How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Idaho
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Idaho-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. Idaho's strongest state-specific pathways include the Aged and Disabled Waiver with state-plan Personal Care Services, the Adult DD Waiver with My Voice, My Choice self-direction, Children's DD Family-Directed Supports, Idaho Home Choice transition assistance, AAA/ADRC and Family Caregiver Support programs, and SHIBA and other household cost offsets, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Idaho veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Idaho Medicaid / LTSS
Aged & Disabled (A&D) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS alternative to institutional care; can authorize a broad package of in-home and community supports for eligible older adults and people with disabilities.
Who qualifies: Medicaid financial eligibility plus nursing-facility level of care and assessed service need.
How to start: Apply for Medicaid and complete the Level of Care determination.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no for legally responsible individuals
Idaho Medicaid / A&D
A&D Attendant Care
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on or supervisory assistance with daily living and community-living tasks when authorized in the A&D plan.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the BLTC assessor/case manager about attendant care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: LRI restriction applies
A&D Homemaker
YesHelps pay for: Help with essential household tasks that support safe community living.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and assessed need.
How to start: Ask the case manager whether homemaker services fit the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family stipend
A&D Chore Services
PartialHelps pay for: Heavy household or home-maintenance tasks needed for health and safety.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility; service must be authorized and allowable.
How to start: Discuss safety/home-maintenance needs during service planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Companion Services
Yes / partialHelps pay for: Supervision, socialization and selected community-living assistance when included in the plan.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and assessed need.
How to start: Ask the case manager about companion services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: LRI restriction applies
A&D Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Short-term relief for an unpaid caregiver through approved respite services.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility; respite must be authorized.
How to start: Request respite through the case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
A&D Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Authorized meals can reduce meal-preparation burden and food spending.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and assessed need.
How to start: Ask the case manager about home-delivered meals.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Emergency alert/response technology that supports independent living and can reduce paid supervision needs.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Discuss fall/safety risks with the case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Approved home modifications can improve access and safety and reduce hands-on assistance needs.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility; modification must meet waiver requirements and be authorized before work.
How to start: Ask the case manager before starting modifications.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Specialized Medical Equipment & Supplies
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund approved equipment/supplies that support health, safety and independent living.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and medical/functional necessity.
How to start: Discuss equipment needs with the care team/case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Non-Medical Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover approved non-medical transportation related to waiver/community goals.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the case manager what transportation is covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Adult Day Health
Offsets care cost / day careHelps pay for: Daytime supervision, health-related services and activities can reduce paid in-home hours.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility and plan authorization; provider availability varies.
How to start: Ask the case manager about adult day health options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
A&D Skilled Nursing
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Skilled nursing may be included when medically necessary and authorized under the waiver plan.
Who qualifies: A&D eligibility, medical necessity and service authorization.
How to start: Ask the case manager/clinician about skilled nursing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No unless separately qualified provider
Idaho Medicaid / State Plan
Personal Care Services (PCS)
YesHelps pay for: State-plan PCS can cover help with grooming, bathing, toileting, dressing, food/nutrition and incidental housekeeping.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility, functional need and assessment/authorization requirements.
How to start: Request PCS assessment through DHW/BLTC.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Legally responsible individuals cannot be paid
Idaho Medicaid / Medical
Medicaid Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Doctor-prescribed home health care can include medically necessary skilled services under Medicaid coverage rules.
Who qualifies: Medicaid enrollment, medical necessity and provider requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician for a home-health order/referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / End of Life
Medicaid Hospice
Yes - hospiceHelps pay for: Hospice care is covered for eligible Medicaid members who meet terminal-illness and election requirements.
Who qualifies: Medicaid coverage plus hospice clinical/election criteria.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician or hospice provider for evaluation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Transition
Idaho Home Choice
Offsets transition/care costHelps pay for: Money Follows the Person transition program helping eligible institutional residents move to a qualified community residence.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligible at discharge; qualifies for A&D or DD waiver; moving from eligible institution to qualified residence.
