How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Arizona
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Arizona-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. Arizona's primary long-term care pathway is the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), which can deliver substantial services at home for financially and medically eligible members, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Arizona veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Private Pay
Personal income, Social Security, pensions, savings and investments
Direct payerHelps pay for: Use personal funds to purchase any amount of licensed agency care or privately hired help.
Who qualifies: Anyone with available resources.
How to start: Contact home care providers directly.
Good to know: Most flexible option; build a written care schedule before purchasing hours.
Home care agency
Direct payerHelps pay for: Agency employs/schedules caregivers and bills the client for personal care, homemaker and companion services.
Who qualifies: Private-pay clients; insurance or other benefits may reimburse in some cases.
How to start: Compare licensed/qualified providers and obtain written quotes.
Good to know: Ask about minimum shifts, overtime, transportation, background checks, backup staffing and annual rate changes.
Direct-hire household caregiver
Direct payerHelps pay for: Family hires a caregiver directly, often at a lower gross hourly rate than an agency.
Who qualifies: Families able to manage payroll, supervision, backup care and employment compliance.
How to start: Use a payroll provider or tax professional if needed.
Good to know: The worker may be a household employee; federal/state payroll and wage rules can apply.
Family personal-care agreement
Direct payerHelps pay for: The care recipient pays a relative under a written agreement for documented care.
Who qualifies: Families with private funds and a relative able to provide care.
How to start: Consult elder-law/tax professionals before starting payments.
Good to know: Use a prospective written agreement, reasonable market rate, time records and payment records; Medicaid planning should be reviewed by an elder-law attorney.
Insurance
Traditional long-term care insurance
Direct payerHelps pay for: May reimburse or pay benefits for qualifying home care after the policy benefit trigger and elimination period are met.
Who qualifies: People who already own a policy or can still medically qualify for new coverage.
How to start: Contact the insurer/claims department.
Good to know: Review home-care provider requirements, daily/monthly limits, elimination period and total benefit pool.
Arizona Long-Term Care Partnership policy
Direct payerHelps pay for: Qualifying LTC insurance can pay for care and may protect assets equal to qualifying benefits paid when later applying for ALTCS.
Who qualifies: People with a Partnership-qualified policy.
How to start: Verify Partnership status with insurer and retain the policy/benefit statements.
Good to know: Arizona began its Partnership program in 2008; the resource exclusion is tied to qualifying policy benefits paid and also affects estate recovery.
Hybrid life insurance / long-term care policy
Direct payerHelps pay for: Allows acceleration of life-insurance value for qualifying long-term care or chronic illness, depending on contract.
Who qualifies: Policyholders with qualifying riders or combination policies.
How to start: Request an in-force illustration and rider details from insurer.
Good to know: Using benefits generally reduces remaining death benefit.
Accelerated death benefit or chronic-illness rider
SometimesHelps pay for: May allow early access to part of a life insurance death benefit for qualifying illness or care needs.
Who qualifies: Policyholders whose contract contains the feature and who meet its trigger.
How to start: Contact insurer before arranging care.
Good to know: Not all policies cover custodial home care; tax and benefit effects vary.
Life settlement / viatical settlement
SometimesHelps pay for: Sale of a life insurance policy can create cash that may be used for care.
Who qualifies: Some policyholders, especially older adults or those with serious illness.
How to start: Use regulated settlement professionals and independent legal/financial advice.
Good to know: Can affect taxes, Medicaid eligibility and estate plans; proceeds may be well below death benefit.
Financial Planning
Annuity income
Direct payerHelps pay for: Regular annuity payments can be applied to home-care bills.
Who qualifies: People with existing annuities or assets appropriate for annuitization.
How to start: Consult independent financial/elder-law professionals.
Good to know: Review liquidity, surrender charges, inflation risk, taxes and ALTCS treatment before buying a new annuity.
Home Equity
HECM reverse mortgage
Direct payerHelps pay for: Homeowners 62+ may access home equity to pay ongoing care without traditional monthly principal-and-interest payments.
