How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Colorado
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Colorado-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. Colorado's strongest state-specific pathways include Community First Choice with CDASS/IHSS self-direction, the Elderly, Blind, and Disabled (EBD) Waiver, the state-funded Home Care Allowance cash benefit, PACE in participating service areas, the I/DD waivers and state Supported Living Services, and Area Agency on Aging caregiver support, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Colorado veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Colorado Medicaid / CFC
Community First Choice (CFC)
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid State Plan LTSS for people meeting institutional level of care; covers personal care, homemaker, HMA, meals, PERS, medication reminder, remote supports and transition setup.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado plus CFC eligibility/level of care or qualifying HCBS-waiver enrollment.
How to start: Ask the local Case Management Agency for CFC assessment/service planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; delivery-model and relationship rules apply
CFC Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on assistance with ADLs and related personal-care tasks under an authorized plan.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and assessed personal-care need.
How to start: Request assessment and choose agency, IHSS or CDASS delivery if available.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through CDASS/IHSS
CFC Homemaker
YesHelps pay for: Help with household tasks necessary to maintain health and safety at home.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and assessed homemaker need; current utilization rules apply.
How to start: Ask case manager to authorize homemaker tasks and appropriate delivery model.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes; special LRP limits may apply
CFC Health Maintenance Activities (HMA)
YesHelps pay for: Routine/repetitive health-related tasks necessary for health and normal bodily functioning, delivered through CDASS/IHSS.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility, assessed HMA need and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Discuss HMA needs with case manager and CDASS/IHSS provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, including family attendants subject to rules
CFC Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Meal delivery for members unable to prepare/access meals; current billing manual allows up to 2 meals/day and 730/year, with case-by-case continuation based on need.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility plus documented dietary/functional need and lack of other meal resources.
How to start: Ask case manager to add home-delivered meals.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
CFC Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Emergency alert equipment and monitoring that can reduce supervision needs and support independent living.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Ask case manager about PERS installation/monitoring.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
CFC Medication Reminder
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Electronic medication-reminder equipment/monitoring to support safe medication routines at home.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and documented need.
How to start: Ask case manager about medication-reminder services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
CFC Remote Supports
Offsets care cost / supervisionHelps pay for: Live two-way remote staff support plus technology for prompts, safety and independence.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility, assessed need and technology/provider requirements.
How to start: Ask case manager whether remote supports can substitute for some in-person supervision.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
CFC Transition Setup
Offsets transition costHelps pay for: One-time household setup expenses for eligible members moving from an institution or Regional Center to a non-provider-owned community home; billing manual lists up to $2,000 per service-plan year.
Who qualifies: CFC eligibility and qualifying institutional/community transition; not for provider-owned or community-to-community moves.
How to start: Ask transition coordinator/case manager before purchasing setup items.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Medicaid / Self-Direction
Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed personal care, homemaker and health-maintenance activities; member hires, trains, schedules and supervises attendants and manages an authorized budget.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado; CFC eligibility; assessed need; member or authorized representative must be able to direct services.
How to start: Tell the case manager you want CDASS and complete required training/FMS enrollment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes — family/friends may be hired, with restrictions
In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
YesHelps pay for: Member selects and supervises attendants while an approved home-health agency handles employment, training/oversight and coordinated skilled/unskilled services.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado; CFC eligibility; assessed need for personal care, homemaker and/or HMA.
How to start: Ask the case manager for IHSS and choose an approved IHSS agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes — family members may be selected
Colorado Medicaid / Paid Family Care
CDASS Paid Family / Legally Responsible Caregiver
YesHelps pay for: Colorado recognizes paid family-caregiver options under CFC/CDASS, including certain legally responsible caregivers; permitted services, tasks and hours depend on current rules.
Who qualifies: Worker enrollment, relationship/task rules and authorized service plan apply. HCPF has 2026 sustainability changes still labeled pending federal approval on its public page.