How to start: Contact Idaho Home Choice for screening and transition planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Home Choice Transition Funds
Cash-like transition supportHelps pay for: Can provide up to $2,000 for household furnishings, goods/supplies, moving expenses, and utility/security deposits during an approved transition.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for Idaho Home Choice.
How to start: Work with the transition manager before incurring costs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Medicaid / Developmental Disability
Adult Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for qualifying adults with developmental disabilities, with traditional and self-directed service models.
Who qualifies: Adult DD eligibility, Medicaid/waiver criteria and individualized support plan.
How to start: Apply for adult DD services and complete assessment/planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Varies by service/worker rules
Idaho Medicaid / DD Self-Direction
My Voice, My Choice
YesHelps pay for: Idaho adult DD self-direction program gives the participant an individualized Medicaid budget and authority to hire/manage workers and choose supports.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for the DD waiver and choose self-direction; approved support/spending plan required.
How to start: Tell the DD team you want My Voice, My Choice and complete required training/planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially - can hire people the participant knows, subject to worker rules
Self-Directed Community Support Worker
YesHelps pay for: Participant chooses and hires Community Support Workers, sets schedules and directs the supports they provide within the approved plan.
Who qualifies: DD waiver self-direction, approved budget and employment/fiscal-agent requirements.
How to start: Use the support broker/fiscal employer agent to onboard an allowable worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially, subject to worker eligibility/conflict rules
Idaho Medicaid / DD
Traditional Residential Habilitation
Yes / residential supportHelps pay for: Traditional DD services can include residential habilitation/community-living support for eligible members.
Who qualifies: DD waiver eligibility and individualized plan.
How to start: Work with plan developer/service coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family stipend unless worker is independently allowable
DD Adult Day Health
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Day services can provide supervision, skill building and health-related supports that may reduce in-home caregiver hours.
Who qualifies: DD waiver eligibility and approved support plan.
How to start: Ask plan developer/service coordinator about adult day health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
DD Supported Employment
Offsets household/care costHelps pay for: Employment supports can build independence and income and reduce reliance on unpaid caregiver supervision.
Who qualifies: DD eligibility and employment-support need.
How to start: Ask service coordinator about supported employment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
DD Non-Medical Transportation & PERS
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Traditional DD services can include transportation and personal emergency response supports that reduce caregiver burden.
Who qualifies: DD waiver eligibility and plan authorization.
How to start: Add allowable transportation/PERS supports to the ISP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Medicaid / Children DD
Family-Directed Support Services (FDS)
Yes / support budgetHelps pay for: Parents of eligible children with developmental disabilities receive an individualized budget and can design/direct services and hire people they know.
Who qualifies: Child must qualify for Medicaid Children DD support services; family accepts employer/budget responsibilities.
How to start: Ask the child DD case manager about the family-directed option.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially - worker relationship rules apply
Children DD Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: 1915(i) support services can provide short-term care so family caregivers can rest or handle other responsibilities.
Who qualifies: Eligible child with developmental disability and approved service plan/budget.
How to start: Ask the child DD case manager to assess respite need.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Children DD Community-Based Supports
Yes / supportHelps pay for: Supports help children participate in community activities and build independence, reducing some hands-on family burden.
Who qualifies: Children DD eligibility and approved plan.
How to start: Discuss community-based supports during family-centered planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through allowable worker under family direction
Children’s Habilitation Intervention Services (CHIS)
Yes / habilitationHelps pay for: Habilitative skill development, behavioral intervention, interdisciplinary training and crisis intervention for eligible Medicaid members through age 20.
Who qualifies: Medicaid member birth through month of 21st birthday with assessed need.
How to start: Ask Children DD/Medicaid about CHIS providers and authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Children
Katie Beckett Medicaid
Enables Medicaid-funded careHelps pay for: Allows some children with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs to qualify for Medicaid while living at home even when family income is above ordinary Medicaid limits.
Who qualifies: Child under 19, Idaho resident, disability/level-of-care and other Katie Beckett criteria.
How to start: Apply through DHW for Katie Beckett and complete required assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Children Behavioral Health
Youth Empowerment Services (YES)
Yes / respite & HCBSHelps pay for: System of care for children with serious emotional disturbance; Medicaid YES can cover HCBS, PCS, respite, home health and service coordination.
