How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Alaska
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Alaska-specific and federal payment sources that can pay for, reimburse, offset, or help plan for home care. Some are direct payment sources; others are indirect supports that reduce the amount of private home care a family must buy. Alaska's strongest state-specific pathways include Community First Choice (CFC) with consumer-directed personal care, state-plan Personal Care Services (PCS/CDPCA), the Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver, the IDD/ISW/APDD/CCMC specialized waivers, Senior In-Home Services and caregiver grants, and Senior Benefits and other household cost offsets, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Alaska veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Alaska Medicaid / LTSS
Community First Choice (CFC)
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid 1915(k) long-term services and supports for people who meet institutional-level-of-care and financial criteria; can include personal care, PERS, case management and chore services.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility plus institutional level of care; services require assessment and authorization.
How to start: Contact an ADRC/DDRC for screening and apply for CFC through SDS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; worker rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / Self-Direction
CFC Consumer-Directed Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Allows an eligible participant to manage authorized CFC personal care by choosing, hiring, scheduling, supervising and dismissing a PCA through a certified consumer-directed agency.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for CFC; PCA must meet enrollment/background/EVV requirements. Alaska Medicaid excludes legally responsible relatives from payment for personal care.
How to start: Tell the ADRC/SDS assessor you want the consumer-directed personal-care model.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for some relatives; legally responsible relatives are excluded
Consumer-Directed Personal Care Assistance (CDPCA)
YesHelps pay for: Lets a PCS recipient choose, hire, train, schedule, supervise and fire a PCA while the agency provides payroll/administrative support.
Who qualifies: Recipient or representative must be able to direct care; PCA must satisfy enrollment/background rules. Current Medicaid state-plan language excludes legally responsible relatives from payment.
How to start: Choose a certified consumer-directed PCS agency and complete the PCS assessment/application.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for some relatives; legally responsible relatives excluded
Alaska Medicaid / Personal Care
CFC Agency-Based Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Provides agency-managed personal care for authorized ADL/IADL needs when the participant prefers the agency to hire, schedule and supervise attendants.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility, assessment and service-level authorization; provider must be Medicaid certified.
How to start: Ask SDS/ADRC for CFC assessment and an agency-based provider list.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally through agency employment rules
Alaska Medicaid / Safety
CFC Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover an emergency-response system that supports safe community living and may reduce the need for constant paid supervision.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and authorization in the service plan.
How to start: Request PERS during CFC assessment/support planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Medicaid / Chore
CFC Chore Services
Partial / supportHelps pay for: Can cover authorized chore assistance needed to maintain a safe home environment when the task is permitted under CFC rules.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility, assessed need and service authorization; chore scope is regulated separately from personal care.
How to start: Ask the CFC care coordinator whether the needed chore service is covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; provider/relationship rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / Skill Building
CFC Skill-Building Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Can fund skill-building personal care designed to increase or maintain independence with daily activities.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility, assessed need and authorization; EVV applies to covered in-home personal care.
How to start: Ask the CFC assessor/care coordinator about skill-building PCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Possible under provider rules
Alaska Medicaid / State Plan
Personal Care Services (PCS)
YesHelps pay for: State-plan home care for assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, shopping, laundry, light housekeeping and other authorized ADL/IADL needs.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility plus functional assessment; PCS does not require the same institutional level of care as CFC.
How to start: Submit a PCS application or ask an ADRC/PCS agency for help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes
Alaska Medicaid / Agency Care
Agency-Based Personal Care Assistance (ABPCA)
YesHelps pay for: A certified personal-care agency hires, schedules, supervises and dispatches PCAs to provide the authorized service plan.
Who qualifies: Medicaid/PCS eligibility and authorization; agency is responsible for staffing and supervision.
How to start: Ask SDS/ADRC for an agency-based PCS provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Possible only if agency and relationship rules allow
Alaska Medicaid / Skilled Care
Medicaid Home Health / Skilled Home Care
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Can cover medically necessary skilled nursing, therapy, home-health aide services, medical social work, equipment and supplies through qualified home-health providers.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, medical necessity, provider participation and any prior-authorization requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and Medicaid provider about home-health orders and coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no
Alaska Medicaid / Transportation
Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover local ground transportation and, when medically necessary and authorized, travel outside the home community for covered care unavailable locally; an escort may also be covered.
