{ "name": "medfrail.com paid to care", "version": "2026-10-26", "note": "Public programs that can pay a family member or friend to give care, and the help lines that point to them. Every line says what the agency's own page says, and names that page and the day it was read. Where the agency publishes no amount, amount is empty and the page says 'Ask the agency'. The agency decides who qualifies and how much it pays; this file only says what its page says. Read 2026-10-26.", "fields": { "id": "short key", "program": "the program's name", "agency": "who runs it", "area": "US = every state; CO = Colorado only", "pays": "yes = the agency page says a family member or friend can be paid; varies = it depends on the state or program; no = support only, the page lists no payment", "what": "what it does, in plain words", "who_it_is_for": "who the agency page says can use it", "amount": "the dollar figures the agency publishes; empty when it publishes none", "how_to_ask": "how to apply or ask, from the agency page", "phone": "the agency's own number, as it prints it", "match": "the tap answers that make this row show first (a hint for the person, never a decision)", "source": "the agency page the row was read from", "read": "the day that page was read", "quotes": "exact words from the source page; every number in the row appears in one of them" }, "programs": [ { "id": "co_cdass", "program": "Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)", "agency": "Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Health First Colorado)", "area": "CO", "pays": "yes", "what": "The person who needs care hires, trains and supervises their own attendants for personal care, homemaker and health maintenance tasks, and can choose family members or friends as paid caregivers (with some restrictions). A financial management services provider helps with the budget.", "who_it_is_for": "People enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid) who meet Community First Choice eligibility: an assessed need for personal care, homemaker or health maintenance help, and an institutional level of care (anyone already on an HCBS waiver meets it), and who want to direct all of their in-home care.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Already on Health First Colorado: contact your local Case Management Agency. Not enrolled yet: apply for Health First Colorado first. The Member Contact Center and Consumer Direct Colorado also answer questions.", "phone": "", "links": [ { "label": "Find your Case Management Agency", "url": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/case-management-agency-directory" }, { "label": "Apply for Health First Colorado", "url": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/how-to-apply" } ], "match": { "state": "CO", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/consumer-directed-attendant-support-services", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) lets you direct and manage the attendants who provide your personal care, homemaker, and health maintenance services.", "Choose family members, friends, or others (with some restrictions) as paid caregivers", "Manage a service budget with support from a Financial Management Services (FMS) provider", "If you are already enrolled in an HCBS waiver, you automatically meet institutional level of care", "Have a desire to self-direct all aspects of your in-home care", "If you are already enrolled in Health First Colorado, contact your local Case Management Agency (CMA) which specializes in determining eligibility, planning care, and providing referrals." ] }, { "id": "co_ihss", "program": "In-Home Support Services (IHSS)", "agency": "Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (Health First Colorado)", "area": "CO", "pays": "yes", "what": "The person who needs care selects and supervises their own attendants, including family members, with an IHSS-approved home health agency as the provider. Skilled and unskilled care can be in one plan, with training and oversight by a licensed health care professional if needed.", "who_it_is_for": "People enrolled in Health First Colorado who meet Community First Choice eligibility: an assessed need for personal care, homemaker or health maintenance help, and an institutional level of care (anyone already on an HCBS waiver meets it).", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Contact your local Case Management Agency to apply; it can also help plan what care you need. HCPF keeps a list of IHSS providers.", "phone": "", "links": [ { "label": "Find your Case Management Agency", "url": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/case-management-agency-directory" }, { "label": "IHSS provider list", "url": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/ihss-provider-list" } ], "match": { "state": "CO", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/in-home-support-services", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Select and supervise their own attendants (including family members)", "Choose an IHSS-approved home health agency to serve as their provider", "Receive skilled and unskilled care as part of one coordinated service plan", "Benefit from training and oversight by a licensed health care professional, if needed", "Contact your local Case Management Agency to apply. They can also help you plan what type of care you need." ] }, { "id": "co_participant_directed", "program": "Colorado participant-directed programs (paying family under HCBS waivers)", "agency": "Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Participant-Directed Programs unit", "area": "CO", "pays": "varies", "what": "CDASS and IHSS are Colorado's participant-directed Home and Community Based Services. Since July 1, 2025 they are offered to more people under Community First Choice. HCPF's pages read for this list do not publish the waiver-by-waiver rules for paying a spouse, or a parent of a minor child: ask your Case Management Agency.", "who_it_is_for": "People of all ages and all types of disability on Health First Colorado home and community services.