Who qualifies: Under 18 with SED functional assessment; Medicaid YES has expanded income rules up to 300% FPG with possible premium.
How to start: Complete functional assessment, then apply for Medicaid YES if eligible.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Disability Work Incentive
Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities
Enables home-care coverageHelps pay for: Lets qualifying working people with disabilities keep Medicaid Enhanced Plan coverage, including LTSS, with higher income/resource limits and sliding premiums.
Who qualifies: Age 16-64, disability, work/self-employment, Idaho residence and program financial rules.
How to start: Apply through DHW/Self-Reliance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Dual Eligible
Medicare Medicaid Coordinated Plan (MMCP)
Coordinates LTSSHelps pay for: Voluntary integrated Medicare/Medicaid plan for qualifying dual-eligible adults; includes care coordination and Enhanced Plan Medicaid benefits.
Who qualifies: Age 21+, Medicare A/B/D and Medicaid Enhanced eligibility; plan rules apply.
How to start: Call Idaho duals program and compare plan options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid Plus (IMPlus)
Coordinates LTSSHelps pay for: Managed Medicaid option for dual-eligible members that coordinates Medicaid benefits, including LTSS, through Molina or UnitedHealthcare.
Who qualifies: Dual-eligible member meeting IMPlus enrollment rules.
How to start: Review the IMPlus selection notice or call the duals program.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Idaho Medicaid / Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Offsets transportation/caregiver timeHelps pay for: Statewide transportation to and from Medicaid-covered health services when the member has no other means of transportation.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility and transportation need; scheduling/authorization rules apply.
How to start: Schedule through MTM before the appointment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Medicaid / Cash Support
Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) Cash Assistance
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Cash assistance for qualifying Idaho residents who are age 65+, blind or disabled; can help with household expenses and preserve other income for care.
Who qualifies: AABD age/disability and financial eligibility rules.
How to start: Apply through Self-Reliance/idalink.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Idaho Aging / Navigation
Aging & Disability Resource Center / Information & Assistance
Navigation / cost reductionHelps pay for: Local AAA/ADRC staff help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers identify services, eligibility, costs and financial assistance.
Who qualifies: Program-specific; navigation itself broadly available.
How to start: Contact Idaho Commission on Aging/AAA or call 211.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Aging / Caregiver Support
Idaho Family Caregiver Support Program
Partial / respite supportHelps pay for: Caregiver information, training, planning, support groups, respite navigation and access to supplemental resources through local AAAs.
Who qualifies: Older Americans Act caregiver eligibility and local funding/priority rules.
How to start: Contact the local Area Agency on Aging.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Idaho Aging / Respite
Idaho Lifespan Respite Project / Local Respite Resources
Yes - respite / referralHelps pay for: Statewide project and local publicly funded respite programs expand access to breaks for caregivers across ages/disabilities.
Who qualifies: Program-specific eligibility and local funding availability.
How to start: Ask the local AAA/ADRC about current respite programs and openings.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Varies by local program
Idaho Aging / In-Home Services
AAA Homemaker Services
Yes / subsidizedHelps pay for: Local aging programs may provide housekeeping, meal preparation, essential shopping/errands, bill-paying and medication-management assistance after assessment.
Who qualifies: Local assessment, funding and priority criteria; availability varies by AAA.
How to start: Request an in-home services assessment through the local AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Idaho Aging / Home Safety
AAA Chore / Home Maintenance & Repair Assistance
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Chore services may include grab bars/ramps, seasonal yard work, heavy cleaning and minor household maintenance.
Who qualifies: Older-adult need, local assessment/funding and provider availability.
How to start: Ask the local AAA about Chore eligibility or referral options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Aging / Nutrition
Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Meals for many adults 60+ who are homebound, frail and unable to prepare meals; can reduce food costs and meal-preparation caregiver time.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+, homebound/frail/unable to prepare meals; AAA may add criteria/waitlist.
How to start: Contact local AAA or meal provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Congregate Meals
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Community meal programs can reduce food costs while supporting nutrition and social connection.
