Map of West Virginia

West Virginia · Resources

The numbers you actually need — West Virginia.

Phone numbers, agencies, free legal help, forms, and the statutes our topic guides cite. The page to bookmark when you don’t want to dig.

If you need help right now

Report elder abuse

1-800-352-6513

West Virginia APS, 24/7

Medicare questions

1-800-633-4227

1-800-MEDICARE, federal

Local community help

211

2-1-1 — food, transport, rent, anything

State Medicaid agency

The office that determines eligibility and runs the program

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) — Bureau for Medical Services

WV's Medicaid agency. Apply for Medicaid through inROADS (online) or local DHHR county offices.

Aging services — your entry point

Single number that routes to your local Area Agency on Aging

WV Bureau of Senior Services

Coordinates the four Area Agencies on Aging serving all 55 WV counties. Single statewide entry-point for senior services.

Adult Protective Services

If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, call this number

Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)

Federally-funded, unbiased — not selling you a plan

WV SHIP — State Health Insurance Assistance Program

WV's federally-funded SHIP. Free, unbiased Medicare counseling through trained volunteer counselors statewide.

State health department

Regulates nursing homes and licensed facilities

WV Department of Health Facilities (DHF) — Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification

Licenses and regulates nursing homes, assisted living residences, and home health agencies in West Virginia.

Finding a lawyer

Bar referral first, legal aid if income-qualified

West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

Legal Aid of West Virginia

Statewide civil legal aid serving all 55 WV counties. Senior-specific services through the Older Americans Act program.

WV Senior Legal Aid

Free legal services for West Virginians 60+, prioritizing residents of long-term care facilities.

Nonprofits worth knowing

State chapters and organizations focused on aging in this state

Alzheimer's Association — West Virginia Chapter

24/7 helpline, caregiver education, and support groups across WV.

AARP West Virginia

Statewide advocacy and caregiver resources.

WV Family Caregivers Coalition

State-level coalition of organizations supporting family caregivers; coordinates with WV Bureau of Senior Services.

Other hotlines

Numbers worth saving in your phone

  • Medicare (federal)

    1-800-MEDICARE — 24/7 federal Medicare helpline.

    1-800-633-4227
  • WV Senior Helpline

    Single point of entry for elder services statewide.

    1-877-987-3646
  • WV 2-1-1

    Local community resource referrals 24/7.

    211

Forms & templates

Official West Virginia document references

  • WV Durable Power of Attorney (W. Va. Code §39B)

    WV adopted the Uniform Power of Attorney Act in 2012 (effective 2014). Notarization required; statutory short form available.

  • WV Medical Power of Attorney + Living Will

    Statutory forms under W. Va. Code §16-30 (West Virginia Health Care Decisions Act). Witnessing and notarization requirements apply.

  • POST — Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment

    WV's POLST-equivalent form, used in healthcare settings to document treatment preferences for seriously ill patients.

Key statutes we cite

West Virginia laws referenced across our topic guides

CitationSubject
W. Va. Code §39BUniform Power of Attorney Act (West Virginia)
W. Va. Code §16-30West Virginia Health Care Decisions Act
W. Va. Code §9-6Adult Protective Services
W. Va. Code §41Wills
W. Va. Code §44Administration of Estates
W. Va. Code §44AGuardianship and Conservatorship
W. Va. Code §16-5DNursing Home Licensure
W. Va. Code §16-5NAssisted Living Residence Licensure

More from West Virginia

Phone numbers, websites, and statute citations on this page are verified at publication and re-reviewed quarterly. If something looks wrong, please tell us.