Adult Protective Services in West Virginia

West Virginia Adult Protective Services (APS), administered by the Bureau for Social Services within the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults throughout the state. West Virginia's Centralized Intake operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive APS reports. To report suspected abuse, call 1-800-352-6513 at any time. West Virginia APS does not currently offer a statewide online reporting portal.

How to Report Elder Abuse in West Virginia

West Virginia APS reports are made by phone through the Centralized Intake line. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 first.

Report by Phone

Call 1-800-352-6513 to reach West Virginia's Centralized Intake, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained intake specialist will collect information about the person you are concerned about and the circumstances of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Reports may be made anonymously, and callers acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under WV Code § 9-6-12. The intake line routes reports to the appropriate local DoHS office for investigation.

Report Online

West Virginia APS does not currently offer a statewide online reporting portal. All reports must be made by phone at 1-800-352-6513. For additional information, visit the Bureau for Social Services website.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger — facing physical violence, a medical emergency, or another life-threatening situation — call 911 first. West Virginia APS is not a first-responder agency. For emergency cases, APS policy requires face-to-face contact with the alleged victim within 24 hours. After the immediate crisis is resolved, call 1-800-352-6513 to ensure an APS investigation and protective services are initiated.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information ready when contacting West Virginia APS will help the intake specialist assign an appropriate response:

• Full name, age, and current address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — specific incidents, dates, and locations
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser (if known)
• Information about the person's physical or mental health conditions or limitations
• Names of other witnesses, family members, or care providers with relevant information
• Your own contact information (optional — reports may be anonymous)

West Virginia law (WV Code § 9-6-9) requires certain professionals to report when they have reasonable cause to believe abuse has occurred. For all reporters, reasonable suspicion is sufficient — proof is not required.

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in West Virginia

Under WV Code § 9-6-1 et seq., West Virginia APS investigates the following categories of abuse, neglect, and exploitation affecting vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse — Intentional infliction of physical pain, injury, or bodily harm
• Psychological abuse — Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or conduct causing psychological harm
• Verbal abuse — Use of threatening, insulting, or demeaning language
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact or conduct
• Financial exploitation — Misuse, misappropriation, or theft of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or assets
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver to provide essential food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
• Self-neglect — Failure of a vulnerable adult to provide for their own essential needs when they are unable to do so
• Emergency abuse — Abuse occurring in situations presenting immediate risk to the adult's health or safety

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Abuse and neglect are often hidden. The following warning signs may indicate that a vulnerable adult is being mistreated in West Virginia.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries at different stages of healing
• Evidence of physical restraint — marks on wrists, ankles, or other areas
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers indicating inadequate care or prolonged immobility
• Weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition without a medical explanation

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from social activities, friends, or family
• Fear, agitation, or unusual anxiety around a specific caregiver or person
• Sudden depression, confusion, or behavioral changes
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver or family member is nearby

Financial Signs

• Unexplained bank withdrawals or changes to financial accounts
• Missing personal property, jewelry, or valuables
• Unpaid bills, utility shutoffs, or lack of necessities despite adequate resources
• Sudden changes to a will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in West Virginia

Any person in West Virginia who has reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited may make a report to APS. Reports may be made anonymously, and reporter identity is protected under WV Code § 9-6-8.

West Virginia law (WV Code § 9-6-9) designates mandatory reporters including medical and dental professionals, mental health professionals, Christian Science practitioners, religious healers, social service workers, law enforcement officers, human services workers, and others who regularly interact with vulnerable adults. These professionals are legally required to report suspected abuse.

Mandatory reporters who knowingly fail to report face a misdemeanor charge under WV Code § 9-6-14, punishable by a fine of up to $100, imprisonment for up to 10 days, or both. Good-faith reporters — mandatory or voluntary — are immune from civil and criminal liability under WV Code § 9-6-12.

What Happens After You Report to APS in West Virginia

West Virginia APS follows a tiered response process based on the level of risk identified in the report.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

Centralized Intake staff review the report to determine whether the alleged victim meets the definition of a vulnerable adult under WV Code § 9-6-1 and whether the reported conduct falls within APS's investigative jurisdiction. The case is assigned a response priority based on urgency and risk.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

West Virginia APS uses the following face-to-face contact timelines:

• Emergency (immediate danger or risk): face-to-face contact within 24 hours
• Severe risk (serious harm likely): face-to-face contact within 72 hours
• Standard (abuse or neglect, no immediate danger): face-to-face contact within 14 days

Investigation completion targets: abuse and neglect cases within 30 days; financial exploitation cases within 60 days.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes in-person contact with the alleged victim to assess their safety, living conditions, health, and capacity. The caseworker may interview family members, caregivers, neighbors, and medical providers. Financial exploitation cases may involve coordination with the West Virginia attorney general's office. Criminal conduct is referred to local law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When the investigation confirms abuse or identifies a vulnerable adult at risk, APS develops a service plan in collaboration with the adult. Services may include emergency shelter, in-home care, medical and mental health referrals, financial management assistance, and legal referrals. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. For adults lacking capacity and facing serious risk, APS may pursue court-ordered protective action under West Virginia law.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in West Virginia?

West Virginia APS investigates abuse in community settings — private homes and non-licensed residential environments. For complaints about abuse, neglect, or poor care inside a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or other licensed long-term care setting, contact the West Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-304-558-3317.

The Ombudsman is an independent advocate who investigates complaints on behalf of licensed facility residents. Complaints about facility licensing and regulatory compliance can be filed with the West Virginia Health Care Authority and Department of Health. For aguide to the nursing home complaint process in West Virginia.

Additional Resources in West Virginia

• West Virginia APS / Centralized Intake: 1-800-352-6513 (24/7)
• Bureau for Social Services
• West Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-304-558-3317
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse

For concerns involving a licensed nursing home or care facility in West Virginia, the West Virginia Nursing Home Complaint Guide explains the complaint process and how to contact the Ombudsman.