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Questions or to apply: your local Case Management Agency, or Consumer Direct Colorado (the training and support contractor). To report a problem with CDASS or IHSS to HCPF: call 303-866-5638.", "phone": "303-866-5638", "links": [ { "label": "Find your Case Management Agency", "url": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/case-management-agency-directory" } ], "match": { "state": "CO", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://hcpf.colorado.gov/participant-directed-programs", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Participant-directed services are Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that help people of all ages, across all types of disabilities, maintain their independence", "Effective July 1, 2025 HCPF expanded the population that receives CDASS and IHSS under the Community First Choice (CFC) initiative.", "Call: 303-866-5638", "Contact your local Case Management Agency or the Training and Support contractor" ] }, { "id": "medicaid_self_direction", "program": "Medicaid self-directed services (every state)", "agency": "Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicaid.gov)", "area": "US", "pays": "varies", "what": "In self-direction, the person on Medicaid (or their representative) decides who provides their home care services and can recruit, hire, train and supervise those workers. States offer it under several Medicaid options; each state sets its own rules, including whether a family member can be the paid worker.", "who_it_is_for": "People on Medicaid who get home and community-based services in a state that offers self-direction.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Ask your state Medicaid office whether it offers self-directed or consumer-directed care, and whether a family member can be paid.", "phone": "", "links": [ { "label": "Find your state Medicaid office", "url": "https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/where-can-people-get-help-medicaid-chip" } ], "match": { "state": "any", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/self-directed-services", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Self-directed Medicaid services means that participants, or their representatives if applicable, have decision-making authority over certain services", "Self-direction promotes personal choice and control over the delivery of waiver and state plan services, including who provides the services and how services are provided.", "participants are afforded the decision-making authority to recruit, hire, train and supervise the individuals who furnish their services.", "States have several options under the state plan and waivers for providing enrollees with the option to self-direct Medicaid services" ] }, { "id": "usagov_paid_caregiver", "program": "Get paid as a caregiver for a family member (the federal guide)", "agency": "USAGov (U.S. General Services Administration)", "area": "US", "pays": "varies", "what": "The government's own summary of the ways a family member can be paid: a state Medicaid program, some long-term care insurance policies, state paid family leave, and three VA programs (Veteran-Directed care, Respite Care, and Aid and Attendance).", "who_it_is_for": "Family or friends who help a person with a disability with daily activities such as personal care, giving medicine, cooking and cleaning.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "If the person already has Medicaid, contact the state Medicaid office. Long-term care insurance: ask the insurance agent for a written confirmation of benefits. Paid family leave: contact your state labor office.", "phone": "", "links": [ { "label": "Find your state Medicaid office", "url": "https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/where-can-people-get-help-medicaid-chip" } ], "match": { "state": "any", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiver", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Some government programs pay family or friends of people with disabilities to help with daily activities. This can include personal care, giving medicine, cooking, and cleaning.", "If someone with a disability already receives Medicaid, their state may allow a family member or friend to become a paid caregiver.", "And the amount the program pays you to care for a family member varies by state.", "Some long-term care insurance policies allow family members to get paid as caregivers. Contact your insurance agent and ask for a written confirmation of benefits.", "There are three