How to Pay for Home Care in California

Private pay from income, savings, investments, pensions, Social Security, or family contributions

Best fit: Families who need flexible, immediate care hours without waiting for public-program approval.

Helps pay for: Non-medical home care from an agency; directly hired caregivers; companion care; personal care; dementia supervision; respite; transportation; homemaker help.

Who qualifies: Anyone with available personal funds. Family members may contribute informally or through a written care agreement.

How to start: Compare several licensed California Home Care Organizations or direct-hire arrangements; create a written care plan and budget.

Good to know: CareScout reported California median annual non-medical home care at $91,520 in 2025 based on 44 hours/week. Agency rates and minimum shifts vary widely by county and acuity.

Directly hired caregiver with household-employer payroll compliance

Best fit: Families who want to hire a caregiver directly rather than through an agency.

Helps pay for: Wages for a private caregiver, home health aide, driver, companion, or household worker.

Who qualifies: Available to families able to manage hiring, supervision, payroll, backup coverage, workers compensation/liability considerations, and tax reporting.

How to start: Use a written employment agreement; evaluate whether the worker is a household employee; consult payroll/tax advice.

Good to know: A caregiver may be a household employee if the family controls what work is done and how it is done. Payroll taxes, wage rules, and state law may apply.

Traditional long-term care insurance

Best fit: People who bought a policy before needing substantial care.

Helps pay for: Depending on the policy: home care, adult day care, assisted living, respite, care coordination, nursing facility care.

Who qualifies: Must meet the policy benefit trigger, elimination period, provider requirements, and documentation rules.

How to start: Request the complete policy, benefit summary, and claim packet from the insurer; use HICAP for counseling if needed.

Good to know: Policies vary dramatically. Verify whether home care is covered, whether agency care is required, and whether family caregivers can be paid.

California Partnership for Long-Term Care policy

Best fit: Californians who already own a Partnership policy or are planning long-term-care financing.

Helps pay for: Comprehensive policies may cover care at home, in the community, and in facilities; Partnership policies add Medi-Cal asset-protection features when benefits are exhausted.

Who qualifies: Only Partnership-approved policies qualify; policy owner must meet the contract’s benefit trigger.

How to start: Review existing policy; use DHCS Partnership information and HICAP/qualified insurance counseling.

Good to know: DHCS says no Partnership-approved insurers are currently selling new Partnership policies on the RUReadyCA planning page; existing policies may still be valuable.

Hybrid life/LTC policy, chronic illness rider, accelerated death benefit, life settlement, or viatical settlement

Best fit: Policyholders who own life insurance and need to unlock value for care.

Helps pay for: Policy benefits or proceeds may be used for in-home care, respite, adult day care, or other long-term services depending on the policy/transaction.

Who qualifies: Depends on policy terms, age, health status, death benefit, ownership, and settlement market.

How to start: Request an in-force illustration; ask the insurer about LTC/chronic illness riders or accelerated benefits; obtain tax/legal advice before selling a policy.

Good to know: Using policy value may reduce or eliminate death benefits and may affect taxes, Medicaid eligibility, and estate planning.

Reverse mortgage / Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

Best fit: Homeowners age 62+ with substantial home equity who want to remain in the home.

Helps pay for: Loan proceeds can be used for private home care, modifications, respite, transportation, or other household needs.

Who qualifies: Homeowner must meet age, equity, occupancy, tax/insurance, and property-maintenance requirements.

How to start: Compare lenders and complete HUD-approved counseling before signing. Review effect on spouse/heirs and Medi-Cal planning.

Good to know: This is a loan, not a grant. Loan balance grows over time; VA does not offer reverse mortgages.

HELOC, home-equity loan, sale of home, downsizing, or renting part of the home

Best fit: Homeowners who need to convert home equity or reduce housing costs to fund care.

Helps pay for: Private home care, home modifications, respite, agency deposits, or a move to safer housing.

Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on credit, equity, income, housing market, lender rules, and family goals.

How to start: Compare financing and housing options with a financial adviser or HUD-approved housing counselor.

Good to know: Borrowing against the home may affect future eligibility, estate plans, and ability to remain housed if care needs increase.

SSI/SSP, Social Security, pensions, and retirement income

Best fit: Low-income or fixed-income older adults and people with disabilities who need monthly income to apply toward care.

Helps pay for: Cash income may be used for care expenses, share of cost, household needs, or private-pay hours.

Who qualifies: SSI/SSP is for people who meet federal SSI criteria and California state supplement rules; Social Security and pensions depend on work/benefit history.

How to start: Apply through Social Security for SSI/SSP; review whether income affects Medi-Cal share of cost or other benefits.

Good to know: These are income sources, not dedicated home-care benefits. Benefit interaction with Medi-Cal and taxes should be reviewed.

Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

Best fit: California residents who are aged, blind, or disabled non-citizens ineligible for SSI/SSP solely due to immigration status.

Helps pay for: Monthly cash benefits can help with rent, food, care-related expenses, or private home care.

Who qualifies: Must meet CAPI immigration, income, resource, age/disability, and California residency criteria.

How to start: Apply through the county social services agency using the CAPI application.

Good to know: Not a direct caregiver benefit; amount and eligibility depend on county determination and state rules.

CalABLE account

Best fit: People with qualifying disabilities that began before the ABLE age-of-onset limit and who need a tax-advantaged way to pay disability-related expenses.

Helps pay for: Qualified disability expenses can include personal support services, health, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and other disability-related expenses.

Who qualifies: Beneficiary must meet CalABLE/ABLE eligibility criteria. Contributions are subject to annual and account limits.

How to start: Open or use an existing CalABLE account; confirm the expense qualifies before paying.

Good to know: Usually most relevant to people with disabilities, not all older adults. Keep records showing expenses maintain or improve health, independence, or quality of life.

HSA, health FSA, HRA, medical-expense deduction, and federal child/dependent-care credit

Best fit: Families with tax-advantaged accounts or deductible/reimbursable medical or care expenses.

Helps pay for: Some qualified long-term care services, nursing-type services, caregiver training, medical supplies, or care expenses may qualify depending on facts.

Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on IRS rules, medical necessity, plan terms, work-related care rules, and whether costs were reimbursed elsewhere.

How to start: Keep care plans, certifications, invoices, and proof of payment; consult a tax professional.

Good to know: Ordinary companionship and housekeeping are not automatically medical expenses. Do not double-count HSA reimbursements and itemized deductions.

California Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit

Best fit: Working California taxpayers paying for care so they can work or look for work.

Helps pay for: A state tax credit may be available for qualifying care for a spouse/RDP or dependent who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care.

Who qualifies: Must meet FTB rules, federal AGI limit, California care-location requirement, earned-income requirement, and provider restrictions.

How to start: Claim on California tax return with Form FTB 3506 if eligible.

Good to know: This lowers taxes; it does not pay a caregiver upfront. Verify the care recipient and provider rules.

California Paid Family Leave (PFL) caregiver benefits

Best fit: Working family caregivers who need time off to care for a seriously ill family member.

Helps pay for: Partial wage replacement for up to 8 weeks in a 12-month period; can help a family caregiver provide care directly or coordinate care.

Who qualifies: Must have lost wages, paid into State Disability Insurance, and submit medical certification and other required documents.

How to start: Apply through EDD online or by mail.

Good to know: PFL provides benefit payments but not job protection. It does not pay a home care agency directly.

Original Medicare home health benefit

Best fit: Short-term or intermittent skilled needs after illness, injury, hospitalization, or functional decline.

Helps pay for: Part-time/intermittent skilled nursing, therapy, medical social services, certain supplies, and aide services only when qualifying skilled care is also needed.