Who qualifies: Eligible homeowners with sufficient equity who plan to remain in the home.
How to start: Use a HUD-approved reverse-mortgage counselor before signing.
Good to know: Loan balance grows; taxes, insurance and property obligations continue; counseling is required for HECM.
Home equity loan or HELOC
Direct payerHelps pay for: Borrowing against home equity can fund care expenses.
Who qualifies: Homeowners who qualify and can handle repayment.
How to start: Compare bank/credit-union terms and total borrowing cost.
Good to know: Creates monthly debt service and foreclosure risk if payments cannot be made.
Sell, downsize or rent part of the home
Direct payerHelps pay for: Sale proceeds or rental income can create funds for care.
Who qualifies: Homeowners whose housing situation can change safely.
How to start: Coordinate with financial/estate planning.
Good to know: Consider tax, accessibility, caregiver space and long-term housing needs.
Tax / Accounts
Health Savings Account (HSA)
SometimesHelps pay for: Tax-free HSA withdrawals may pay qualifying medical and qualified long-term care expenses.
Who qualifies: HSA owners with eligible expenses.
How to start: Review IRS Publication 969 and 502.
Good to know: Ordinary companionship/housekeeping does not automatically qualify; retain documentation.
Federal medical-expense deduction
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Qualified long-term care or nursing-type services may count toward itemized medical deductions when IRS requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Taxpayers who itemize and have qualifying unreimbursed expenses above the applicable threshold.
How to start: Consult a tax professional.
Good to know: A care plan/medical certification and task-level documentation may be important.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Some care costs may qualify when care for an incapable spouse/dependent enables the taxpayer to work or look for work.
Who qualifies: Taxpayers meeting relationship, dependency, work and provider rules.
How to start: Review IRS Publication 503.
Good to know: The same expense cannot generally be double-counted for multiple tax benefits.
Employment / Tax
Employer dependent-care assistance / Dependent Care FSA
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Employer-provided dependent-care assistance may reimburse qualifying care expenses when care for an incapable spouse or dependent enables the employee to work.
Who qualifies: Employees whose employer offers the benefit and whose care recipient/expense meets federal dependent-care rules.
How to start: Ask HR/benefits administrator and review IRS Publication 503.
Good to know: Annual limits and eligible expenses apply; long-term custodial care is not automatically qualifying. Coordinate with the Child and Dependent Care Credit rules.
Arizona Workers Compensation
Arizona workers compensation home health / attendant care for a compensable injury
SometimesHelps pay for: For a compensable work-related injury, Arizona workers compensation may authorize medically necessary home health, nursing, personal care or attendant care.
Who qualifies: Arizona workers with an accepted compensable claim and medically necessary home-care services.
How to start: Work through the workers compensation payer, treating provider and Industrial Commission of Arizona.
Good to know: Arizona 2026 home-health guidelines require payer authorization for nursing and personal care services and supporting documentation of attendant-care need.
Medicare
Original Medicare home health
Direct payer (limited)Helps pay for: May cover part-time/intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and limited home health aide services when Medicare requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Homebound Medicare beneficiaries who need qualifying skilled care and have an ordered plan of care.
How to start: Ask physician/provider for a Medicare-certified home health referral.
Good to know: Does not cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, routine homemaker services, or custodial personal care when that is the only need.
Medicare Advantage supplemental in-home benefits
SometimesHelps pay for: Some plans may offer supplemental in-home support, meals, transportation or care-management benefits beyond Original Medicare.
Who qualifies: Members of plans that offer the specific benefit and meet plan criteria.
How to start: Call the plan and ask for written benefit details.
Good to know: Highly plan-, county- and year-specific; verify the current Evidence of Coverage and authorization rules.
Medicare GUIDE dementia-care model
Direct payer (limited respite)Helps pay for: Participating GUIDE organizations provide dementia care navigation, caregiver support and qualifying respite for eligible Original Medicare beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Eligible people with dementia in Original Medicare served by a participating GUIDE organization.