Who qualifies: Must be Medicaid enrolled; medical necessity and provider authorization/referral rules apply.
How to start: Ask the medical provider to request travel authorization before the trip.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Medicaid / Insurance Offset
Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) Program
Offsets household/medical costHelps pay for: May help Medicaid recipients with access to employer or other health insurance pay eligible health-insurance costs when it is cost-effective for Medicaid.
Who qualifies: Must be Medicaid eligible and meet HIPP cost-effectiveness/coverage rules.
How to start: Ask Alaska Medicaid whether existing private coverage qualifies for HIPP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Medicaid / Working Disabled
Working Disabled Medicaid Buy-In
Indirect / preserves coverageHelps pay for: Allows qualifying working people with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while earning income, which can preserve access to home/community supports.
Who qualifies: Disability, work, income/resource and Medicaid Buy-In rules apply.
How to start: Ask DPA/DB101 about Working Disabled Medicaid eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Alaska Medicaid / Care Coordination
Medicaid Case Management Services
IndirectHelps pay for: Can coordinate providers, medical care and services for eligible Medicaid recipients with serious injuries or chronic conditions.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility and case-management criteria; not a substitute for direct personal-care hours.
How to start: Ask the treating provider or Comagine Health about case-management eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Medicaid / Waiver
Alaskans Living Independently (ALI) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Main HCBS waiver for adults age 21+ who require nursing-facility level of care and can be served safely in the community.
Who qualifies: Medicaid financial eligibility plus nursing-facility level of care and an approved support plan.
How to start: Contact ADRC/SDS for screening, assessment and a care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; special relative/LRI rules
Alaska Medicaid / ALI / Respite
ALI Waiver Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can authorize temporary relief for an unpaid caregiver as part of an approved ALI support plan.
Who qualifies: ALI eligibility, assessed caregiver need and support-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the ALI care coordinator to assess respite needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Medicaid / ALI / Chore
ALI Waiver Chore Services
Partial / supportHelps pay for: Can cover approved chore services needed to support safe community living when included in the support plan.
Who qualifies: ALI eligibility and authorization; service must meet waiver/regulatory scope.
How to start: Discuss home-management barriers with the care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; relationship rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / ALI / Accessibility
ALI Environmental Modification (E-Mod)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund qualifying accessibility changes such as ramps and other modifications; Alaska states the waiver E-Mod benefit can cover up to $40,000 every three years.
Who qualifies: Must be a qualifying Medicaid waiver recipient; project requires care-coordinator planning, bids and SDS approval before work begins.
How to start: Ask the waiver care coordinator to start an E-Mod request before purchasing or construction.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Medicaid / ALI / Care Management
ALI Waiver Care Coordination
IndirectHelps pay for: Pays certified care coordination to develop, monitor and update the waiver support plan and connect authorized services.
Who qualifies: ALI eligibility; care coordinator must meet Alaska certification and conflict-of-interest rules.
How to start: Select an available certified care coordinator after waiver eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No; immediate family/LRIs restricted from care coordination
Alaska Medicaid / ALI / Residential
ALI Residential Habilitation / Supported Living
Residential alternativeHelps pay for: When remaining fully independent at home is not feasible, an ALI plan may use approved residential habilitation or supported-living services as a community alternative to nursing-facility care.
Who qualifies: ALI eligibility, provider certification and support-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about community residential options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through qualified provider employment
Alaska Medicaid / Disability Waiver
Alaskans with Physical and Developmental Disabilities (APDD) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for adults 21+ with developmental disabilities who also meet nursing-facility level-of-care criteria.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, developmental-disability criteria, nursing-facility level of care and approved support plan.
How to start: Start with DDRC/SDS and complete eligibility/level-of-care assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; waiver relative/LRI rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / APDD / Respite
APDD Waiver Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can provide authorized respite to relieve unpaid caregivers supporting an APDD participant.
Who qualifies: APDD eligibility and support-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator to document caregiver-respite need.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Medicaid / APDD / Habilitation
APDD Habilitation / Supported Living Supports
Yes / supportHelps pay for: Can fund habilitation and community/residential supports that build or maintain daily living skills and reduce reliance on institutional care.
Who qualifies: APDD eligibility; service must be permitted and included in the approved support plan.