Who qualifies: Older Americans Act/local program age and eligibility rules.
How to start: Ask the local AAA for nearby meal sites.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Aging / Transportation
AAA Senior Transportation
Offsets transportation/caregiver timeHelps pay for: Local transportation programs can help with medical care, meal sites, shopping, adult day care, employment and social-service appointments.
Who qualifies: Local age/need/funding criteria vary.
How to start: Contact the local AAA or transportation provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Aging / Legal
Legal Assistance for Older Adults
Offsets legal/household costHelps pay for: Legal aid/AAA programs can help with income, health/LTSS, housing/utilities, guardianship, abuse/neglect and related civil issues affecting ability to remain at home.
Who qualifies: Priority generally for adults 60+ with greatest economic/social need; local capacity varies.
How to start: Contact Idaho Legal Aid or local AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Counseling
Idaho SHIBA
Offsets insurance/medical costHelps pay for: Free, unbiased Medicare counseling can identify Medicare Savings Programs, Part D Extra Help and coverage choices that preserve income for care.
Who qualifies: Available to Idahoans with Medicare and people helping them.
How to start: Call SHIBA for counseling or appointment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Income / Employment
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Paid part-time community-service training for qualifying unemployed low-income adults 55+ can add income and build a path to employment.
Who qualifies: Age 55+, unemployed, low income and barriers to employment.
How to start: Contact Easterseals-Goodwill/Idaho SCSEP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Cost Reduction
SNAP
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Food benefits can reduce grocery spending, preserving cash for care and other household needs.
Who qualifies: Idaho residency, citizenship/immigration and income/resource rules; exceptions apply.
How to start: Apply through idalink or Self-Reliance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Energy Cost Reduction
LIHEAP Seasonal Heating Assistance
Offsets household costHelps pay for: One seasonal payment toward heating costs for qualifying Idaho households; elderly/disabled households can apply earlier in the season.
Who qualifies: Income and household rules; limited funds, generally first-come first-served.
How to start: Apply through local Community Action Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Cost Reduction
Weatherization Assistance Program
Offsets household costHelps pay for: No-cost qualifying energy-efficiency improvements can reduce utility costs and improve home comfort/safety.
Who qualifies: Idaho residency, income and dwelling eligibility; other rules apply.
How to start: Apply through local Community Action Agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax Relief
Idaho Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Can reduce qualifying homeowners property taxes by $250 to $1,500 on the home and up to one acre, preserving funds for care.
Who qualifies: 2026 rules include qualifying age/disability/status and 2025 income after allowed medical deductions of $39,130 or less; annual application deadline applies.
How to start: Apply through county assessor/Tax Commission during filing period.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Idaho Property Tax Deferral
Offsets current household costHelps pay for: Qualifying homeowners may defer property taxes rather than pay them currently, improving cash flow for care; deferred tax becomes a lien/repayment obligation.
Who qualifies: 2026 income and program conditions; annual filing deadline and repayment rules apply.
How to start: Apply through county assessor.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran Cost Offset
Idaho Disabled Veteran Property Tax Benefit
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Qualifying veterans with 100% service-connected disability or TDIU may receive up to $1,500 property-tax reduction without an income limit.
Who qualifies: Idaho homeowner, qualifying VA disability status and program deadlines/rules.
How to start: Apply with county assessor and current VA documentation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Cost Reduction
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
Offsets medical costHelps pay for: Medicaid can pay Medicare Part A/B premiums and cost sharing for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: 2026 Idaho QMB income/resource limits plus Medicare eligibility.
How to start: Apply through Idaho DHW.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
Offsets medical costHelps pay for: Can pay the Medicare Part B premium for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: 2026 Idaho SLMB income/resource limits and Medicare eligibility.
How to start: Apply through Idaho DHW.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Qualifying Individual (QI)
Offsets medical costHelps pay for: Can pay the Medicare Part B premium for qualifying people with limited income/resources; funding rules apply.
Who qualifies: 2026 Idaho QI income/resource limits and Medicare eligibility.