How to start: Review the current Legally Responsible Person guide with the case manager before setting schedules.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, subject to current LRP rules
IHSS Paid Family / Legally Responsible Caregiver
YesHelps pay for: IHSS can use family attendants and has specific codes/rules for legally responsible caregiver services such as homemaker care.
Who qualifies: Authorized CFC plan; attendant must meet agency/program requirements; service/task limits apply.
How to start: Ask an IHSS agency and case manager which family-caregiver services are allowable.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, subject to agency and LRP rules
Colorado Medicaid / HCBS
Elderly, Blind and Disabled (EBD) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: Adds HCBS such as adult day, respite, home modification, life-skills, peer mentorship and non-medical transportation to State Plan/CFC services.
Who qualifies: Age 65+ with functional impairment or age 18-64 blind/physically disabled/HIV-AIDS; financial and nursing-facility level-of-care rules.
How to start: Request LTSS assessment through local Case Management Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through separate CFC delivery options
Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: HCBS for eligible people with brain injury, providing community-based alternatives and supports beyond State Plan/CFC benefits.
Who qualifies: Age/diagnosis, financial and level-of-care requirements; waiver service authorization.
How to start: Request assessment through Case Management Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes via CFC delivery options
Community Mental Health Supports (CMHS) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: Community supports for eligible adults with serious mental illness who need institutional-level LTSS.
Who qualifies: Age 18+, qualifying mental-health condition, financial/level-of-care rules.
How to start: Request LTSS assessment through Case Management Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes via CFC delivery options
Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: HCBS for eligible adults with spinal-cord/nervous-system conditions and significant mobility limitations; includes specialized supports.
Who qualifies: Age 18+, qualifying condition/function, financial and level-of-care requirements.
How to start: Request waiver assessment through Case Management Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes via CFC delivery options
Colorado Medicaid / EBD
EBD Home Modification
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Qualifying accessibility/safety modifications that support independence and reduce need for paid assistance.
Who qualifies: EBD (or another eligible waiver) and approved, cost-effective modification tied to assessed need.
How to start: Discuss modification with case manager before contracting/purchasing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
EBD Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Short-term relief for unpaid caregivers through authorized respite services.
Who qualifies: EBD eligibility, assessed caregiver need and service authorization.
How to start: Ask EBD case manager about respite frequency/provider options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage to primary caregiver
EBD Adult Day / Alternative Care Supports
Offsets care cost / care settingHelps pay for: Adult day and qualifying community residential supports can reduce private home-care hours or delay institutional placement.
Who qualifies: EBD eligibility and service-specific assessment/provider rules.
How to start: Ask the case manager about adult day or alternative community supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Medicaid / Integrated Care
PACE
YesHelps pay for: Integrated Medicare/Medicaid medical care and LTSS, including home care, meals, transportation, therapies, DME and respite.
Who qualifies: Age 55+; nursing-facility level of care; live in PACE service area; able to live safely in community.
How to start: Contact a Colorado PACE organization or HCPF for service-area screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct cash wage
Colorado State / Cash Support
Home Care Allowance (HCA)
Cash for home careHelps pay for: State cash assistance for eligible people age 5+ with disabilities to pay a home-care provider for bathing, dressing, meal preparation, shopping and similar tasks.
Who qualifies: County determines financial eligibility; Case Management Agency assesses functional eligibility/amount. 2026 payment floor is $977 for all three tiers.
How to start: Apply through county human services and complete CMA functional assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially; verify provider-relationship rules
Old Age Pension (OAP)
Indirect cashHelps pay for: Monthly state cash assistance for qualifying low-income Coloradans age 60+, preserving income for home-care expenses.
Who qualifies: Age 60+ and financial/resource rules; 2026 grant standards and other income affect payment.
How to start: Apply through county human services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Colorado Medicaid / Medical
Medicaid Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Medically necessary skilled nursing, therapy and home-health services under Health First Colorado coverage rules.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado enrollment, medical necessity, orders and provider requirements.