How to start: Work with the care coordinator/DD team to identify the correct habilitation service.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; provider and relationship rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / APDD / Home Support
APDD Environmental Modification & Chore Supports
Offsets care cost / partialHelps pay for: Can combine approved home accessibility modifications and chore supports to make community living safer and more sustainable.
Who qualifies: APDD eligibility, assessed need, provider qualifications and prior authorization.
How to start: Discuss accessibility/chore needs before purchasing services or modifications.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes for chore; not for E-Mod project itself
Alaska Medicaid / Pediatric Waiver
Children with Complex Medical Conditions (CCMC) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS waiver for medically fragile children and young adults under 22 who meet hospital or nursing-facility level-of-care criteria.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, age/medical fragility and required level of care; approved support plan.
How to start: Contact SDS/Nursing Unit for CCMC application and assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; special LRI exceptions exist
Alaska Medicaid / CCMC / Family Support
CCMC In-Home Supports / Supported Living
YesHelps pay for: Can authorize intensive in-home/support services for medically complex participants; current waiver rules include limited pathways for legally responsible individuals in specified circumstances.
Who qualifies: CCMC eligibility and support-plan authorization; an LRI must meet provider qualifications and the specific waiver exception/court/plan rules.
How to start: Ask the CCMC care coordinator to review whether the needed service and proposed family worker qualify.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Possible in defined circumstances
Alaska Medicaid / CCMC / Respite
CCMC Waiver Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can provide temporary relief to family caregivers of eligible medically complex children/young adults.
Who qualifies: CCMC eligibility and respite authorization in the support plan.
How to start: Ask the CCMC care coordinator about respite hours/providers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Medicaid / I/DD Waiver
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Comprehensive HCBS waiver for people who meet Alaska developmental-disability and ICF/IID level-of-care criteria.
Who qualifies: DD determination, Medicaid eligibility, ICF/IID level of care, registry/selection rules and approved support plan.
How to start: Contact a DDRC to pursue DD determination and waiver process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; relative/legal-guardian rules apply
Individualized Supports Waiver (ISW)
YesHelps pay for: A capped HCBS waiver for eligible people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who can be served with a more limited package of individualized supports.
Who qualifies: DD determination, Medicaid eligibility, ICF/IID level of care, participant cap/cost limit and approved support plan.
How to start: Contact DDRC/IDD Unit and indicate interest in ISW.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; relative rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / IDD / Habilitation
IDD Waiver Habilitation & Day Supports
Yes / supportHelps pay for: Can fund habilitation/day supports that build daily-living, community and independence skills.
Who qualifies: IDD waiver eligibility and service-plan authorization; worker/provider qualifications apply.
How to start: Ask the IDD care coordinator about habilitation options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; qualified relative rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / IDD / Respite
IDD Waiver Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can authorize respite to relieve unpaid family caregivers while maintaining the participant in the community.
Who qualifies: IDD waiver eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Request respite through the care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Medicaid / IDD / Accessibility
IDD Environmental Modification & Chore Services
Offsets care cost / partialHelps pay for: Can fund approved home modifications and chore supports that improve safety and independence.
Who qualifies: IDD eligibility, assessed need and prior authorization; E-Mod project cap/rules apply.
How to start: Discuss barriers with the care coordinator before spending.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes for chore; no for E-Mod contractor cost
Alaska Medicaid / IDD / Community
IDD Residential, Employment & Community Supports
Yes / supportHelps pay for: Can authorize residential living, employment and community-based supports designed to avoid institutional care and increase independence.
Who qualifies: IDD waiver eligibility; service availability and support-plan authorization vary.
How to start: Work with DDRC/care coordinator to identify needed supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; qualified relative rules apply
Alaska Medicaid / ISW / Respite
ISW Respite & Habilitation
Yes / respiteHelps pay for: Can include respite and habilitation supports within the ISW participant’s authorized cost limit and support plan.
Who qualifies: ISW eligibility, service availability and individual cost cap.
How to start: Ask the ISW care coordinator to prioritize respite/habilitation in the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes for qualified workers
Alaska Medicaid / ISW / Home Support
ISW Chore, Environmental & Community Supports
Offsets care cost / partialHelps pay for: Can combine permitted chore, environmental modification and community supports within the ISW budget/cost cap.
