{"id":"long-term-care-ombudsman-program","name":"Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program","provider":"State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs under the Older Americans Act","entitlement_type":"government-benefit","entitlement_type_label":"Government benefit","entitlement_type_context":{"definition":"A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route.","domain":"public-benefits","archetype":"direct-program","agent_instruction":"Identify the administering jurisdiction and disclose income, household, age, disability, immigration, residence, renewal, fee, and capacity rules that apply."},"summary":"Independent state and local advocates help residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, board-and-care homes, and similar long-term-care settings understand their rights and resolve complaints.","benefit":{"description":"Confidential information and assistance, complaint investigation and resident-directed resolution, help with transfers or discharge, care, safety, abuse, benefits, visitation, and other rights, plus referrals and systemic advocacy.","estimated_value_usd":null},"discovery":{"focus":"public-service","has_estimated_dollar_value":false},"access":{"relationships":["Resident of a covered long-term-care facility","Person seeking help on behalf of a long-term-care resident"],"requirements":"The concern must relate to a resident of a covered long-term-care facility or residential-care community. A resident, family member, friend, facility worker, or other person may contact the program, but the Ombudsman follows resident direction and federal consent and disclosure rules.","activation":"Use the Eldercare Locator or the ACL state Ombudsman directory to find the serving office, describe the resident's concern, and provide consent or records when the Ombudsman explains that they are needed.","cost_basis":"no-cost","cost_basis_label":"No-cost access","cost_basis_context":{"classification":"free","definition":"The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.","agent_instruction":"Still disclose optional add-ons, transportation, parking, replacement charges, taxes, capacity, and eligibility conditions found in fees or requirements.","variation_patterns":null,"does_not_mean":null},"fees":"Ombudsman information and complaint assistance are free. The program is not emergency response, a regulator imposing penalties, a substitute for personal legal counsel, or payment for the resident's care; call emergency or protective-services authorities when immediate danger requires it.","personalized":false,"regions":["US","All states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam","Local program coverage"],"expires":null},"status":"verified","last_checked":"2026-08-04","claim_url":"https://eldercare.acl.gov/home","source_url":"https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program","source":{"primary_url":"https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program","evidence":[{"source":"State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs under the Older Americans Act","url":"https://acl.gov/programs/Protecting-Rights-and-Preventing-Abuse/Long-term-Care-Ombudsman-Program","kind":"provider","checked_at":"2026-08-04"}]},"parent":null,"coverage":{"level":"national","family":"aging-and-disability","jurisdiction":"United States","maturity":"direct"},"web_url":"/benefits/long-term-care-ombudsman-program","taxonomy":{"version":"1.0","url":"/api/v1/taxonomy"}}