductible in your situation, you should sit down and speak with a certified public accountant or tax professional.

Is a halfway house covered by insurance?

No, not usually. But depending on your health insurance provider, the costs of a halfway house may be covered. The majority of health insurance plans only cover medical necessities. However, the costs of most treatments you receive during your stay will most likely be covered. To find out more about a halfway house covered by insurance, it’s best to contact your insurance provider directly. Representatives will be able to tell you whether or not a halfway house is covered in your plan, or not.

Will Medicare pay for a halfway house?

No, not usually. As with private health insurance companies, Medicare will not usually pay for your stay in a halfway house since this type of housing may not be considered to be a medical necessity. Mental health and substance abuse treatment that you receive while in the halfway house, though, may be partially covered by Medicare. More information about what’s covered by Medicare can be found on their website. You can also contact Medicare directly to speak to them about your individual situation. The Medicare office can be reached by telephone, at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Is a halfway house free?

The simple answer to that question is: No, free halfway houses are almost non-existent. The purpose of a halfway house is to help you with your transition back into a productive life without substance abuse. In order to do so, you must be able to become completely self-sufficient and responsible for your own life and actions.

You may be able to find very low cost, yet modest, halfway housing in your area, though. To start your search, you can contact your state’s federally funded substance abuse referral program. You can get this contact information from the rehab facility where you received treatment. This process can be somewhat frustrating, but don’t give up! The keys to finding a low cost halfway house are determination and persistence.

Sliding scale halfway houses

Some halfway houses operate with sliding scale fees, but they may be difficult to locate, depending on where you live. These types of facilities charge their residents just what they can afford to pay, which is usually based on income.

You may be able to locate a local sliding scale halfway house by contacting the National Drug Abuse Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP or your state’s federally funded substance abuse treatment agency. Your local substance abuse service administration can be obtained through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services. You can also contact your county’s government assistance office, which can help you or point you in the right direction.

Halfway house financial aid and assistance

Obtain a list of halfway houses in your area, either from your local substance abuse services administration or from your rehab facility. Contact each halfway house and ask about any financial aid or assistance that they offer. You may be surprised to learn that some of these facilities may offer reduced costs to new residents until they can find employment.

If you’re having trouble locating halfway houses in your area, you can contact your state’s substance abuse services office. A Directory of Single State Agencies for Substance Abuse Services can be found on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website. The representative for your state may be able to help you find halfway house financial aid and assistance.

Halfway house price questions

Still have questions about the cost of addiction treatment in halfway houses? Please leave your questions about halfway house living here. We’ll be happy to answer your questions personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: Internal Revenue Service: Medical and Dental Expenses (Including the Health Coverage Tax Credit)
SAMHSA: Treatment Locator
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Rehabs: Sober Living Homes and Housing Options
Treatment USA: How Do I Pay for a Halfway House in Pennsylvania?
SAMHSA: Directory of Single State Agencies (SSA) for Substance Abuse Services
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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