Who qualifies: ISW eligibility and individual cost cap; each service must meet waiver rules.
How to start: Review the annual budget with the care coordinator before committing funds.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes for qualified direct workers
Alaska Aging / State Grants
Senior In-Home Services (SIH) Grants
Yes / subsidizedHelps pay for: State/community grant-funded services can provide case management, chore assistance, respite, personal care and extended support for eligible seniors and some adults with ADRD.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+ with functional impairment, or certain adults under 60 with ADRD/similar need; local funding and provider availability vary.
How to start: Contact an SIH provider or ADRC for screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no direct continuous wage
Alaska Aging / Adult Day
Adult Day Services Grants
Offsets care cost / respiteHelps pay for: Provides supervised therapeutic/social day services for functionally impaired seniors and adults with ADRD, offering caregiver respite and reducing in-home supervision hours.
Who qualifies: Generally seniors 60+ with functional impairment and adults under 60 with ADRD; local program criteria/funding apply.
How to start: Contact the nearest Adult Day Services provider or ADRC.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Aging / Caregiver Support
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Provides caregiver information, service navigation, respite, support groups, training and limited supplemental services through Alaska grantees.
Who qualifies: Caregiver/care-recipient relationship and age criteria under the Older Americans Act; local funding varies.
How to start: Contact a listed Alaska Family Caregiver Support grantee.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Aging / Nutrition
Home-Delivered & Congregate Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Grant-funded senior nutrition programs can provide home-delivered or congregate meals, reducing food and meal-preparation costs and adding safety checks/social support.
Who qualifies: Local provider criteria; generally focused on older adults and those with greatest need.
How to start: Ask the ADRC or local senior nutrition grantee.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Aging / Transportation
Senior Transportation & Support Services Grants
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Local grantees provide transportation and supportive services that can reduce caregiver driving time and out-of-pocket transportation costs.
Who qualifies: Service area, age, need and funding rules vary by local grantee.
How to start: Ask ADRC for the current provider serving the community.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Aging / Dementia
ADRD Education & Support Grants
Partial / supportHelps pay for: Community-based grants support Alzheimer’s and related dementia education, caregiver support and connections to respite/in-home resources.
Who qualifies: Program and service-area rules vary; available through funded local agencies.
How to start: Ask ADRC/SDS for the current ADRD grantee serving the area.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Alaska Disability / Brain Injury
Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injury (TABI) Services / Mini-Grants
Sometimes / limited grantHelps pay for: Provides navigation, independent-living support, peer support and supplemental mini-grants for supplies/services; Alaska currently lists up to $2,500 per year and $5,000 over five years.
Who qualifies: Must have a qualifying traumatic or acquired brain injury; grant limits and local grantee rules apply.
How to start: Contact the nearest TABI grantee.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Cash Support
Senior Benefits Program
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Monthly cash benefit for qualifying Alaska residents age 65+ with low-to-moderate income; current payment levels are $125, $175 or $250 per month depending on income.
Who qualifies: Age 65+, Alaska residency, citizenship/qualified-alien and income rules; resources do not count for this program.
How to start: Apply through Alaska Connect or call DPA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly if household chooses
Adult Public Assistance (APA)
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Monthly cash support for low-income Alaskans who are age 65+, blind or disabled; funds can help with housing, food, utilities, transportation and personal needs.
Who qualifies: Age/disability, residency, citizenship, income and resource rules apply.
How to start: Apply through Alaska Connect or DPA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Alaska Navigation
Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
IndirectHelps pay for: Free statewide counseling and pre-screening for in-home care, Medicaid, Medicare, transportation, home modifications, assistive technology and caregiver resources.
Who qualifies: Available statewide to seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers regardless of income.
How to start: Call statewide ADRC and request options counseling/pre-screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Disability / Grant
Alaska Mental Health Trust DD Mini-Grants
Sometimes / limited grantHelps pay for: Trust-funded mini-grants can help qualifying beneficiaries with disability-related needs; the state resource page lists up to $2,500 per beneficiary per year through an agency.
Who qualifies: Must qualify as a Trust beneficiary; application is made by an agency on behalf of the beneficiary and funding is limited.
