NC nursing facility Medicaid uses asset limits of $2,000 (per NC DHHS 2026 Basic Medicaid Eligibility Requirements, Aged/Blind/Disabled resource limit) (single) and $3,000 (per NC DHHS 2026 Basic Medicaid Eligibility Requirements, Aged/Blind/Disabled resource limit for a couple) (couple), and is an entitlement -- anyone who qualifies financially and medically gets it, no waitlist. CAP/DA, NC's in-home waiver, pays for community-based services only and, like most HCBS waivers nationally, can carry capacity limits.
The practical difference
Nursing home Medicaid pays for a facility bed once a resident qualifies. CAP/DA keeps someone at home with services like personal care, home modifications, and case management -- but does not pay for assisted-living-style room and board anywhere.