How to start: Use CMS GUIDE participant directory / 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know: Respite is limited and arranged through the GUIDE participant; not a general cash caregiver stipend.
Medicare caregiver training
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Part B may cover caregiver training needed to carry out a treatment plan, reducing the need to purchase some skilled teaching privately.
Who qualifies: Medicare patients whose clinician determines caregiver training is medically necessary.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician.
Good to know: Does not pay caregiver wages.
Hospice home services
Direct payer (limited)Helps pay for: For eligible terminally ill patients, hospice may provide nursing, hospice aide/homemaker visits, equipment, supplies and short-term respite.
Who qualifies: Patients who meet hospice eligibility and elect the Medicare hospice benefit.
How to start: Ask physician/hospice for eligibility evaluation.
Good to know: Not a general 24-hour custodial home-care benefit; frequency is based on hospice plan of care.
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Covered equipment such as hospital beds, walkers or lifts may reduce caregiver burden and out-of-pocket equipment costs.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiaries with medical need and qualifying orders.
How to start: Use Medicare-enrolled suppliers.
Good to know: Coverage/cost-sharing rules apply; not a payment for caregiver hours.
Medigap
Cost offsetHelps pay for: May reduce deductibles/coinsurance for services covered by Original Medicare, preserving household funds for home care.
Who qualifies: Original Medicare beneficiaries with a Medigap policy.
How to start: Review policy benefits or call Arizona SHIP.
Good to know: Generally does not cover long-term custodial home care itself.
Arizona Medicare Help
Arizona SHIP counseling
Cost-navigationHelps pay for: Free unbiased counseling can identify Medicare coverage, lower-cost plan choices and assistance programs that preserve funds for care.
Who qualifies: Arizona Medicare beneficiaries, families and caregivers.
How to start: Call Arizona SHIP.
Good to know: SHIP is counseling, not direct home-care funding.
Arizona Cost Offset
AHCCCS Medicare Savings Program - QMB
Cost offsetHelps pay for: For eligible Medicare beneficiaries, QMB can pay Medicare Part A/B premiums plus Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
Who qualifies: Arizona residents meeting Medicare Part A and QMB eligibility rules.
How to start: Apply through AHCCCS/Health-e-Arizona Plus.
Good to know: Savings can free monthly cash flow for home-care expenses.
AHCCCS Medicare Savings Program - SLMB
Cost offsetHelps pay for: SLMB pays Medicare Part B premium for eligible beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Arizona residents with Medicare Part A and qualifying income.
How to start: Apply through AHCCCS.
Good to know: Not direct home-care payment, but lowers recurring healthcare costs.
AHCCCS Medicare Savings Program - QI-1
Cost offsetHelps pay for: QI-1 pays Medicare Part B premium for eligible beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Arizona residents meeting QI-1 requirements; cannot also receive another Medicaid program under current policy.
How to start: Apply through AHCCCS.
Good to know: Annual eligibility/funding rules apply.
SNAP / Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP)
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Food assistance can preserve household cash for caregiver expenses.
Who qualifies: Qualifying Arizona households; ESAP simplifies SNAP participation for certain elderly/disabled households.
How to start: Apply through Health-e-Arizona Plus / DES.
Good to know: Not a home-care benefit, but can materially reduce living expenses.
Arizona Property Tax Credit (Form 140PTC)
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Very-low-income older adults or SSI recipients may qualify for a state property-tax/rent-related credit, freeing funds for care.
Who qualifies: Arizona residents meeting age/SSI, income and property-tax/rent criteria.
How to start: Arizona Department of Revenue.
Good to know: Income thresholds are very low and change only as provided by state law/instructions; verify current tax-year rules.
Arizona Medicaid / ALTCS
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) - overall HCBS benefit
Direct payerHelps pay for: Arizona Medicaid long-term care can provide a broad package of home and community-based services to eligible people who require nursing-facility level of care.
Who qualifies: Financially and medically eligible Arizona residents with age-related/physical or developmental disability needs.