Who qualifies: Must be homebound, need skilled intermittent services, have a provider order/face-to-face assessment, and use a Medicare-certified home health agency.

How to start: Ask physician/hospital discharge planner for a Medicare-certified home health referral.

Good to know: Medicare does not cover 24-hour care, meal delivery, routine homemaker services, or personal/custodial care when that is the only care needed.

Medicare Advantage plan home health and supplemental benefits

Best fit: People enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans whose plan offers home support or extra benefits.

Helps pay for: Plan-covered Medicare home health; some plans may offer supplemental benefits such as in-home support, meals, transportation, bathroom safety devices, or caregiver support.

Who qualifies: Eligibility, prior authorization, networks, supplemental benefits, and service limits vary by plan and county.

How to start: Call the plan member-services number; review Evidence of Coverage; use HICAP for plan counseling.

Good to know: Do not assume ads about home support mean ongoing personal care is covered. Request written benefit confirmation.

Medicare GUIDE dementia-care model

Best fit: Original Medicare beneficiaries living with dementia and supported by an unpaid caregiver.

Helps pay for: Care navigation, 24/7 support line, caregiver education, support, community-resource connections, and respite up to an annual cap for qualifying patients.

Who qualifies: Generally requires dementia confirmation, Original Medicare Parts A and B as primary payer, not enrolled in Medicare Advantage or PACE, and alignment with a participating GUIDE organization.

How to start: Search CMS GUIDE participants by service area or call 1-800-MEDICARE; contact a participating organization serving the ZIP code.

Good to know: GUIDE is not a cash benefit. Respite is arranged through participating organizations and is limited; availability depends on participant service areas.

Medicare caregiver training services

Best fit: Family or unpaid caregivers who need training to help a Medicare patient follow a treatment plan.

Helps pay for: Training on medication assistance, safe transfers, wound prevention/care, daily tasks, communication, and condition management when a provider determines it is needed.

Who qualifies: Caregiver training must support the Medicare patient’s treatment goals and be furnished by a Medicare provider.

How to start: Ask the patient’s physician, therapist, nurse practitioner, or other Medicare provider whether caregiver training is appropriate.

Good to know: Does not pay caregiver wages or agency hours, but can improve safety and reduce avoidable care needs.

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

Best fit: Low-income older adults and people with disabilities who need non-medical help to remain safely at home.

Helps pay for: Housework, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care, accompaniment to medical appointments, paramedical services, and protective supervision when authorized.

Who qualifies: California resident; Medi-Cal eligibility determination; lives in own home/abode of choice; needs IHSS services; completed health-care certification.

How to start: Apply through the county IHSS office/county social services agency. County social worker assesses hours at home.

Good to know: IHSS is one of California’s main ways to pay for non-medical home care. County authorization controls hours and tasks; share of cost may apply for some Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Medi-Cal home health agency services

Best fit: Medi-Cal members who need medically necessary home health services.

Helps pay for: Skilled nursing, home health aide services, therapy, medical social services, supplies, and related medically necessary services under a treatment plan.

Who qualifies: Full-scope Medi-Cal and medical necessity; may require provider order, treatment plan, authorization, and managed-care plan approval.

How to start: Ask the Medi-Cal managed care plan, treating provider, or county/fee-for-service Medi-Cal representative about home health authorization.

Good to know: This is medical home health, not ongoing custodial home care. It may coordinate with Medicare for dual-eligible beneficiaries.

Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver

Best fit: People at risk of nursing home, hospital, or institutional placement who need intensive supports at home.

Helps pay for: Care management, waiver services, coordination of Medi-Cal state-plan services, home/community supports, and services to maintain community residence.

Who qualifies: Requires full-scope Medi-Cal and institutional/nursing facility level-of-care criteria; application through assigned HCBA Waiver Agency; waitlist may apply.

How to start: Contact the HCBA Waiver Agency serving the county/ZIP code or DHCS HCBA unit.