How to start: Ask treating clinician/Health First Colorado about home-health referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Long-Term Home Health (LTHH)
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Ongoing home-health support for qualifying Medicaid members with longer-term skilled/home-health needs.
Who qualifies: Medical necessity, Health First Colorado eligibility and program/service authorization.
How to start: Ask case manager/clinician whether LTHH applies.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through worker models; verify
Private Duty Nursing
Yes - nursingHelps pay for: Extended one-on-one nursing in the home for eligible members with complex medical needs.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado, medical necessity and PDN authorization/provider rules.
How to start: Ask treating specialist/case manager for PDN assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family payment generally no unless independently qualified/enrolled
Medicaid Hospice
Yes - hospice/home healthHelps pay for: Hospice services for eligible Medicaid members with terminal illness; can reduce out-of-pocket nursing, aide and symptom-management costs.
Who qualifies: Terminal-illness/hospice election and Medicaid/provider rules.
How to start: Ask clinician or Medicaid plan about hospice referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Colorado Medicaid / Pediatric
Pediatric Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Personal-care support for eligible children whose disability/medical condition creates an assessed need for hands-on assistance.
Who qualifies: Child must meet Health First Colorado and program-specific medical/functional requirements.
How to start: Ask pediatric care team/case manager about personal-care and CFC options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Parent-caregiver options may exist under other CFC/IHSS pathways; verify
Colorado Medicaid / Transportation
Non-Emergent Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Offsets caregiver driving costHelps pay for: Transportation to covered medical appointments for eligible members who lack transportation.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado member; covered appointment; no other transportation resource; scheduling rules apply.
How to start: Arrange through the appropriate NEMT broker/provider before the trip.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Medicaid / Transition
Money Follows the Person (MFP)
Offsets transition / supports careHelps pay for: Person-centered transition help for eligible Medicaid residents moving from long-term-care institutions to community living.
Who qualifies: Generally Medicaid member in qualifying institutional setting who wants and can transition; program criteria apply.
How to start: Ask facility social worker, transition coordinator or HCPF for MFP screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Transition Services
Offsets transition costHelps pay for: Transition coordination and waiver supports to establish community living after institutional care or certain major life events.
Who qualifies: Health First Colorado and qualifying waiver/transition criteria.
How to start: Ask case manager or transition coordinator before moving/purchasing items.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Medicaid / I/DD
Supported Living Services (SLS) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: Supports adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities living in their own/family homes with community supports.
Who qualifies: Age 18+ with I/DD, Medicaid/waiver eligibility and support-need assessment.
How to start: Contact local Case Management Agency for DD/SLS screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Some family-worker pathways may exist; service rules apply
Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: Comprehensive residential and day/community supports for eligible adults with I/DD who need substantial 24-hour support.
Who qualifies: Age 18+ with I/DD and waiver/level-of-care eligibility; available placement/authorization.
How to start: Contact Case Management Agency for DD waiver assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; verify family provider rules
Colorado State / I/DD
State Supported Living Services (State SLS)
Sometimes / support servicesHelps pay for: State-funded, non-waiver supports helping adults with I/DD remain independent; may include assistive tech, respite, transportation, equipment and employment supports.
Who qualifies: Age 18+ with I/DD; cannot receive same services through an HCBS waiver; funding limited by annual appropriation.
How to start: Ask Case Management Agency about State SLS availability.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; not a general caregiver wage
Colorado Medicaid / Children I/DD
Children’s Extensive Support (CES) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: HCBS for children with developmental disabilities and intensive behavioral/medical needs at risk of out-of-home placement.
Who qualifies: Child eligibility, I/DD/developmental criteria, financial/level-of-care and service-plan rules.
How to start: Contact Case Management Agency for CES assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Parent/family provision may be allowed for specific services; verify current rules
Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: Residential/community supports for eligible children/youth with I/DD and high support needs.
Who qualifies: Child/youth must meet current CHRP eligibility and service-plan criteria.