How to start: Apply through ALTCS / Health-e-Arizona Plus.
Good to know: Members do not have to live in a nursing home; many receive services at home.
ALTCS attendant care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Pays for direct assistance with ADLs and other authorized needs in the home.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with assessed direct-care needs.
How to start: Work with ALTCS health plan/case manager.
Good to know: Hours are authorized through assessment/care planning.
ALTCS personal care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Pays for authorized personal assistance such as bathing, dressing, grooming and mobility support.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with assessed need.
How to start: Work with ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Benefit amount depends on care plan.
ALTCS homemaker services
Direct payerHelps pay for: Pays for authorized homemaker tasks that support safe community living.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with approved need.
How to start: Work with ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Service must be authorized as part of the plan of care.
ALTCS home health services
Direct payerHelps pay for: Can cover nursing, home health aide and therapy services for eligible ALTCS members.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with clinical/functional need.
How to start: Work with ALTCS health plan/case manager.
Good to know: Separate from non-medical attendant care; authorization applies.
ALTCS private-duty nursing / licensed health aide
Direct payerHelps pay for: Can fund higher-acuity in-home clinical support when medically necessary and authorized.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members meeting medical necessity criteria.
How to start: Work with ALTCS health plan/case manager.
Good to know: Prior authorization and service-plan requirements apply.
ALTCS adult day health care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Pays for authorized day health services that can substitute for some in-home paid hours while providing supervision and health support.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with approved need.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Transportation/attendance rules depend on plan and provider.
ALTCS respite care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Provides temporary relief to an unpaid caregiver through authorized respite services.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members whose service plan includes respite.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Authorization and annual/plan limits may apply.
ALTCS home-delivered meals
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Meal delivery can reduce the number of paid caregiver hours needed for meal preparation.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with authorized need.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Not a cash benefit; service must be in the care plan.
ALTCS home modifications
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Pays for approved accessibility/safety changes that can reduce hands-on assistance needs.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members when modification is medically/clinically justified and authorized.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Prior approval and cost-effectiveness rules apply.
ALTCS emergency alert system
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Can support safer time alone and reduce some supervision needs when authorized.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with qualifying need.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Not a replacement for necessary hands-on care.
ALTCS companion care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Authorized companion services may support supervision and community living for qualifying members.
Who qualifies: ALTCS members with approved need.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager.
Good to know: Scope and authorization are defined by AHCCCS policy/care plan.
ALTCS Agency With Choice
Direct payerHelps pay for: Member and provider agency share employer responsibilities, giving the member more control over choosing and managing the caregiver.
Who qualifies: Most ALTCS members living in their own home who select the option.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager about Agency With Choice.
Good to know: It is a service-delivery model, not an extra bucket of hours.
ALTCS Self-Directed Attendant Care (SDAC)
Direct payerHelps pay for: Allows eligible members more employer authority over attendants providing approved direct-care services.
Who qualifies: Most ALTCS members living in their own home who meet program rules.
How to start: Ask ALTCS case manager about SDAC.
Good to know: Not available in nursing facilities or alternative residential settings; authorized services/hours still control.
Family member as paid ALTCS caregiver
Direct payerHelps pay for: A relative may potentially be paid when the ALTCS member has authorized services and the caregiver becomes qualified/employed through an AHCCCS/ALTCS-contracted arrangement.
Who qualifies: ALTCS member plus family caregiver who meets screening/training/employment requirements.
How to start: Contact ALTCS/case manager; DES lists 602-417-6600 for guidance.
Good to know: DES itself does not directly pay relatives; the care recipient generally must already be eligible for ALTCS services.
Tribal ALTCS
Direct payerHelps pay for: Provides culturally appropriate long-term services and supports, including attendant care, personal care, homemaker, home health, meals, respite and modifications for eligible Tribal members.
Who qualifies: Eligible American Indians meeting Tribal ALTCS medical/financial rules and residence/history requirements.
How to start: Contact Tribal ALTCS/AHCCCS.