How to start: Ask DDRC/Trust-funded local agency about current mini-grant availability.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Alaska Residential Alternative
General Relief Assisted Living Home Program
Residential alternativeHelps pay for: Temporary state-funded assistance for eligible adults who require assisted-living placement; covers supportive daily-living services but not nursing/medical care.
Who qualifies: Alaska resident, program eligibility/waitlist and placement in a participating assisted-living home; participant contributes income under program rules.
How to start: Apply/confirm through SDS if drawn from the General Relief waitlist.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Alaska Rural Elder Support
Senior Residential Services (SRS) Grants
Residential alternative / subsidizedHelps pay for: Supports rural/remote providers that help frail elders and certain adults with ADRD/disability remain near family and community in small residential settings.
Who qualifies: Provider/service area and participant criteria vary; targeted to rural/remote communities and people at risk of institutionalization.
How to start: Ask ADRC/SDS whether an SRS grantee serves the community.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Food Cost Reduction
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Provides monthly USDA foods to qualifying low-income Alaskans age 60+, reducing food costs that can free household funds for care.
Who qualifies: Age 60+ and income eligibility; distributed through participating Alaska grantees.
How to start: Contact Food Bank of Alaska or Fairbanks Community Food Bank program.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Provides a seasonal electronic food benefit for qualifying low-income seniors in participating communities; the 2026 benefit is $55.
Who qualifies: Age 60+, income below 185% FPL and residence in a participating community; seasonal availability.
How to start: Apply through an authorized senior distribution agency/Healthy Together.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Food benefits through the Alaska Quest card can reduce grocery spending, preserving income for care and other needs; Alaska has special rural/subsistence rules.
Who qualifies: Alaska residency and SNAP income/resource/household rules apply; special higher asset limit for households with an elderly/disabled member.
How to start: Apply through Alaska Connect or DPA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Counseling
Alaska Medicare Information Office / SHIP
Offsets household/medical costHelps pay for: Free unbiased Medicare counseling can help beneficiaries optimize coverage and locate programs that reduce premiums, drug costs and other expenses.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary/family; counseling is free statewide.
How to start: Call the Alaska Medicare Information Office.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health
Yes - limited/skilledHelps pay for: Medicare can cover intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and qualifying home-health aide services when statutory coverage requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Must meet Medicare home-health coverage requirements, including skilled need and physician/practitioner certification; not general 24/7 custodial care.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician for a Medicare-certified home-health referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare / Caregiver Support
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Partial / caregiver supportHelps pay for: Medicare may cover caregiver training when needed to help a caregiver support a beneficiary’s treatment plan or daily health needs.
Who qualifies: Coverage depends on Medicare rules, medical necessity and eligible provider billing.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician whether caregiver training is appropriate and covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No caregiver wage
Medicare / Dementia
GUIDE Dementia Care Model
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Participating GUIDE providers can offer dementia care coordination, caregiver education/support and respite for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Must meet GUIDE eligibility and be served by a participating organization; availability is provider-specific.
How to start: Use CMS GUIDE participant directory / ask local dementia providers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous wage
Medicare Cost Reduction
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Can pay Medicare premiums and, depending on MSP category, deductibles/coinsurance, preserving income for home-care expenses.
Who qualifies: Medicare eligibility plus Alaska income/resource limits; 2026 limits are published by Alaska’s Medicare Information Office.
How to start: Apply through Alaska DPA / Alaska Connect or call SHIP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Prescription Cost Reduction
Extra Help / Part D Low-Income Subsidy
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Reduces Medicare Part D premiums, deductibles and prescription copays for qualifying beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Income/resource limits apply; Medicaid/SSI/MSP recipients often qualify automatically.
How to start: Apply through Social Security or ask Alaska MIO for help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Energy Cost Reduction
Heating Assistance Program (HAP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Seasonal assistance helps qualifying low-income Alaska households pay home-heating costs; benefit varies by income, household, heat source, location and housing type.
Who qualifies: Household income and heating-cost rules apply; seasonal application window and annual guidelines change.
How to start: Apply through DPA for the heating season.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Energy / Cost Reduction
Alaska Weatherization Assistance Program
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Provides no-cost weatherization to income-qualified homeowners and renters, reducing heating/energy costs and improving home safety/comfort.
Who qualifies: Income limits and provider-area rules apply; homeowners and renters may apply.