programs available for veterans:" ] }, { "id": "va_pcafc", "program": "VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)", "agency": "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs", "area": "US", "pays": "yes", "what": "A Primary Family Caregiver can get a monthly stipend, plus health coverage through CHAMPVA if they have no other plan, at least 30 days of respite care a year, and training and counseling. The Veteran can name 1 Primary and up to 2 Secondary Family Caregivers.", "who_it_is_for": "The caregiver is at least 18 and is family (spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily or extended family) or lives full time with the Veteran. The Veteran has a VA disability rating of 70% or higher, was discharged or has a date of medical discharge, needs at least 6 months of continuous in-person personal care, and is enrolled in VA health care.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "The Veteran and the caregiver apply together, online or with VA Form 10-10CG by mail or at a VA medical center. Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711), Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. VA assigns a caregiver no later than 90 days after it gets the application.", "phone": "855-260-3274", "links": [ { "label": "Apply for caregiver assistance (VA Form 10-10CG)", "url": "https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/apply-form-10-10cg/" } ], "match": { "state": "any", "veteran": "yes" }, "source": "https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "You must be at least 18 years old.", "You’re a spouse, son, daughter, parent, stepfamily member, or extended family member of the Veteran, or", "You live full time with the Veteran, or you’re willing to live full time with the Veteran if we designate you as a family caregiver", "The Veteran has a VA disability rating (individual or combined) of 70% or higher, and", "The Veteran needs at least 6 months of continuous, in-person personal care services, and", "1 Primary Family Caregiver (the main caregiver), and", "Up to 2 Secondary Family Caregivers", "A monthly stipend (payment).", "At least 30 days of respite care per year.", "Fill out a joint Application for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (VA Form 10-10CG).", "Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.", "We’ll assign you as a caregiver no later than 90 days after we get your application." ] }, { "id": "va_pgcss", "program": "VA Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)", "agency": "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs", "area": "US", "pays": "no", "what": "Support for the caregiver: peer support mentoring, skills training, coaching, telephone support, online programs and referrals. The page lists no payment.", "who_it_is_for": "Anyone who gives personal care to a Veteran enrolled in VA health care. You do not need to be a relative or live with the Veteran.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Contact the caregiver support team at your nearest VA facility, or ask the Veteran's VA health care team for a referral. The Veteran must agree and list you as their caregiver. Caregiver Support Line: 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711).", "phone": "855-260-3274", "links": [ { "label": "Find a VA caregiver support team", "url": "https://www.va.gov/resources/caregiver-support-teams" } ], "match": { "state": "any", "veteran": "yes" }, "source": "https://www.va.gov/resources/the-program-of-general-caregiver-support-services/", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "You care for a Veteran who is enrolled in VA health care, and", "You don’t need to be a relative or live with the Veteran to be considered a general caregiver.", "Contact the caregiver support team or the caregiver support coordinator at your nearest VA facility. You can also request a referral from the Veteran’s VA health care team.", "The Veteran must agree to receive care from you and have you listed as their caregiver in their health care record.", "Peer support mentoring", "Call the Caregiver Support Line at 855-260-3274 (TTY: 711)." ] }, { "id": "eldercare_locator", "program": "Eldercare Locator (finds your local Area Agency on Aging)", "agency": "U.S. Administration for Community Living", "area": "US", "pays": "no", "what": "A public service that connects older adults and their families to local services, such as the Area Agency on Aging, which can tell you which caregiver programs run where you live.", "who_it_is_for": "Older adults and their families.", "amount": "", "how_to_ask": "Call or text 1-800-677-1116 to reach trained staff, chat online, or search by your location.", "phone": "1-800-677-1116", "links": [], "match": { "state": "any", "veteran": "any" }, "source": "https://eldercare.acl.gov/", "read": "2026-10-26", "quotes": [ "Welcome to the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration for Community Living connecting you to services for older adults and their families.", "You can also reach us at 1-800-677-1116.", "Call or send a text message to trained staff." ] } ], "hand_off": { "name": "Keep your job while caring", "what": "Job-protected leave and paid leave to care for a family member: federal FMLA, Colorado FAMLI and Colorado paid sick leave.", "url": "https://www.medfrail.com/caregiver-leave" } }