Good to know: AHCCCS partners with Tribes and an Urban Indian organization; prior authorization is coordinated by Tribal ALTCS case management.
Arizona Aging Services
DES Home and Community Based Services through Area Agencies on Aging
Direct payer (subsidized)Helps pay for: State/Older Americans Act-supported services can include home health aide, housekeeping, personal care, respite, adult day care, meals, transportation and visiting nurse services.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+ or adults 18-60 with disability who are functionally impaired; local prioritization/funding rules apply.
How to start: Contact the AAA serving the county.
Good to know: Services are delivered through Arizona AAAs and may have waiting lists, cost sharing or donations.
AAA personal care / home health aide / housekeeping
Direct payer (subsidized)Helps pay for: May reduce or replace privately purchased hours for qualifying older adults.
Who qualifies: Local AAA eligibility and priority rules.
How to start: Use Arizona DES AAA county directory.
Good to know: Availability and intensity vary by county and funding.
AAA home-delivered meals and senior nutrition
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Meal programs reduce food costs and caregiver time spent shopping/cooking.
Who qualifies: Older adults meeting local program criteria.
How to start: Contact local AAA.
Good to know: Not direct caregiver wages.
AAA transportation
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Transportation services can reduce paid caregiver driving/escort hours.
Who qualifies: Older adults or adults with disabilities meeting local rules.
How to start: Contact local AAA.
Good to know: Availability varies geographically.
Arizona Caregiver Support
National Family Caregiver Support Program through Arizona AAAs
Direct payer (respite/supplemental)Helps pay for: Provides caregiver information, counseling/training, respite and limited supplemental services.
Who qualifies: Eligible family caregivers under program rules; respite is targeted to caregivers at moderate/high assessed risk.
How to start: Call Arizona Caregiver Resource Line or local AAA.
Good to know: Not a general caregiver wage program.
Arizona Lifespan Respite Voucher Program
Direct payer (reimbursement)Helps pay for: Caregiver arranges respite, pays the provider, then submits documentation for reimbursement under the program.
Who qualifies: Caregivers meeting program rules; care recipient needs constant care and must not already receive other federally/state/insurance-funded respite.
How to start: Call Arizona Caregiver Resource Line.
Good to know: Provider can be a friend, neighbor or professional and may be some relatives, but exclusions apply; verify current rules before hiring.
Adult Day Health Center Respite Program
Direct payerHelps pay for: Arizona Caregiver Coalition can pay an adult day health center for respite, currently described by DES as up to 96 hours.
Who qualifies: Caregivers meeting Lifespan Respite program criteria.
How to start: Call Arizona Caregiver Resource Line.
Good to know: No out-of-pocket expense for approved adult-day respite under the described program.
Arizona Veterans Cost Offset
Disabled-veteran property-tax exemption
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Qualifying disabled veterans may receive partial or full Arizona property-tax exemption, reducing housing costs.
Who qualifies: Honorably discharged Arizona veterans meeting disability, ownership and other statutory requirements.
How to start: Apply through county assessor during the application window.
Good to know: 2026 changes include full primary-residence exemption for qualifying 100% service-connected veterans; county assessor administers.
Arizona Veterans
Arizona Veteran Benefits Counselors
Benefit navigationHelps pay for: Free accredited counselors help veterans/dependents/survivors apply for VA pension, Aid & Attendance, compensation and other benefits that may fund or support home care.
Who qualifies: Arizona veterans, dependents and survivors.
How to start: Schedule with Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
Good to know: Counseling itself is free and can reduce application errors.
Military Family Relief Fund
SometimesHelps pay for: May provide financial assistance for qualifying unforeseen financial hardship connected to military service, potentially preserving other funds for care.
Who qualifies: Eligible active duty members, veterans and families under program rules.
How to start: Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
Good to know: Not a dedicated home-care benefit; use only if hardship and eligibility requirements are met.
VA
VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care
Direct payerHelps pay for: VA may arrange trained aides to help eligible veterans with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, mobility and other approved activities.