Good to know: DHCS notes the HCBA waiver reached maximum capacity and has had a waitlist since July 12, 2023. Apply early and verify current status.

Waiver Personal Care Services (WPCS)

Best fit: HCBA Waiver members who need additional personal care beyond IHSS to remain safely at home.

Helps pay for: Assistance with activities of daily living and other HCBA-described personal care services; WPCS providers must complete IHSS provider enrollment.

Who qualifies: Must first be enrolled in HCBA Waiver; WPCS hours are evaluated and authorized through the assigned waiver agency/medical necessity process.

How to start: Contact assigned HCBA Waiver Agency or WPCS Hotline.

Good to know: Cannot duplicate care from other sources and generally cannot exceed 24 hours/day of direct care/protective supervision across funding sources.

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

Best fit: Frail older adults who are Medi-Cal eligible and at risk of nursing facility placement but want to remain in the community.

Helps pay for: Care management plus some purchased services such as supplemental in-home chore/personal care, protective supervision, respite, transportation, meals, communication, counseling, and minor home repair.

Who qualifies: CDA page: 60+ and Medi-Cal eligible under qualifying aid code and certified/certifiable for skilled nursing facility placement; some DHCS materials reference older waiver criteria. Verify site-specific eligibility.

How to start: Find an MSSP provider through CDA Find Services in My County or local AAA.

Good to know: Often supplements IHSS rather than replacing it. Availability depends on MSSP site service area and program capacity.

CalAIM Community Supports: Personal Care and Homemaker Services

Best fit: Medi-Cal managed-care members with complex health/social needs, often while awaiting IHSS or after facility/hospital transition.

Helps pay for: Help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, cooking, meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping when offered by the plan.

Who qualifies: Must be eligible under the Medi-Cal managed-care plan’s Community Supports criteria; services offered vary by plan and county.

How to start: Ask the Medi-Cal managed-care plan, ECM provider, primary care provider, discharge planner, or care coordinator for referral/authorization.

Good to know: Community Supports are optional plan services and cannot duplicate IHSS or other funded services. Check county/plan availability.

CalAIM Community Supports: Respite Services

Best fit: Caregivers supporting Medi-Cal members who need temporary supervision or care to prevent institutional placement.

Helps pay for: Short-term in-home or out-of-home respite when offered by the managed care plan and authorized.

Who qualifies: Eligibility and service limits vary by plan; generally for members needing ADL support from a caregiver who needs relief.

How to start: Request through Medi-Cal managed-care plan, ECM provider, primary care provider, or discharge/care coordinator.

Good to know: Plan-specific limits apply; many plans use prior authorization and annual hour caps.

CalAIM Community Supports: Environmental Accessibility Adaptations / Home Modifications and PERS

Best fit: Medi-Cal managed-care members whose home must be modified to remain safe and avoid higher-cost care.

Helps pay for: Ramps, grab bars, doorway widening, stair lifts, bathroom modifications, and similar home changes; sometimes personal emergency response systems depending on plan policy.

Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on plan availability, medical necessity, evaluation, and authorization.

How to start: Request through Medi-Cal plan, care coordinator, or ECM provider.

Good to know: Home modifications do not pay a caregiver directly, but can reduce hours needed and support safe aging in place.

CalAIM Community Supports: Medically Tailored Meals / Medically Supportive Food

Best fit: Medi-Cal members whose nutrition-sensitive health condition or post-discharge needs can be supported through meal services.

Helps pay for: Medically tailored meals or supportive food; may reduce need for paid meal preparation and support disease management.

Who qualifies: Eligibility and meal limits depend on Medi-Cal plan and county availability.

How to start: Ask Medi-Cal plan or care coordinator for Community Supports referral.

Good to know: Meal support is not a substitute for ADL personal care, but can reduce private-pay caregiver tasks.

Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) / Adult Day Health Care

Best fit: Older adults or adults with disabilities who need structured day services, health monitoring, personal care, meals, therapies, and transportation.