How to start: Contact the AHFC weatherization provider serving the area.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax / Cost Reduction
Senior & Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Alaska law requires municipalities to exempt the first $150,000 of assessed value of a qualifying primary residence for residents age 65+ or qualifying disabled veterans; local filing rules apply.
Who qualifies: Primary residence plus age 65+ or qualifying disabled-veteran status; application deadline/process set locally.
How to start: File with the local municipal/borough assessor.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Yes, policy-dependentHelps pay for: Existing LTC insurance may reimburse or pay for qualifying home care, personal care, respite or other covered long-term services according to the policy.
Who qualifies: Benefit triggers, elimination period, covered-provider rules, daily/monthly caps and policy exclusions apply.
How to start: Review the policy and open a claim with the carrier before arranging care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, policy-dependent
Home Equity
Reverse Mortgage / HECM
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Eligible homeowners may convert home equity to cash that can be used for care and household costs while remaining in the home, subject to loan obligations.
Who qualifies: Generally age 62+ for HECM; borrower must meet HUD/lender counseling, equity and occupancy requirements and continue taxes/insurance/maintenance.
How to start: Use a HUD-approved HECM counselor before applying.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may pay an authorized community aide to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply.
How to start: Ask Alaska VA primary care/social work for assessment and authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Provides a flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans who need personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to local program rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran, community-care eligibility, clinical need and local VDC availability.
How to start: Ask the Alaska VA social worker whether VDC is available locally.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly VA pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other Aid & Attendance criteria; cash can be used toward care.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA Pension plus Aid & Attendance medical/financial criteria.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited Veteran Service Officer.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may pay an authorized community aide to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply. Ask VA primary care/social work for assessment and authorization.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to local program rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical need; VDC must be available through the local VA/partner network. Ask the VA social worker specifically about Veteran-Directed Care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care (VDC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Skilled Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: VA may purchase skilled nursing, therapy and related home-health services from authorized community providers.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility and authorization/local provider availability. Ask the VA care team for skilled home-health assessment/referral.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Skilled Home Health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: VA may arrange in-home, adult-day or nursing-home respite to give an eligible caregiver a break.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA enrollment and local availability; community-care authorization may apply. Ask the caregiver support coordinator/social worker.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Aid & Attendance
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities, are bedridden, have severe visual impairment or meet nursing-home criteria.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for VA Pension and meet Aid & Attendance criteria. Apply through VA or an accredited representative/VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Aid & Attendance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct caregiver stipendHelps pay for: May pay an approved primary family caregiver a monthly stipend and provide training, counseling, respite and other supports.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet PCAFC eligibility and complete VA assessment/enrollment. Apply jointly through VA Caregiver Support.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Community Care Network - Region 5
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care can include home health and other approved services. Alaska is the only state in CCN Region 5, administered by TriWest.
Who qualifies: VA referral/authorization and community-care eligibility generally apply. Obtain VA authorization before routine community care; do not assume reimbursement after private hire.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Community Care Network - Region 5.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Pension
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Monthly needs-based pension for qualifying wartime Veterans with limited income/net worth; pension cash can help fund care.
Who qualifies: Wartime service, age/disability, discharge, income/net-worth and other VA pension rules apply. Apply through VA or an accredited VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Housebound Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Higher VA pension amount for qualifying pension recipients who are substantially confined to home because of permanent disability.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA Pension and meet Housebound criteria; cannot receive both A&A and Housebound add-ons at the same time. Apply with pension claim or request increased pension.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Housebound Pension Add-On.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: VA HISA grants may pay for medically necessary home changes that improve access to essential areas or permit treatment at home.