Who qualifies: Enrolled/eligible veterans with assessed clinical need and local availability.
How to start: Ask VA primary care team or social worker.
Good to know: Hours are authorized by VA; copayment may apply depending on status.
VA Skilled Home Health Care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Can provide skilled nursing, therapy, wound care and other clinical home services for eligible veterans.
Who qualifies: Veterans with qualifying skilled needs and VA authorization.
How to start: Ask VA care team/social worker.
Good to know: Can sometimes be combined with other VA home/community services.
Veteran-Directed Care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Eligible veterans receive a flexible service budget and can help hire/manage workers for personal care; family/friends may be eligible workers depending on local program rules.
Who qualifies: Veterans who need help with daily activities and are served by participating VA/community programs.
How to start: Ask VA social worker specifically about Veteran-Directed Care.
Good to know: Availability varies by VA medical center/community.
VA respite care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Provides temporary caregiver relief in the home, adult day setting or short institutional stay for eligible veterans.
Who qualifies: Veterans whose caregivers need relief and who meet VA clinical/service criteria.
How to start: Ask VA care team/caregiver support coordinator.
Good to know: Copay and availability can vary.
VA Aid and Attendance pension increase
Direct payer (cash income)Helps pay for: Adds monthly pension income for eligible veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other qualifying criteria; income can be used toward home care.
Who qualifies: People who first qualify for VA pension and then meet Aid & Attendance criteria.
How to start: Use an accredited VSO/VBC or VA.
Good to know: Not a reimbursement-only home-care benefit; eligibility includes pension rules.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct payer (stipend)Helps pay for: May provide an eligible primary family caregiver a monthly stipend plus training, counseling, possible health coverage and respite support.
Who qualifies: Veteran/caregiver dyads meeting VA disability and personal-care eligibility requirements.
How to start: Contact local VA Caregiver Support Team.
Good to know: Requires joint application and VA assessment.
VA Community Care Network (CCN) - Arizona Region 4 / TriWest
Direct payer (authorized care)Helps pay for: VA can purchase authorized community care, including certain home health and extended-care services, from approved network providers when community-care rules are met.
Who qualifies: Eligible veterans with VA referral/authorization.
How to start: Start with VA primary care/referral coordination.
Good to know: Arizona is in CCN Region 4, administered by TriWest. Do not hire a provider and assume reimbursement without VA authorization.
VA Home-Based Primary Care
Direct payer (medical care)Helps pay for: Interdisciplinary VA clinical care in the home can reduce travel and support veterans with complex chronic conditions.
Who qualifies: Eligible veterans with complex medical needs who meet local program criteria.
How to start: Ask VA primary care/social work.
Good to know: Not a replacement for all personal-care hours.
VA Adult Day Health Care
Direct payerHelps pay for: Daytime health/supervision can reduce paid in-home hours and provide respite for caregivers.
Who qualifies: Eligible veterans based on clinical need and local availability.
How to start: Ask VA social worker.
Good to know: May be provided through VA or community programs.
VA disability housing grants / home adaptations
Cost offsetHelps pay for: Eligible veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities may receive housing adaptation assistance that can reduce hands-on care needs and improve safety.
Who qualifies: Veterans meeting disability and housing-grant criteria.
How to start: Apply through VA disability housing grants.
Good to know: Grant type and amount depend on disability and housing circumstances.
Phoenix VA Caregiver Support Team
Benefit navigationHelps pay for: Connects central Arizona caregivers with VA in-home help, respite, PCAFC and other support.
Who qualifies: Caregivers of veterans served by Phoenix VA.
How to start: Phoenix VA Health Care System.
Good to know: Use this as a local entry point rather than trying to identify the correct VA program alone.
Southern Arizona VA Caregiver Support Team
Benefit navigationHelps pay for: Connects southern Arizona caregivers with VA programs, caregiver support and respite.
Who qualifies: Caregivers of veterans served by Southern Arizona VA.
How to start: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System.
Good to know: Local coordinator can screen for multiple VA options.