Helps pay for: Assessment, professional nursing, therapies, mental health services, therapeutic activities, social services, personal care, meals, nutrition counseling, and transportation to/from the CBAS center.

Who qualifies: Available to eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries; generally determined by Medi-Cal managed-care plan or applicable Medi-Cal office.

How to start: Ask Medi-Cal managed-care plan, physician, social worker, or local CBAS center about eligibility/referral.

Good to know: Not in-home care, but can replace several daytime care hours and provide respite/monitoring.

California Community Transitions (CCT) / Money Follows the Person

Best fit: Medi-Cal beneficiaries transitioning from institutional care back to home or community settings.

Helps pay for: Transition coordination and services; CCT coordinator monitors participant for 365 days after transition; participants receive LTSS in their individual service plans.

Who qualifies: Medi-Cal beneficiaries in qualifying institutional settings who meet CCT/MFP or state-funded CCT-like criteria.

How to start: Contact CCT lead organization, facility discharge planner, or DHCS Integrated Systems of Care Division.

Good to know: Primarily a transition/bridge support, not an ongoing home-care payment source. DHCS indicates CCT transition services are currently available through 2027.

Medi-Cal Waiver Program (MCWP) for people living with HIV

Best fit: People living with HIV who need home/community services as an alternative to nursing facility care or hospitalization.

Helps pay for: Case management, attendant care, homemaker services, home-delivered meals, minor home adaptations, transportation, psychotherapy, skilled nursing, equipment, supplies, and nutrition supports.

Who qualifies: Written HIV/AIDS diagnosis, full-scope Medi-Cal, home care appropriate, and certified Nursing Facility Level of Care.

How to start: Contact an MCWP provider listed by California Department of Public Health / Office of AIDS.

Good to know: Specialized program for people living with HIV; not a general senior home-care program.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Best fit: Adults 55+ needing nursing-home level of care who can live safely in the community with PACE support.

Helps pay for: All needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services coordinated by PACE, including home care, adult day services, transportation, medications, therapies, and medical care.

Who qualifies: Age 55+; live in a PACE service area; nursing-home level of care determination; able to live safely in community at enrollment.

How to start: Contact local PACE organization or DHCS PACE information page.

Good to know: Enrollment changes how Medicare/Medi-Cal services are delivered. DHCS announced a PACE application pause for new/expanding organizations effective November 20, 2025, but existing PACE organizations continue operating.

Regional Center services / HCBS-DD for developmental disabilities

Best fit: Older adults and adults with lifelong developmental disabilities served by California regional centers.

Helps pay for: Depending on Individual Program Plan: respite, homemaker services, personal supports, transportation, home modifications, assistive technology, and other supports.

Who qualifies: Must meet California developmental disability eligibility and be served by a regional center. Services depend on assessed need and IPP.

How to start: Contact the regional center serving the county/address or Department of Developmental Services.

Good to know: Most relevant to people with qualifying developmental disabilities, not the general older-adult population.

California Area Agencies on Aging: Home & Community Services

Best fit: Adults 60+ and caregivers needing local help before or alongside private care.

Helps pay for: Services vary by area and may include caregiver assistance, help at home, adult day care, respite, transportation, legal assistance, telephone support, care management, and information/assistance.

Who qualifies: CDA states Home & Community Services serve persons age 60+ regardless of income; services vary by county/AAA funding and waitlists.

How to start: Call 800-510-2020 or use CDA Find Services in My County to reach the local AAA.

Good to know: Local AAAs rarely fund unlimited home care, but services can reduce out-of-pocket caregiver hours.

Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) through Area Agencies on Aging

Best fit: Unpaid family caregivers of older adults or people with Alzheimer’s/related disorders.

Helps pay for: Information, referrals, training, counseling, support groups, respite care, supplemental services, assistive devices, home adaptations, caregiver registry, and limited emergency aid.

