How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Illinois
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Illinois-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. Illinois's strongest state-specific pathways include the Community Care Program, the Home Services Program, the Persons who are Elderly Medicaid Waiver, PACE, and Pathways to Community Living, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Illinois veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Illinois Aging / HCBS
Community Care Program (CCP)
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: State program helping older adults remain at home through care coordination, in-home service, adult day service, emergency home response and automated medication dispensing.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+; Illinois resident; assessed need/risk of nursing-home placement and current financial/program rules apply.
How to start: Call the Senior HelpLine or local Care Coordination Unit (CCU) for screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes - family can be hired through an agency.
Illinois Aging / In-Home Services
CCP In-Home Service
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Home care aides can help with cleaning, meal planning/preparation, laundry, shopping/errands and personal care such as dressing, bathing and grooming.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for CCP and have in-home service authorized in the plan of care.
How to start: Ask the CCU to assess for CCP In-Home Service.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, if hired/supervised by a participating agency.
Illinois Aging / Paid Family Caregiver
CCP Family Member or Spouse as Home Care Aide
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: A participating In-Home Services agency may hire a qualifying family member, including a spouse, POA, representative payee, legal guardian, friend or neighbor to provide authorized CCP care.
Who qualifies: Worker must meet qualifications, pass a background check, complete 24 hours of pre-service training and be hired/supervised by the agency.
How to start: Contact the local CCU and an approved In-Home Services agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - including spouse, subject to agency rules.
Illinois Aging / Adult Day
CCP Adult Day Service
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Daytime direct care, supervision, personal attention, activities and health-related supports can reduce the need for paid in-home hours and provide caregiver respite.
Who qualifies: CCP eligibility, assessed need and local provider availability apply.
How to start: Ask the CCU about Adult Day Service.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Safety
CCP Emergency Home Response Service
Offsets care costHelps pay for: 24-hour emergency communication link; optional fall detection and/or GPS may be available, supporting safer independent living.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for CCP and have documented health/safety and mobility needs.
How to start: Ask the CCU about EHRS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Medication Support
CCP Automated Medication Dispenser
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Portable system can dispense or remind about medication, track missed doses, alert caregivers and provide technical assistance.
Who qualifies: CCP eligibility and plan authorization apply.
How to start: Ask the CCU whether AMD service fits the care plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Medicaid / Elderly Waiver
Persons who are Elderly Waiver
Yes / supports community livingHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS component of CCP for older adults who would otherwise require nursing-facility care; covers CCP waiver services.
Who qualifies: Age 60+; Medicaid eligible; Illinois resident; nursing-facility risk measured by DON; community plan must be safe and cost-effective.
How to start: Call Senior HelpLine/CCU; MCO members may also contact their care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family payment possible through CCP agency rules.
Illinois Medicaid / Disability HCBS
Home Services Program - Persons with Disabilities Waiver
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Broad HCBS waiver for people with severe disabilities who would otherwise require nursing-facility care.
Who qualifies: Generally under age 60 at application; Medicaid/HBWD eligibility; severe long-term disability; nursing-facility risk; safe/cost-effective community plan.
How to start: Contact DHS-DRS local office or submit a Rehabilitation Services referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for some service models.
Illinois Medicaid / Self-Direction
HSP Individual Provider / Personal Assistant
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Customer-selected Personal Assistant can perform household tasks, personal care and, with physician permission, certain health-care procedures.
Who qualifies: HSP/waiver eligibility; customer selects, employs and supervises the individual provider; authorized hours/tasks apply.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS about the Individual Provider/PA model.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - customer may select a relative/friend subject to HSP rules.
Illinois Medicaid / HSP
HSP Homemaker Services
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Trained homecare aide provides household activities, meal preparation, routine household care and personal care for customers unable to manage these tasks.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility and service authorization; family/friend must meet qualifications, background check/training and agency supervision requirements.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS about homemaker service.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family/friend may work through provider agency.
HSP Home Health Aide / Maintenance Home Health
Yes - skilled/supportive careHelps pay for: Can support exercise/movement, personal care, health-related household tasks and medication assistance; maintenance home health can include nursing and therapies under a treatment plan.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility; clinical/treatment-plan and waiver authorization requirements apply.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS and the treating clinician about home-health services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally provider-based.