Where Arizona Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Apply/screen for Medicaid long-term care and in-home services.
ALTCS / AHCCCS long-term care
Family caregiver support, Lifespan Respite and adult-day respite.
Arizona Caregiver Resource Line
County-based aging services, personal care, respite, meals and transportation access.
Arizona Area Agencies on Aging
Free accredited help with VA pension, Aid & Attendance and other claims.
Arizona Veteran Benefits Counselors
National VA caregiver support and connection to local team.
VA Caregiver Support Line
Central Arizona VA caregiver/in-home services navigation.
Phoenix VA Caregiver Support
Southern Arizona VA caregiver/in-home services navigation.
Southern Arizona VA Caregiver Support
Property tax credit and state tax questions.
Arizona Department of Revenue
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Start with ALTCS screening
If the person may need nursing-facility level of care and has limited income/assets, screen for ALTCS early. Arizona can deliver substantial LTSS in the home rather than requiring nursing-home residence.
Ask specifically about member direction
For an ALTCS member living at home, ask the case manager about Agency With Choice and Self-Directed Attendant Care. These change who controls the caregiver relationship but do not create extra authorized hours.
Paid family caregiver rules are not the same as DES caregiver support
DES Family Caregiver Support does not generally pay a relative a wage. Paid family caregiving is more likely through an ALTCS-authorized arrangement with required screening/training/employment steps.
Use respite programs before caregiver burnout
Arizona Lifespan Respite and adult-day respite may help when a family does not already receive respite paid by federal, state or insurance sources. Verify eligibility before hiring a provider.
Medicare is not long-term custodial care
Use Medicare for qualifying skilled home health, GUIDE dementia support/respite, hospice, DME and caregiver training. Do not budget on Medicare paying ongoing bathing, meal prep or companionship when those are the only needs.
VA authorization matters
Arizona is VA Community Care Network Region 4 / TriWest. Routine community care generally needs VA referral/authorization before services occur.
Stack cost offsets
Medicare Savings, SNAP/ESAP, tax relief, meals and transportation do not pay caregiver wages directly, but they can free meaningful monthly cash for care.
Family Caregiver Reimbursement Program is closed
Arizona DES currently states that the Family Caregiver Reimbursement Program is no longer taking applications. Do not present it as an active funding source.
PACE not included as an Arizona-specific active option
PACE is a federal Medicare/Medicaid model available only where a contracted PACE organization operates. This workbook does not list PACE as an Arizona payment pathway because an active Arizona PACE organization was not verified from official state/CMS sources during this review.
Care cost context
CareScout reported a 2025 Arizona median annual cost of $86,944 for non-medical in-home caregiving. Actual agency/private-care rates vary by geography, schedule, minimum shifts and care complexity.
Medicaid planning needs legal care
Do not transfer assets or create trusts solely to qualify for ALTCS without state-specific elder-law advice. Partnership policy, transfer and estate-recovery rules can materially affect the plan.
Reverify before publication/referral
Program funding, phone numbers, eligibility thresholds and plan benefits change. Recheck the linked primary source before advising a family or publishing a dollar amount.
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 Arizona to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Arizona
These providers serve families in Arizona and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
Caring Heart Placement
Serving Arizona
Let’s put the heart back into senior care Finding the right care can be emotional, stressful, and overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone. I’m Sue Mulligan, founder of Caring Heart Placement. I help families in the Greater Scottsdale area find the right senior living solution with compassion and expertise at no cost. From research and negotiations to scheduling tours, I handle the details so you can focus on your loved one.
Services Available
Assisted Living Placement • Independent Living Placement • Memory Care Placement • In-Home Care Placement • Senior Group Home Placement
Communities Served
Anthem, Avondale, Buckeye and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Home Care Resources
Serving Arizona
Home Care Resources provides home care services in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Legacy Home Care
Serving Arizona
Legacy Home Care provides home care services in Mesa, AZ and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Nurse at Home LLC
Serving Arizona
Nurse at Home LLC provides home care services in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale and surrounding areas
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