How to start: Contact Case Management Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Parent/family provision can be service-specific; verify
Colorado Medicaid / Children Medical
Children with Complex Health Needs (CwCHN) Waiver
Yes / supports careHelps pay for: HCBS for eligible children with complex health needs; current structure incorporates prior children’s waiver transitions and coordinates with CFC.
Who qualifies: Child must meet program medical/functional, financial and level-of-care criteria.
How to start: Contact Case Management Agency and ask about CFC plus CwCHN services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Parent caregiver may be possible through CFC/IHSS/CDASS when rules are met
Colorado Medicaid / Disability Employment
Working Adults with Disabilities Buy-In
Enables coverageHelps pay for: Allows qualifying working adults with disabilities whose income is too high for regular Medicaid to buy into Health First Colorado, potentially preserving access to EBD/CMHS HCBS.
Who qualifies: Disability, employment, income/premium and program requirements.
How to start: Apply for the Working Adults with Disabilities Buy-In.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Indirect
Colorado Aging Network
AAA Community Support Services
Sometimes / subsidizedHelps pay for: Local Area Agencies on Aging can connect adults to care coordination, information/assistance, transportation and other community supports.
Who qualifies: Usually older adults/caregivers; local eligibility, funding and priorities vary.
How to start: Contact local AAA through the State Unit on Aging/ADRC.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
AAA In-Home Homemaker / Chore / Personal Care
Yes / subsidizedHelps pay for: Local aging programs may subsidize homemaking, chore and personal-care assistance that helps older adults remain at home.
Who qualifies: Local assessment, age/need and funding availability vary by AAA.
How to start: Ask local AAA specifically about in-home support funding.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage
Colorado Caregiver Support
National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Caregiver information, counseling/training, respite and supplemental supports such as home modifications, assistive technology, emergency response and supplies.
Who qualifies: Older Americans Act caregiver categories plus local availability/priorities.
How to start: Contact local AAA caregiver-support program.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous wage
Colorado Aging / Nutrition
Older Adult Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Meals for eligible older/homebound adults can reduce food spending and caregiver meal-preparation time.
Who qualifies: Local age, homebound/need and funding criteria.
How to start: Contact local AAA or senior nutrition provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Congregate Meals
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Group meals for eligible older adults reduce food costs and provide social support.
Who qualifies: Local Older Americans Act eligibility and site availability.
How to start: Contact local senior nutrition program/AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Aging / Transportation
Senior / Disability Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Local transportation programs can reduce caregiver driving burden and transportation spending.
Who qualifies: Local age/disability, trip purpose, geographic and funding rules.
How to start: Ask ADRC/AAA about local ride programs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Colorado Navigation
Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC)
Navigation / cost avoidanceHelps pay for: Statewide no-wrong-door navigation for LTSS, benefits and local aging/disability resources.
Who qualifies: Open to people seeking aging/disability resource information; program eligibility varies.
How to start: Call 1-844-COL-ADRC (1-844-265-2372).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Counseling
Colorado SHIP
Offsets health costsHelps pay for: Free Medicare counseling can identify Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, coverage options and plan savings.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary/caregiver seeking counseling.
How to start: Call Colorado SHIP or use HCPF member resources.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Assistance
SNAP
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Monthly food benefits reduce grocery spending and preserve household cash for care.
Who qualifies: Income/household and program eligibility.
How to start: Apply through Colorado PEAK/county human services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Everyday Eats (CSFP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Monthly food package for qualifying Coloradans age 60+, reducing grocery costs.
Who qualifies: Age 60+ and current income/program eligibility.
How to start: Apply through an Everyday Eats local partner.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Cost Reduction
Medicare Savings Programs
Offsets health costsHelps pay for: QMB/SLMB/QI and related programs can help pay Medicare premiums and, depending on category, other cost sharing.
Who qualifies: Medicare plus income/resource/program rules.
How to start: Apply through Health First Colorado/county; SHIP can help screen.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Part D Extra Help
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Federal subsidy lowers Medicare prescription-drug premiums and out-of-pocket costs, preserving income for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare and income/resource eligibility; some Medicaid/MSP recipients qualify automatically.