HSP Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Ready-to-eat meals delivered to customers who can feed themselves but cannot prepare meals.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility, assessed need and plan authorization apply.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS to assess meal support.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
HSP Personal Emergency Response System
Offsets care costHelps pay for: 24-hour emergency communication link based on health, safety and mobility limitations.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility and plan authorization; assessed health/safety need.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS about PERS/electronic home response.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
HSP Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Temporary relief for unpaid family or primary caregivers; may be delivered through personal assistant, homemaker, nurse or adult day care.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility; respite is for an unpaid caregiver currently meeting the customer’s needs; current waiver page states a maximum of 240 hours per year.
How to start: Request respite through DHS-DRS and the plan of care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage to the primary unpaid caregiver.
HSP Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Physical home modifications can accommodate functional loss in completing activities of daily living and reduce dependence on hands-on assistance.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility; modification must be allowable, assessed and authorized in the care plan.
How to start: Discuss accessibility barriers with DHS-DRS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
HSP Specialized Medical Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover approved devices, controls, appliances and certain medical equipment/supplies not otherwise available under the State Plan that improve ADL function or safety.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility; item must be specified in the plan of care and meet waiver requirements.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS about specialized equipment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
HSP Nursing, Intermittent Nursing & Extended Therapy
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Can provide nursing, wellness/assessment visits and extended PT/OT/speech therapy when waiver criteria are met.
Who qualifies: HSP eligibility, clinical need and plan authorization; extended therapy is generally used when State Plan coverage is no longer available but long-term habilitative need continues.
How to start: Ask DHS-DRS and treating clinicians to assess skilled services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Medicaid / Brain Injury
Persons with Brain Injury Waiver
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Home Services Program waiver for people with brain injury who would otherwise require nursing-facility care; can provide individualized home/community supports.
Who qualifies: Illinois residency, Medicaid/HBWD and waiver-specific clinical/functional criteria apply.
How to start: Contact DHS-DRS for BI waiver screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through eligible HSP service models.
Illinois Medicaid / HIV-AIDS
Persons with HIV or AIDS Waiver
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Home Services Program waiver providing individualized supports at home for qualifying people with HIV/AIDS who would otherwise require nursing-facility care.
Who qualifies: Illinois residency, Medicaid/HBWD and waiver-specific eligibility/level-of-care criteria apply.
How to start: Contact DHS-DRS for HIV/AIDS waiver screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through eligible HSP service models.
Illinois Medicaid / Complex Pediatric-Adult
Medically Fragile / Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver
Yes - skilled/personal careHelps pay for: Provides intensive home/community services for medically fragile or technology-dependent individuals who meet hospital/skilled-nursing level-of-care criteria; the program can continue into adulthood.
Who qualifies: Waiver-specific medical/level-of-care, Medicaid and service-plan requirements apply.
How to start: Contact HFS/DSCC care coordination for MFTD waiver screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Case-specific.
Illinois Medicaid / Paid Family Caregiver
MFTD Paid Legally Responsible CNA (Age 21+)
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Effective May 20, 2026, a legally responsible individual who is a certified CNA may provide and be paid for CNA services for an MFTD waiver participant age 21 or older when requirements are met.
Who qualifies: MFTD participant age 21+; legally responsible individual must be CNA-certified and comply with waiver/provider and authorization requirements.
How to start: Ask the participant’s MFTD care coordinator about paid LRI CNA services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - qualifying legally responsible CNA.
Illinois Medicaid / Developmental Disabilities
DDD Personal Support Worker / Adult DD Waiver
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Adults with developmental disabilities may receive in-home/community supports; Personal Support Workers can be selected, employed and supervised by the individual with FMS support.
Who qualifies: Medicaid and Adult DD waiver eligibility; ICF/IID risk/level-of-care and service-plan requirements; worker qualifications apply.
How to start: Contact an Independent Service Coordination agency / DD Helpline.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family/friend may qualify subject to rules.
Illinois Medicaid / Medical
Illinois Medicaid Home Health / Skilled Care
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Medicaid may cover medically necessary home health, skilled nursing, therapy and related services under State Plan/managed-care rules.
Who qualifies: Illinois Medicaid eligibility, medical necessity, provider enrollment and authorization requirements apply.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and Medicaid plan/HFS about home-health coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Medicaid / Integrated Care
PACE
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly coordinates comprehensive medical care and long-term services/supports across the PACE center, home and other settings.