How to start: Apply through Idaho DHW.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health
Yes - limited skilled home healthHelps pay for: Medicare can cover intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and certain home-health aide care when eligibility requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Homebound/skilled need and other Medicare home-health rules.
How to start: Ask the clinician for a Medicare-certified home-health referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Offsets training costHelps pay for: Medicare may cover caregiver training when needed to help a caregiver safely carry out a beneficiary’s treatment plan.
Who qualifies: Medicare coverage and clinician-determined training need.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician/home-health provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage
Medicare / Dementia
GUIDE Model Dementia Care
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Participating GUIDE organizations can provide dementia care coordination, caregiver support and respite services for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiary with dementia and participating GUIDE provider; model eligibility rules apply.
How to start: Find/ask a participating GUIDE organization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No continuous caregiver wage
Prescription Cost Reduction
Medicare Part D Extra Help
Offsets household/medical costHelps pay for: Federal Extra Help lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and prescription copays, preserving income for home care.
Who qualifies: Limited income/resources or automatic eligibility through certain assistance programs.
How to start: Apply through Social Security or ask SHIBA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Yes, policy-dependentHelps pay for: A qualifying LTC insurance policy may reimburse covered home care, personal care, respite or other long-term services according to policy terms.
Who qualifies: Policy in force; benefit triggers, elimination period, covered-provider and reimbursement rules apply.
How to start: Review policy and open a claim with the insurer before hiring care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, policy-dependent
Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation Attendant / Home Care
SometimesHelps pay for: For a compensable work injury, workers compensation may pay medically necessary home health or attendant services when authorized.
Who qualifies: Must arise from compensable work injury and be medically/legal authorized.
How to start: Ask the workers compensation insurer/attorney about home-care coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, case-specific
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may pay an authorized community aide to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply.
How to start: Ask VA primary care/social work for assessment and authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to local program rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical need; local VDC availability.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker specifically about Veteran-Directed Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other Aid & Attendance criteria; cash can help pay for care.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA Pension plus Aid & Attendance criteria.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited representative/VSO.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may pay an authorized community aide to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply. Ask VA primary care/social work for assessment and authorization.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to local program rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical need; VDC must be available locally. Ask the VA social worker specifically about Veteran-Directed Care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care (VDC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Skilled Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: VA may purchase skilled nursing, therapy and related home-health services from authorized community providers.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility and authorization/local provider availability. Ask the VA care team for skilled home-health assessment/referral.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Skilled Home Health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: VA may arrange in-home, adult-day or nursing-home respite to give an eligible caregiver a break.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA enrollment and local availability; authorization may apply. Ask the caregiver support coordinator/social worker.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Aid & Attendance
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities, are bedridden, have severe visual impairment or meet nursing-home criteria.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for VA Pension and meet Aid & Attendance criteria. Apply through VA or an accredited representative/VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Aid & Attendance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct caregiver stipendHelps pay for: May pay an approved primary family caregiver a monthly stipend and provide training, counseling, respite and other supports.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet PCAFC eligibility and complete VA assessment/enrollment. Apply jointly through VA Caregiver Support.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Community Care Network - Region 4
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care can include home health and other approved services. Idaho 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; do not assume reimbursement after private hire.
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
VA Pension
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Monthly needs-based pension for qualifying wartime Veterans with limited income/net worth; pension cash can help fund care.
Who qualifies: Wartime service, age/disability, discharge, income/net-worth and other VA pension rules apply. Apply through VA or an accredited VSO.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: VA HISA grants may pay for medically necessary home changes that improve access to essential areas or permit treatment at home.
Who qualifies: Eligibility, medical justification, lifetime limit and project requirements apply. Ask VA prosthetics/primary care about HISA before construction.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Adult Day Health Care
Offsets care cost / day careHelps pay for: VA may provide or purchase adult day health services, including supervision, activities and health-related care, reducing in-home caregiver hours.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need and local availability/authorization. Ask the VA social worker or geriatric care team.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Hospice & Palliative Care
Yes - hospice/palliativeHelps pay for: VA can provide or purchase hospice/palliative services, including symptom management and caregiver support in the home or other settings.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical criteria and care-team authorization. Ask VA physician/social worker for palliative or hospice evaluation.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Hospice & Palliative Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
Support / respite navigationHelps pay for: Provides education, coaching, peer support, respite/navigation and other support for family caregivers of enrolled Veterans without requiring PCAFC stipend eligibility.