How to start: Apply through Social Security/Medicare or ask SHIP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health
Yes - skilled/limited aideHelps pay for: Part-time/intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and home-health aide services when Medicare criteria are met.
Who qualifies: Homebound status and skilled-care need, plan of care and Medicare-certified agency requirements.
How to start: Ask treating clinician for Medicare home-health certification/referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Medicare may cover caregiver training when needed as part of the patient’s treatment plan, reducing private training costs.
Who qualifies: Medicare coverage and clinician-determined training need.
How to start: Ask clinician whether caregiver training is medically necessary/covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage
Medicare Hospice
Yes - hospiceHelps pay for: Hospice benefit can cover nursing, aide, equipment, medications related to terminal illness, counseling and short-term respite.
Who qualifies: Medicare hospice eligibility/election and certified provider.
How to start: Ask clinician or hospice provider for eligibility assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare / Dementia
GUIDE Dementia Model
Respite/supportHelps pay for: Participating Medicare providers can offer dementia care coordination, caregiver support/training and respite services for eligible beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Traditional Medicare and participating GUIDE organization/clinical criteria.
How to start: Ask Medicare/clinician whether a local GUIDE participant serves the beneficiary.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous wage
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Supplemental Home Benefits
Sometimes / plan-specificHelps pay for: Some MA plans offer in-home support, meals, transportation or caregiver-related supplemental benefits beyond Original Medicare.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in plan offering benefit; eligibility/utilization rules vary annually.
How to start: Review Evidence of Coverage and call plan/SHIP before purchasing care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no
Energy Assistance
Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Seasonal heating assistance reduces utility spending and preserves income for care.
Who qualifies: Income/household and seasonal rules; 2025-26 season ended April 30, 2026; check next season.
How to start: Apply during an open LEAP season.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Housing / Energy
Weatherization Assistance
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Energy-efficiency improvements can lower utility costs and improve home comfort/safety.
Who qualifies: Income/home eligibility and local provider capacity.
How to start: Contact Colorado Weatherization provider for assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax / Cost Reduction
Property Tax / Rent / Heat (PTC) Rebate
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Refundable Colorado rebate helps qualifying low-income older adults with property tax, rent and heat expenses.
Who qualifies: Current tax-year age/residency/income rules; people qualifying by disability may need DAC instead.
How to start: Review current DOR rules and file the PTC application if eligible.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax / Disability
Disability Assistance Credit (DAC)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: New Colorado refundable credit for qualifying people with disabilities can preserve cash for care; those eligible for both DAC and PTC can claim only one.
Who qualifies: Full-year Colorado residency and qualifying disability/income rules for the tax year.
How to start: Compare DAC vs PTC and file the more beneficial eligible credit.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax
Senior / Disabled Veteran Property-Tax Relief
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Colorado property-tax exemptions/classifications for qualifying seniors and veterans with disabilities can reduce housing costs and preserve money for care.
Who qualifies: Age/disability, ownership/occupancy and county/state qualification rules.
How to start: Ask county assessor and Colorado DOLA/DOR which relief applies.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
YesHelps pay for: Private LTC insurance may reimburse covered home-care/personal-care expenses once policy benefit triggers are met.
Who qualifies: Policy-specific benefit triggers, elimination period, daily/monthly limits and covered-provider rules.
How to start: Request current policy schedule and claim packet before hiring care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, depending policy
Insurance / Medicaid Planning
Colorado Long-Term Care Partnership Policy
Yes via insuranceHelps pay for: Qualified Partnership LTC insurance can combine insurance benefits with Medicaid asset-disregard protection under program rules.
Who qualifies: Must be a qualified Colorado Partnership policy and later meet Medicaid eligibility rules.
How to start: Confirm policy Partnership status and consult insurer/benefits specialist.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends policy
Housing Finance
HECM Reverse Mortgage
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Eligible homeowners age 62+ can convert home equity to cash that may be used for home-care expenses.
Who qualifies: Age/home equity/property and FHA HECM rules; loan becomes due under specified events and affects estate equity.
How to start: Use HUD-approved counseling before applying.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
VA Benefits
Veteran-Directed Care
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed VA budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to local program rules.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical criteria and local availability.
How to start: Ask VA social worker whether VDC is available in the Veteran’s area.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly pension for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other criteria; cash can be used toward care.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA pension plus Aid & Attendance criteria; financial/medical rules apply.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited representative.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may authorize a 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 worker for assessment/referral.
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
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans who need personal care; participant can hire workers, including family, subject to local rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran, community-care eligibility, clinical criteria and local VDC availability. Ask VA social worker whether VDC serves the Veteran’s location.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care.
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/authorization and provider availability. Ask VA care team for skilled-home-health 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 provide in-home, adult-day or facility respite to give caregivers a break.
Who qualifies: Enrollment, clinical need and local availability/authorization. Ask VA social worker or Caregiver Support Coordinator.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional pension payment for qualifying Veterans/survivors needing ADL help or meeting other A&A criteria.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension plus A&A medical/financial criteria. Apply via VA or an accredited representative.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
PCAFC Caregiver Stipend
Direct caregiver stipendHelps pay for: VA 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 PCAFC Caregiver Stipend.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Community Care Network - Region 4
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care can include home health and other approved services. Colorado is in CCN Region 4, administered by TriWest.
Who qualifies: VA referral/authorization and community-care eligibility generally apply. Obtain VA authorization before routine community care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Community Care Network - Region 4.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)
Home-based clinical careHelps pay for: Interdisciplinary VA primary care delivered in the home for eligible Veterans with complex chronic conditions.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need and local program availability. Ask VA primary care/social worker about HBPC.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medical Foster Home
Residential care alternativeHelps pay for: Private-home residential option paired with VA home-based services for Veterans who need substantial assistance and prefer a small-home setting.
Who qualifies: Clinical suitability, local program availability and private-pay/VA benefit coordination. Ask VA social worker about Medical Foster Home.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Medical Foster Home.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
VA Caregiver Support Program
Support / respite navigationHelps pay for: Coaching, education, peer support, respite navigation and caregiver services; also gateway to PCAFC/PCAFC screening.
Who qualifies: Veteran/caregiver relationship and program-specific criteria vary. Call Caregiver Support Line or local coordinator.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Caregiver Support Program.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: PCAFC may pay stipend
VA Pension
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Needs-based monthly pension for qualifying wartime Veterans/survivors; pension income can help fund home care.
Who qualifies: Service, age/disability, income/net-worth and other VA pension rules. Apply through VA or accredited VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Colorado Veterans Service Officers
Benefits accessHelps pay for: Accredited state/county assistance with VA claims, pension/Aid & Attendance and benefits navigation.
Who qualifies: Veteran/survivor seeking claims help; benefit-specific eligibility applies. Contact Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs / county VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Colorado Veterans Service Officers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
Where Colorado Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Medicaid/CFC eligibility, member questions and LTSS program navigation
Health First Colorado Member Contact Center
CFC, CDASS/IHSS, EBD and HCBS waiver assessment/service planning
Local Case Management Agency
Self-direction, family-attendant rules, FMS and enrollment process
CDASS
Agency-supported self-direction and family-attendant options
IHSS
State HCA cash benefit and Old Age Pension applications
Home Care Allowance / County Human Services
No-wrong-door LTSS navigation, local AAA and disability resources
Aging & Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC)
Caregiver support, respite, meals, transportation and in-home aging services
Colorado State Unit on Aging / Local AAA
Free Medicare counseling, MSP/Extra Help screening and plan review
Colorado SHIP
Integrated medical/LTSS screening for adults 55+ in service areas
Colorado PACE
Help moving from nursing facility/institution to community living
Transition Services / Money Follows the Person
Accredited help with VA pension, Aid & Attendance and claims
Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs / VSO
PCAFC stipend screening, caregiver support and respite navigation
VA Caregiver Support
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
CFC is now the main gateway for attendant services
CDASS and IHSS personal care, homemaker and HMA moved to Community First Choice for new enrollees July 1, 2025; waiver-member transition window ran through June 30, 2026.
CDASS and IHSS are different self-direction models
CDASS makes the member/representative the employer with FMS support. IHSS uses an approved agency as employer/provider while the member selects and supervises attendants.
Family and legally responsible caregivers can be paid — but rules are service-specific
Colorado recognizes family and legally responsible caregiver options under CFC. Spouses and parents/guardians of minors can fall within LRP rules, but allowable tasks, service codes, worker enrollment and hours differ.
2026 caregiver caps need current-status verification
HCPF’s public sustainability page still labels the proposed 56-hour single-caregiver limit, service soft caps and 5-hour weekly LRP homemaker cap as pending federal approval. Verify actual effective status before setting a paid-care schedule.
Home Care Allowance is state cash, not Medicaid
HCA uses county financial eligibility plus a Case Management Agency functional assessment. The statewide payment floor for all three tiers is $977 effective January 1, 2026.
EBD and CFC can work together
CFC supplies core personal care/homemaker/HMA and other State Plan LTSS; EBD can add waiver-specific services such as respite, adult day, home modifications and non-medical transportation without duplicating services.
PACE replaces fragmented benefit management
PACE integrates Medicare/Medicaid and LTSS for eligible adults 55+ in service areas. Enrollment changes how most covered care is arranged, so compare PACE with waiver/CFC options before enrolling.
Transition programs have specific institutional criteria
MFP and Transition Services can help with community moves, but eligibility depends on institutional setting, Medicaid status and destination. Get authorization before committing to moving/setup expenses.
State SLS is appropriation-limited
State Supported Living Services is not the same as the Medicaid SLS waiver and depends on annual state funding; availability is not guaranteed.
PTC and DAC require a choice for dual-qualifiers
For the 2025 tax year filed in 2026, Colorado says people who qualify for both the PTC Rebate and Disability Assistance Credit can claim only one; compare benefits before filing.
VA community care requires authorization
Colorado is in VA CCN Region 4, administered by TriWest. Routine community home care generally needs VA referral/authorization; do not assume reimbursement after private hire.
Coordinate benefits before restructuring finances
Medicaid, HCA/OAP, VA cash benefits, insurance, reverse mortgages and tax programs can interact with income/resource rules, estate recovery, tax treatment and employment law. Verify before transferring assets or formalizing family-caregiver pay.
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 Colorado to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Colorado
These providers serve families in Colorado and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
A Better Solution In Home Care – South Denver, CO
Serving Colorado
A Better Solution In Home Care – South Denver, CO provides home care services in the South Denver area.
Communities Served
South Denver
View Provider Profile →
Grace At Home Care – Denver, CO
Serving Colorado
Grace At Home Care provides home care services in Denver, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Denver, Arvada, Aurora and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Grace At Home Care – Evergreen, CO
Serving Colorado
Grace At Home Care provides home care services in Evergreen, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Evergreen, Conifer, Golden and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Talem Home Care – Broomfield, CO
Serving Colorado
Talem Home Care provides home care services in Broomfield, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Arvada, Aurora, Boulder and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Talem Home Care – Colorado Springs, CO
Serving Colorado
Talem Home Care provides home care services in Colorado Springs, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Colorado Springs, Air Force Academy, Black Forest and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Talem Home Care – Denver, CO
Serving Colorado
Talem Home Care provides home care services in Denver, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Acres Green, Castle Pines, Castle Pines Village and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →
Talem Home Care – Fort Collins, CO
Serving Colorado
Talem Home Care provides home care services in Fort Collins, CO and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Ault, Berthoud, Eaton and surrounding areas
View Provider Profile →