Who qualifies: Generally age 55+; nursing-facility level of care; live in a PACE service area; able to live safely in community; program/payer rules apply.
How to start: Check ZIP code and contact a designated Illinois PACE organization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct cash.
Illinois Medicaid / Transition
Pathways to Community Living / Money Follows the Person
Offsets care cost / enables home careHelps pay for: Helps eligible individuals transition from nursing facilities or other institutions to qualified home/community settings with person-centered services and transition support.
Who qualifies: Medicaid and institutional-stay/transition criteria apply; individual assessment required.
How to start: Ask facility staff, care coordinator or HFS about Pathways/MFP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Caregiver Support
Illinois Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Provides information, service access assistance, counseling/support/training, respite and limited supplemental services for eligible family caregivers.
Who qualifies: Caregiver/care-recipient eligibility under Older Americans Act rules; local service availability and funding vary.
How to start: Contact local Caregiver Resource Center, AAA or Senior HelpLine.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage.
Family & Caregiver Resource Centers
Navigation / may lead to funded careHelps pay for: Local caregiver resource centers connect families with respite, adult day, counseling, support groups, training, meals, transportation and other services.
Who qualifies: Eligibility varies by service and county; local funding/provider availability applies.
How to start: Use the IDoA resource-center directory or Senior HelpLine.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific.
Illinois Aging / AAA Services
Area Agencies on Aging Supportive Services
Partial / subsidized / navigationHelps pay for: Illinois’ 13 AAAs fund or connect older adults to caregiver supports, homemaker/chore services, home modification, transportation, case management, legal help, nutrition and more.
Who qualifies: Generally focused on adults 60+ and caregivers; program-specific eligibility, priority and local funding apply.
How to start: Call Senior HelpLine or use the IDoA service locator to find the local AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific.
Illinois Aging / Assistive Technology
Illinois Care Connections (ICC)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Provides technology and assistive devices at no cost to eligible older adults living in the community to enhance independence, safety and well-being.
Who qualifies: Age 60+; must be referred by an approved Aging Network source such as AAA, CCU, ADS, APS or Home Care Ombudsman.
How to start: Ask an approved referral source to submit an ICC referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Nutrition
Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Nutrition providers funded through AAAs deliver nutritious meals to eligible older adults, reducing food expense and meal-preparation burden.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+; local eligibility/priority and availability apply.
How to start: Contact local AAA or nutrition provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Congregate Dining
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Group dining at senior centers and other community sites can reduce food costs and provide social connection and wellness support.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+; local program rules and availability apply.
How to start: Contact local AAA/nutrition provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Transportation
Transportation Services for Older Adults
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Local aging-network transportation can help older adults reach health care, nutrition, social services, stores and other essential destinations, reducing caregiver driving burden.
Who qualifies: Local eligibility, geography, trip purpose and funding vary.
How to start: Contact the local AAA through Senior HelpLine/service locator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Aging / Cost Reduction
Benefit Access Program - Ride Free Transit & License Plate Discount
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities may receive ride-free transit and a Secretary of State license-plate discount, preserving household cash for care.
Who qualifies: Illinois residency plus age/disability and household-income requirements; application is online and benefits last two years when approved.
How to start: Apply online or ask Senior HelpLine/AAA for assistance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Medicare
Medicare Home Health
Yes - skilled/limited aideHelps pay for: Original Medicare can cover qualifying intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and limited home health aide services when Medicare conditions are met.
Who qualifies: Homebound; skilled need; clinician order/plan of care; Medicare-certified home health agency.
How to start: Ask the clinician for a Medicare home-health evaluation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Caregiver Training Services
Offsets training costHelps pay for: Medicare Part B may cover training for a caregiver when a practitioner determines it is needed for the patient’s treatment plan.
Who qualifies: Must meet Medicare medical-necessity and coverage requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating practitioner whether caregiver training can be ordered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Medicare / Dementia
Medicare GUIDE Model
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Participating dementia-care organizations provide navigation, caregiver support and qualifying respite for eligible Original Medicare beneficiaries with dementia.
Who qualifies: Original Medicare Parts A/B; dementia; other CMS eligibility rules; must be served by a participating GUIDE organization.
How to start: Find a GUIDE participant serving the ZIP code or call Medicare.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct stipend.
Medicare Advantage
Supplemental In-Home Benefits
Sometimes / limitedHelps pay for: Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited in-home supports, meals, transportation or caregiver-related benefits beyond Original Medicare.
Who qualifies: Plan-specific and year-specific; authorization/network rules apply.
How to start: Review the current Evidence of Coverage and call the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no.
Illinois Medicare Counseling
Illinois SHIP
Offsets health costsHelps pay for: Free, unbiased counseling can help identify Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Extra Help and Medicare Savings options that reduce health costs and preserve money for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare beneficiaries, people approaching Medicare and caregivers can use the service.
How to start: Call Illinois SHIP for one-on-one counseling.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Medicare / Medicaid Cost Sharing
Medicare Savings Programs
Offsets health costsHelps pay for: For qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid programs may help pay Medicare premiums and sometimes cost sharing, freeing income for home care.
Who qualifies: Income/resource limits and category rules apply.
How to start: Apply through Illinois ABE/HFS and ask Illinois SHIP for screening help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Medicare / Prescription Costs
Extra Help (Part D LIS)
Offsets medication costsHelps pay for: Federal Extra Help can reduce Medicare Part D premiums and prescription cost sharing, preserving income for care.
Who qualifies: Income/resource eligibility under Social Security/Medicare rules.
How to start: Apply through Social Security or ask Illinois SHIP for help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Insurance
Traditional Long-Term Care Insurance
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Existing policies may reimburse or pay a daily/monthly benefit for qualifying home care after benefit triggers and elimination periods are met.
Who qualifies: Policy terms, ADL/cognitive trigger, elimination period and approved-provider rules apply.
How to start: Request the full policy and open a claim with the insurer.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes, policy-specific.
Hybrid Life + Long-Term Care Policy
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Combination policies may accelerate a death benefit or provide a separate LTC pool for qualifying home-care expenses.
Who qualifies: Must own a qualifying policy and meet its benefit trigger.
How to start: Request an in-force illustration and benefits explanation from the carrier.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Policy-specific.
Insurance / Life
Accelerated Death Benefit / Chronic Illness Rider
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Some life policies allow early access to death benefits for terminal/chronic illness and may provide cash that can be used for care.
Who qualifies: Policy-specific diagnosis/ADL rules and limits apply.
How to start: Ask the life insurer for rider and accelerated-benefit terms.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly.
Private Pay
Savings / Retirement Income
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Social Security, pensions, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, savings and investments can be used directly for home care.
Who qualifies: No program eligibility, but tax and retirement-sustainability consequences should be considered.
How to start: Build a monthly care budget and compare agency/direct-hire options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes.
Direct-Hire Caregiver
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Hiring a caregiver directly may reduce hourly cost, but the household may become the employer and owe payroll/tax/insurance obligations.
Who qualifies: Household-employer classification, wage/overtime, workers compensation and tax rules may apply.
How to start: Use a written agreement and payroll process; consult tax/legal help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes.
Private Pay / Family
Family Care Agreement
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: A care recipient can privately compensate a relative under a properly documented personal-care agreement.
Who qualifies: Agreement should be prospective, reasonable and documented; Medicaid transfer rules may matter later.
How to start: Consult an elder-law attorney before significant family payments if Medicaid may be needed.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes.
Financial Planning
Annuity Income
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: An annuity may convert assets into a predictable income stream that can be used for home-care bills.
Who qualifies: Product liquidity, fees, tax treatment and Medicaid consequences vary.
How to start: Review with a fiduciary adviser and elder-law attorney when Medicaid planning matters.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly.
Home Equity
Home Equity Loan / HELOC
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Homeowners may borrow against equity to pay current care costs.
Who qualifies: Requires sufficient equity, underwriting and ability to carry debt; variable rates may apply.
How to start: Compare lender terms and assess long-term affordability.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly.
HECM Reverse Mortgage
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Eligible homeowners age 62+ may access home equity without traditional monthly principal-and-interest payments, subject to occupancy, tax, insurance and maintenance obligations.
Who qualifies: HECM age/property/equity and counseling requirements; loan balance grows over time.
How to start: Speak with a HUD-approved reverse-mortgage counselor before signing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly.
Tax Strategy
Medical Expense Deduction
Tax offsetHelps pay for: Certain qualified long-term-care or nursing-type expenses may count as itemized medical expenses when IRS requirements are met.
Who qualifies: Qualified care, documentation and AGI threshold rules apply; ordinary household help is not automatically deductible.
How to start: Keep care plans, invoices and task breakdowns; consult tax adviser.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Tax-free funds / indirectHelps pay for: Existing HSA funds can be used tax-free for qualifying medical expenses and certain qualified long-term-care expenses/premiums.
Who qualifies: Expense must be HSA-qualified and not otherwise reimbursed.
How to start: Review HSA rules before paying home-care invoices.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
Tax offsetHelps pay for: An employed taxpayer may qualify for a credit for care of a spouse or qualifying dependent who is incapable of self-care when the expense enables work or job search.
Who qualifies: Dependency, work-related expense, provider and other IRS rules apply.
How to start: Review Form 2441 requirements with a tax professional.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Food Assistance
SNAP
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Monthly food assistance can reduce grocery spending and preserve household income for home care, medications and other needs.
Who qualifies: Household income and other SNAP eligibility rules apply.
How to start: Apply through Illinois ABE or a local Family Community Resource Center.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Energy Assistance
LIHEAP / Utility Bill Assistance
Offsets household costHelps pay for: LIHEAP and related low-income utility programs can reduce home-energy costs and help prevent disconnection, preserving income for care.
Who qualifies: Income, household, utility and program-year/funding requirements apply.
How to start: Apply through a local administering agency / Help Illinois Families.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Property Tax / Cost Offset
Senior Homestead & Assessment Freeze Exemptions
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Qualifying older homeowners may receive the Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption and, when income rules are met, the Low-income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze, reducing property-tax burden.
Who qualifies: Generally age 65+; ownership/occupancy and county filing rules apply. The 2026 assessment-freeze household-income limit is $75,000.
How to start: Contact the Chief County Assessment Office and file required PTAX forms.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Illinois Property Tax / Cash Flow
Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral
Offsets household cost / preserves cashHelps pay for: Qualified seniors may defer all or part of property taxes/special assessments on a principal residence; the State pays the bill and records a lien, with interest.
Who qualifies: Age 65+ by June 1; 2026 tax-year household income no more than $77,000; ownership/occupancy/equity and other rules apply. Maximum annual deferral is $7,500.
How to start: Apply annually through the county collector by the required deadline.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation Medical / Home Care
Conditional home-care payerHelps pay for: For a compensable work injury, workers-compensation medical benefits may cover medically necessary home health, attendant or related services when properly authorized.
Who qualifies: Must arise from a compensable work injury and be medically/legal authorized under Illinois workers-comp rules.
How to start: Ask the employer/insurer and treating provider; consult counsel for disputed claims.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Case-specific.
Cost Reduction
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Paid part-time community-service training can provide income for eligible unemployed low-income adults age 55+, helping offset household and care costs.
Who qualifies: Age 55+, unemployed, low income and other program/priority rules apply; slot availability varies.
How to start: Contact Illinois Department on Aging / local SCSEP provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
Direct home-care payerHelps 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 the VA social worker or primary care team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Veteran-Directed Care
Direct home-care payerHelps pay for: Provides a flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to program rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical criteria; local program availability.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker whether VDC is available locally.
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 community providers for eligible Veterans.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility and authorization/local availability.
How to start: Ask the VA care team for skilled home-health assessment/referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
VA Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: VA may pay for in-home, adult-day or nursing-home respite for eligible Veterans when caregivers need a break.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, enrollment, availability; community-care eligibility for community providers.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker/caregiver support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly VA pension payment for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other criteria; cash can be used toward care.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension plus Aid & Attendance criteria; medical and financial rules apply.
How to start: Use VA or an accredited representative to apply.
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 respite, training, counseling and other supports.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet PCAFC eligibility and complete VA assessment/enrollment.
How to start: Apply jointly through VA Caregiver Support.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes.
VA Community Care Network - Region 2
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care can include home health and other approved services. Illinois is in CCN Region 2, administered by Optum.
Who qualifies: VA referral/authorization and community-care eligibility generally apply.
How to start: Obtain VA authorization before routine community care; do not assume reimbursement after private hire.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No.
Where Illinois Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Screen for Community Care Program, Elderly Waiver, local AAA services, caregiver supports and aging resources
Illinois Senior HelpLine / CCU
Screen for HSP disability waivers, Personal Assistant, homemaker, respite, meals, PERS, equipment, modifications and nursing
DHS-DRS Home Services Program
Illinois Medicaid medical-benefit questions and coverage navigation
HFS Health Benefits Hotline
Apply for Medicaid/medical benefits, SNAP and cash assistance
Illinois ABE
Integrated medical + LTSS for qualifying adults 55+ in participating regions
Illinois PACE
Transition from nursing facility/institution to a qualified home/community setting
Pathways to Community Living / MFP
Free Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicare Savings and Extra Help counseling
Illinois SHIP
Respite, counseling, support groups, training, service navigation and limited supplemental supports
Family Caregiver Support / Resource Centers
Assistive technology/devices for eligible older adults; referral must come through an approved Aging Network source
Illinois Care Connections
Utility-bill assistance and related low-income energy supports
LIHEAP / Help Illinois Families
Connect to local VA caregiver and home/community services
VA Caregiver Support Line
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Start with the right Illinois doorway
For adults 60+, call the Senior HelpLine/CCU at 800-252-8966. For many adults with severe disabilities under 60, contact DHS-DRS Home Services Program at 877-581-3690.
CCP can pay a family member - even a spouse
Illinois explicitly allows a CCP In-Home Services agency to hire a qualifying family member, including a spouse, POA, representative payee or legal guardian, if worker training, background and agency requirements are met.
HSP Personal Assistants are consumer-selected
Under the Home Services Program, Individual Providers/Personal Assistants are selected, employed and supervised by the customer, creating another pathway for eligible relatives or friends to provide paid care subject to program rules.
HSP is broader than just personal care
The Persons with Disabilities waiver includes PA/individual provider, homemaker, adult day, home modifications, equipment, home-delivered meals, PERS, respite, nursing, home health aide and extended therapies.
HSP respite has a stated annual cap
The current Illinois Persons with Disabilities waiver page states respite is available for a maximum of 240 hours per year; care plans and waiver rules should be verified before relying on that amount.
Three DRS waivers are being merged
HFS and DHS-DRS are working to combine the Persons with Disabilities, HIV/AIDS and Brain Injury waivers into one waiver. Names/processes may change as implementation proceeds, so verify current instructions.
MFTD has a new paid-family pathway
Effective May 20, 2026, qualifying legally responsible individuals who are CNAs can be paid for CNA services for MFTD waiver participants age 21+ when waiver and authorization requirements are satisfied.
PACE is geographic
Illinois PACE is currently organized around five regions: West Chicago, South Chicago, Southern Cook County, Peoria and East St. Louis. Verify that the person’s ZIP code is served before planning around PACE.
Elderly waiver renewal is changing
Illinois has a proposed Persons who are Elderly waiver renewal effective October 1, 2026. Families planning services across that date should re-check eligibility, benefits and managed-care procedures.
Caregiver Support is usually respite/support, not salary
The Illinois Family Caregiver Support Program can provide respite, counseling, training and limited supplemental services, but it is not a continuous caregiver wage program.
Do not confuse Medicare with custodial long-term care
Original Medicare may cover qualifying intermittent skilled home health and limited aide care tied to a skilled need, but it does not generally pay for ongoing custodial personal care when that is the only need.
VA CCN requires authorization
Illinois is VA Community Care Network Region 2, administered by Optum. Obtain VA referral/authorization before routine community care rather than assuming a private hire will be reimbursed.
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 Illinois to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Illinois
These providers serve families in Illinois and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
AW Health Care – Maryville, IL
Serving Illinois
AW Health Care provides home care services in Maryville, IL and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Maryville
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Companion Services of America – Deerfield, IL
Serving Illinois
Companion Services of America provides home care services in Deerfield, IL and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield and surrounding areas
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Knollwood Retirement Community
Serving Illinois
Knollwood Retirement Community is a Supportive Living community in Caseyville, IL, offering private apartments with personal care, meals, and on-site staffing for older adults across the Metro East and southern Illinois.
Services Available
Supportive Living
Communities Served
Caseyville, Millstadt, Glen Carbon and surrounding areas
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Platinum Care Group
Serving Illinois
Platinum Care Group provides home care services in Carol Stream, IL and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Arlington Heights, Carol Stream, Chicago and surrounding areas
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Private Home Care (Live)
Serving Illinois
Private Home Care (Live) provides home care services in Niles, IL and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Glenview, Northbrook, Skokie and surrounding areas
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