Who qualifies: Caregiver supports an eligible Veteran enrolled in VA health care; specific services vary. Contact VA Caregiver Support.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct stipend
Where Idaho Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Medicaid eligibility, AABD cash, SNAP, LIHEAP and application help
Idaho DHW Self-Reliance
A&D Waiver and Personal Care Services assessment/provider questions
Bureau of Long Term Care (BLTC)
Older-adult services, ADRC navigation, caregiver support, meals, homemaker, chore and transportation
Idaho Commission on Aging / AAAs
Adult DD waiver, traditional services and My Voice, My Choice self-direction
Idaho Adult Developmental Disabilities
Children DD eligibility, respite, Family-Directed Support Services and planning
Children’s Developmental Disabilities
Transition from institution to qualified community residence
Idaho Home Choice
Free Medicare counseling, Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program guidance
Idaho SHIBA
Schedule transportation to Medicaid-covered medical services
Medicaid NEMT / MTM
Property Tax Reduction, Deferral and disabled-veteran benefit
Idaho State Tax Commission
Veterans advocacy and help with state/federal benefits
Idaho Division of Veterans Services
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
A&D Waiver is the central older-adult/physical-disability HCBS route
The A&D waiver can authorize attendant care, homemaker, chore, companion, respite, meals, PERS, modifications, equipment, transportation, adult day health and skilled nursing based on assessed need.
Idaho ended Family Personal Care Services in 2025
The FPCS pathway that paid a parent of a minor child or spouse for PCS/attendant care terminated July 15, 2025. Legally responsible individuals are no longer allowed to be the paid caregiver under that route.
My Voice, My Choice is the strongest adult DD self-direction option
DD waiver participants who choose self-direction manage an individualized budget, build a support/spending plan, and hire/manage Community Support Workers, including people they know subject to worker requirements.
Children DD has a separate Family-Directed Supports option
Parents can direct an individualized budget, design supports and hire workers they know, but the family should verify whether a specific relative can be the paid worker before services begin.
Idaho Home Choice is transition support, not a permanent separate waiver
Eligible institutional residents can receive transition management and up to $2,000 in approved setup/moving costs, while ongoing services generally come through the A&D or DD waiver and Medicaid state plan.
2026 HCBS financial limits should be checked before assuming ineligibility
Idaho lists a 2026 HCBS monthly income limit of $3,002 for an individual with a $2,000 resource limit; spousal and other eligibility rules can materially change the result.
Dual-eligible members have MMCP and IMPlus choices
Adults 21+ with Medicare A/B/D and Medicaid Enhanced benefits can receive care coordination through Idaho’s duals programs; the plan may manage authorizations for A&D/PCS services.
AAA services are locally funded and availability varies
Homemaker, chore, respite, meals and transportation can be valuable non-Medicaid supports, but local assessment, priority criteria, funding and waitlists differ by Area Agency on Aging.
Idaho property-tax relief has strict annual deadlines
The Property Tax Reduction program can reduce taxes by up to $1,500 for qualifying homeowners, while the deferral program postpones payment and creates a repayment obligation. Apply through the county assessor within the filing window.
Medicare is not a general custodial home-care benefit
Medicare home health is limited by skilled/intermittent eligibility rules. Caregiver training and GUIDE dementia supports can help, but long-term custodial care usually requires Medicaid, VA, insurance or private resources.
VA Community Care authorization should come before private hiring
Idaho is in VA CCN Region 4, administered by TriWest. Veterans generally need VA referral/authorization for routine community care; do not assume VA will reimburse a privately hired agency afterward.
Idaho home-care prices vary materially by market and schedule
CareScout reports a 2025 Idaho median of $88,088 per year for 44 hours/week of non-medical caregiving. Actual agency rates, overnight care and rural availability can differ significantly.
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 Idaho to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Idaho
These providers serve families in Idaho and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