Who qualifies: Caregiver eligibility varies; CDA FCSP materials include caregivers age 18+ for older care receivers age 60+ or Alzheimer’s/related disorder, and older relative caregivers age 55+.

How to start: Call 800-510-2020 to reach local AAA caregiver program.

Good to know: Respite and supplemental help are usually limited and subject to local availability.

California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs)

Best fit: Family caregivers of adults with cognitive impairment, chronic disabling conditions, stroke, Parkinson’s, ALS, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions.

Helps pay for: Assessment, care planning, counseling, education, support groups, legal/financial consultation, and respite at low or no cost depending on CRC and funding.

Who qualifies: Caregiver/care receiver eligibility depends on CRC and program rules. California has 11 CRCs covering the state.

How to start: Use caregivercalifornia.org to connect to local CRC or CareNav.

Good to know: CRCs help caregivers navigate care and may provide respite, but they are not a full long-term home-care payer.

VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care

Best fit: Eligible veterans who need help with activities of daily living and support to remain at home.

Helps pay for: A trained aide may help with eating, dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, mobility, grocery shopping, and other approved support.

Who qualifies: Generally enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria; availability and copays may vary.

How to start: Ask the veteran’s VA primary care team, geriatric team, or VA social worker for assessment/referral.

Good to know: Not a cash benefit; VA authorizes services based on assessed need and service availability.

VA Skilled Home Health Care

Best fit: Veterans who need skilled nursing or therapy at home after illness, injury, hospitalization, or ongoing skilled need.

Helps pay for: Skilled nursing, case management, therapy, wound care, IV antibiotics, and related medical home-health services.

Who qualifies: Enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria; copay may depend on service-connected disability status and financial information.

How to start: Ask VA primary care team, VA social worker, or discharge planner.

Good to know: This is medical/skilled care, not unlimited companion or personal care.

Veteran-Directed Care

Best fit: Veterans who need personal care services and want more control over who provides help.

Helps pay for: Veteran-managed budget can be used to hire workers, potentially including family members or neighbors, to help with bathing, dressing, meals, toileting, grooming, mobility, grocery shopping, and other daily needs.

Who qualifies: Enrolled veterans eligible for community care who meet clinical criteria; service must be available in the location.

How to start: Talk to VA social worker; ask whether Veteran-Directed Care is available through the VA medical center serving the area.

Good to know: Availability varies by VA location. It is separate from Aid & Attendance and from CCN authorization.

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound pension increase

Best fit: Wartime veterans or survivors who qualify for VA pension and need help with daily activities, are housebound, bedridden, in a nursing home, or meet visual-impairment criteria.

Helps pay for: Additional monthly pension income can be used toward home care, assisted living, family caregiver support, or other needs.

Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension, then meet Aid and Attendance or Housebound criteria.

How to start: Apply online, by mail, or in person; use accredited representative/CVSO for help.

Good to know: A&A and Housebound cannot both be received at the same time. Be cautious of paid benefit schemes; County Veterans Service Officers do not charge to help.

VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

Best fit: Family caregivers of eligible veterans with serious service-connected disability/illness and need for personal care services.

Helps pay for: Primary caregiver may receive monthly stipend, CHAMPVA if otherwise uninsured, mental health counseling, travel benefits, and at least 30 days of respite per year; caregiver training and other supports are available.

Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must apply together and meet PCAFC eligibility, including VA service-connected disability requirements and personal-care need criteria.

How to start: Apply through VA caregiver program online, by mail, or through local VA Caregiver Support Team.

Good to know: Not all veterans qualify. Stipend is paid to the caregiver, not a home care agency.

VA Community Care Network (CCN)

Best fit: Veterans who need VA-authorized care from community providers when VA cannot provide care directly, timely, nearby, or when clinically appropriate.

Helps pay for: Can include authorized home health, hospice, skilled services, adult day care, and other services included in VA referral/authorization.