Who qualifies: Eligibility, medical justification, lifetime limit and project requirements apply. Ask VA prosthetics/primary care about a HISA application before construction.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Adult Day Health Care
Offsets care cost / day careHelps pay for: VA may provide or purchase adult day health services, including supervision, activities and health-related care, which can reduce in-home caregiver hours.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need and local availability/authorization. Ask the VA social worker or geriatric care team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Hospice Care
Yes - hospiceHelps pay for: VA can provide or purchase hospice services for eligible Veterans with terminal illness, including symptom management and caregiver support in the home or other settings.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, hospice eligibility/clinical criteria and care-team authorization. Ask the VA physician/social worker for hospice evaluation.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Hospice Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Where Alaska Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Best first call for in-home care, CFC/PCS screening, transportation, home modifications and aging/disability options
Alaska Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRC)
CFC, PCS, HCBS waivers, assessments, provider questions and state/community grants
Senior & Disabilities Services (SDS)
Medicaid, Senior Benefits, Adult Public Assistance, SNAP and Heating Assistance
Division of Public Assistance (DPA)
DD determination, IDD/ISW waiver navigation and disability services
Developmental Disabilities Resource Connection (DDRC)
Medicare counseling, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and coverage comparisons
Alaska Medicare Information Office / SHIP
Respite, training, support groups, service navigation and supplemental caregiver services
Family Caregiver Support Program
Local and out-of-community medically necessary travel; provider requests authorization
Medicaid Transportation
Local community, food, housing, utility and social-service referrals
Alaska 211
No-cost weatherization for qualifying homeowners/renters
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation - Weatherization
Long-term care insurance questions, consumer assistance and complaints
Alaska Division of Insurance
State Veteran Service Officers and help identifying/applying for VA benefits
Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs
VA health care, pension, Aid & Attendance, caregiver benefits and Community Care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
CFC and PCS have different eligibility thresholds
CFC requires institutional-level-of-care eligibility, while state-plan PCS can serve Medicaid beneficiaries with qualifying functional needs who do not necessarily meet that CFC level-of-care threshold.
Consumer-directed PCS is a real paid-worker pathway—but family rules matter
Alaska lets CDPCA participants choose and hire their own PCA. Current Medicaid state-plan language excludes a legally responsible relative from payment, so the agency should clear the proposed family worker before any paid hours begin.
Waiver family-caregiver rules are more nuanced than PCS rules
Alaska waiver documents allow some qualified relatives/legal guardians to furnish services, but legally responsible individuals have special court/plan/provider requirements. Do not assume a spouse, parent or guardian is automatically payable.
ALI is the first waiver to screen for many older adults
The Alaskans Living Independently waiver serves adults age 21+ who meet nursing-facility level of care and can authorize a broad community support package, including respite, chore, care coordination and E-Mod.
Alaska has five distinct HCBS waivers
ALI, APDD, CCMC, IDD and ISW target different populations and levels of support. DD determination/registry steps are especially important for IDD and ISW.
E-Mod has a meaningful but controlled home-modification benefit
For qualifying waiver recipients, Alaska states E-Mod can cover up to $40,000 every three years. The care coordinator and SDS must approve the project before work begins.
Senior In-Home Services can fill gaps outside Medicaid
Grant-funded SIH can provide personal care, chore, respite and case management to eligible seniors and certain adults with ADRD, but funding and provider availability vary by region.
Rural and remote staffing is a major planning constraint
A service may be authorized but difficult to staff in remote communities. Confirm provider capacity, travel rules, tribal resources and backup-care arrangements before relying on a benefit.
ADRC is the best first navigation call for most families
Alaska ADRCs provide statewide pre-screening and options counseling for Medicaid LTSS, aging programs, transportation, modifications and caregiver resources at 855-565-2017.
Senior Benefits and APA are flexible cash, not earmarked home-care benefits
These programs can preserve or redirect household cash toward care, but they are not Medicaid personal-care authorizations and do not create an employer/payroll structure for a family caregiver.
Medicare is not a general custodial home-care benefit
Medicare home health is limited by skilled/intermittent coverage rules. GUIDE and caregiver-training benefits can help, but ongoing custodial care usually requires Medicaid, VA, insurance or private resources.
Alaska home-care costs and travel constraints vary widely
CareScout reports a 2025 Alaska median of $86,944 for 44 hours/week of non-medical caregiving. Anchorage-area pricing and availability may differ sharply from rural/remote communities, where travel and workforce constraints can dominate the plan.
Program rules, income limits, and availability change over time and can vary by county. Confirm current details with the program directly, or ask a home care provider in Alaska to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Alaska
These providers serve families in Alaska and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
Genacta – Anchorage, AK
Serving Alaska
Genacta provides home care services in Anchorage, AK and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Genacta – Soldotna, AK
Serving Alaska
Genacta provides home care services in Soldotna, AK and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Genacta – Wasilla, AK
Serving Alaska
Genacta provides home care services in Wasilla, AK and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →