Resources to help you identify financial assistance for your care partner.
Medicaid
Cash and Counseling Programs:
If the person who is being cared for has a disability or chronic condition and is eligible for Medicaid, they may qualify for financial assistance that can be used to purchase necessary home and community-based services and supports. Payments will go to the family care partner or to pay for respite care.
These programs are sometimes known as cash & counseling, consumer, or self-directed programs, or other names selected by the specific state. Check with your state to see if they offer these services and any training that’s required.
List of state Self-Direction Programs: appliedselfdirection.com
Support
You may be able to receive support to provide care to a Medicaid patients. To see what is available in your state, go to:
- Medicaid Waivers
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Employer-Sponsored Care Partner Leave
- Get Paid by Family: Working together with family to understand the true cost of care for a family member when considering the cost of a nursing home, and in-home care they may recognize your support is a much more cost-effective option. If there are funds available, ask for compensation for your efforts.
If your family agrees to pay you for your caregiving efforts, consult with an attorney to arrange a contract that details your work and pay. Good documentation is important in future reimbursement from Medicaid, health insurance, or assisted living in the future.
Veteran Services
For care partners of veterans, you may be eligible for the Veteran Directed Care Program, Veterans Pensions, and/or Aid and Attendance benefit.
These programs can potentially provide some financial and other support. Check with your home state to determine what options are available to you. They may include:
- Directed Home & Community Based Care
- Veteran Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit
- Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
- Tax Credits: A way for the government to incentivize and compensate taxpayers for positive activities. A variety of tax credits cover a wide range of expenses and situations, such as education, green energy, and caregiving.
- Department for Aging: Health and Human Sources: (HHS)
Resources:
- Find your local Veterans Affairs (VA): va.gov
- File VA benefits with a professional: vetassist.org
- VA mental health support: mentalhealth.va.gov
- Apply and Establish a VA Disability rating: veterans.benefits.com
Paid Caregiver Program Locator
Provides tools, information and creative ideas to help families and caregivers discover the means to care for their elderly loved ones.
Programs of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregiver
- For mental health services, travel expenses, and access to the VA Caregiver Support: caregiver.va.gov
- ARCH Fact Sheets: Nine Steps to Respite for Military and Veterans Caregivers: archrespite.org
- Hidden Heroes: hiddenheroes.org
Structured Family Caregiving
Several states are approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer Structured Family Caregiving. The caregiver can be paid and receive additional support.
To Qualify: The individual needing care must be eligible for Medicaid, need 24-hour care and supervision, and require help from a caregiver with one or more daily personal care needs or Activities of Daily Living.
Check with your state Medicaid agency to see if they offer this program or a similar program.