Who qualifies: Veteran must generally be enrolled/eligible for VA health care and receive VA approval/referral before routine community care.

How to start: Start with VA primary care, social worker, referral coordination team, or care team. Do not self-hire and expect reimbursement without authorization.

Good to know: California is in VA CCN Region 4, managed by TriWest. Prior VA authorization is essential except for qualifying urgent/emergency scenarios.

VA Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care, and Home-Based Primary Care

Best fit: Veterans whose family caregivers need breaks or whose health conditions make clinic-based care difficult.

Helps pay for: Home respite aide, adult day health care, short nursing-home respite, team-based in-home primary care, and care-coordination supports.

Who qualifies: Enrolled veterans who meet clinical criteria; community-based services may require community care eligibility and copays may apply.

How to start: Ask VA social worker/case manager; contact local VA Caregiver Support Coordinator.

Good to know: VA states nursing-home respite may be available up to 30 days per calendar year. Services vary by location.

CalVet and County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs)

Best fit: California veterans and survivors who need help identifying and applying for VA benefits that may pay for care.

Helps pay for: No-cost claims assistance and navigation for VA pension, Aid & Attendance, disability compensation, health-care enrollment, survivors benefits, and other programs.

Who qualifies: Veterans, dependents, and survivors; service scope varies by county.

How to start: Call CalVet or local CVSO; ask for help with Aid & Attendance, VA health care enrollment, and long-term-care benefits screening.

Good to know: Navigation only, not a payment program. CVSOs are often the best starting point for VA pension and benefits paperwork.

Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private-insurance hospice benefit

Best fit: People with terminal illness who elect hospice and meet medical eligibility.

Helps pay for: Nursing, hospice aide/homemaker services, DME, supplies, symptom medications, social work, counseling, short inpatient respite, and crisis-level continuous home care when criteria are met.

Who qualifies: Must meet hospice eligibility and elect hospice benefit; payer rules vary by Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurance.

How to start: Ask treating physician for hospice evaluation; compare hospice agencies and service frequency.

Good to know: Hospice does not provide unlimited 24-hour custodial care at home; continuous care is for short medical crises.

Workers compensation, auto insurance, liability settlement, or court-ordered damages

Best fit: Care needs caused by a workplace injury, auto accident, personal injury, or medical malpractice.

Helps pay for: May fund attendant care, home health, home modifications, transportation, medical equipment, or cash damages depending on claim/settlement.

Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on causal link, policy/legal coverage, medical necessity, and claim approval or settlement terms.

How to start: Consult workers compensation claims administrator, attorney, insurer, or case manager.

Good to know: Highly fact-specific. Preserve records and get legal advice before settling future care claims.

California Property Tax Postponement Program

Best fit: Older, blind, or disabled homeowners with limited income who need to reduce annual property-tax pressure.

Helps pay for: Defers current-year property taxes on a principal residence, freeing cash flow that may be used toward care expenses.

Who qualifies: Seniors, blind homeowners, or homeowners with disabilities who meet equity, income, residence, and other requirements.

How to start: Apply annually through the State Controller during the filing period.

Good to know: This is a lien-secured deferral that must eventually be repaid; it does not directly purchase caregiver hours.

Local nonprofits, disease-specific charities, faith communities, grants, volunteer respite, and 211 referrals

Best fit: Families needing one-time help, respite, meals, transportation, equipment, or local support while formal benefits are pending.

Helps pay for: May include respite vouchers, volunteer companions, transportation, food delivery, grants for equipment, dementia/cancer/ALS/Parkinson’s support, or emergency aid.

Who qualifies: Eligibility and funding vary by county, diagnosis, income, age, and organization.

How to start: Call 2-1-1, AAA at 800-510-2020, ADRC, local disease associations, faith community, or hospital social worker.

Good to know: Usually limited and not guaranteed, but useful for filling gaps, especially while IHSS, Medi-Cal, VA, or insurance claims are pending.