How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Kansas
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Kansas-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. Kansas's strongest state-specific pathways include the Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver with self-direction, the Physical Disability (PD) Waiver, Working Healthy and WORK for working people with disabilities, the Senior Care Act and Aging Network, PACE in participating service areas, and various cost-offset programs, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Kansas veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Kansas Medicaid / FE
Frail Elderly (FE) HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS alternative to nursing-home care for eligible Kansas seniors, with personal care, adult day, enhanced care, home supports and other services.
Who qualifies: Age 65+, Medicaid financial eligibility and nursing-facility threshold score; an approved person-centered plan is required.
How to start: Start with the Kansas ADRC for options counseling and referral to the statewide assessing organization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; self-directed attendants may include eligible relatives
FE Personal Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on help with bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, mobility and other approved daily needs in the home.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment, assessed need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the MCO care coordinator to assess Personal Care Services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for qualifying relatives under self-direction; exclusions apply
FE Enhanced Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Additional in-home support for eligible FE participants with needs that exceed ordinary personal-care service patterns.
Who qualifies: FE waiver enrollment, assessed need and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator whether Enhanced Care Services fit the assessed needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: May be self-directed only if current waiver/service rules permit
FE Adult Day Care + Comprehensive Support
Offsets home-care needHelps pay for: Daytime supervision/support and comprehensive support can reduce the amount of private in-home coverage needed during the day.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment, assessed need and authorized provider/service.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about adult day care and comprehensive support.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
FE Home / Environmental + Vehicle Modifications and Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Approved accessibility changes, vehicle adaptations and specialized medical equipment can reduce caregiver lifting, transfer and supervision burden.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment, assessed need and prior authorization; items must meet waiver criteria.
How to start: Request an assessment before purchasing or modifying anything.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
FE PERS, Home Telehealth and Medication Reminder
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Emergency response, remote monitoring and medication reminders can support safer independent time at home.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator which technology supports are covered.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
FE Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Authorized meal delivery can reduce caregiver meal-preparation time and support continued community living.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about home-delivered meals.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / Self-Direction
FE Self-Directed Attendant Care
YesHelps pay for: Lets eligible FE participants choose, hire, train and manage their attendant with Financial Management Services support.
Who qualifies: FE enrollment, authorized attendant care, self-direction election and FMS enrollment. Kansas specifically excludes a spouse or a person appointed to represent the participant.
How to start: Tell the MCO care coordinator you want to self-direct attendant care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family may be hired except spouse or representative/guardian-type roles
PD Self-Directed Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Eligible PD participants can choose and manage personal assistants instead of relying only on an agency model.
Who qualifies: PD enrollment, authorized PCS, self-direction election and FMS requirements.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator for self-direction and an FMS provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - qualifying family/friends may be workers; spouse/representative restrictions should be verified
BI Self-Directed PCS / Enhanced Care
YesHelps pay for: Kansas allows self-direction for selected BI services, giving participants control over hiring, scheduling and managing workers.
Who qualifies: BI enrollment, authorized self-directed service, FMS enrollment and worker requirements.
How to start: Tell the care coordinator you want to self-direct eligible BI services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - qualifying relatives/friends may be hired subject to program rules
Kansas Medicaid / PD
Physical Disability (PD) HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for eligible Kansans ages 16-64 with physical disabilities who meet nursing-facility level of care.
Who qualifies: Age 16-64, SSA disability determination, need for ADL help, Medicaid eligibility and nursing-facility threshold score.
How to start: Contact the ADRC for screening and referral to the statewide assessing organization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; self-directed workers may include qualifying relatives
PD Personal Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Personal assistance with ADLs and related daily tasks in the home.
Who qualifies: PD enrollment, assessed need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the MCO care coordinator to authorize Personal Care Services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for qualifying self-directed workers; verify relationship exclusions
PD Enhanced Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Additional authorized support for qualifying PD participants with intensive needs.
Who qualifies: PD enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Discuss Enhanced Care Services with the MCO care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific
PD Home / Vehicle Modifications + Specialized Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Accessibility changes and equipment can reduce paid-care hours and out-of-pocket disability-related costs.
Who qualifies: PD enrollment, assessed need and prior authorization.
How to start: Request approval before purchasing equipment or beginning modifications.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
PD Meals, Medication Reminder and PERS
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Home-delivered meals, medication reminders and personal emergency response can support safer time at home with less hands-on supervision.
Who qualifies: PD enrollment and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the MCO care coordinator about these supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / BI
Brain Injury (BI) HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Rehabilitation-focused HCBS for people with acquired or traumatic brain injury who need intensive supports to regain or maintain community independence.
Who qualifies: Medically documented qualifying brain injury, functional eligibility, Medicaid eligibility and approved goals/service plan.
How to start: Contact the ADRC for BI screening and assessment referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; self-direction is available for selected services
BI Personal Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on personal assistance in the home while the participant works toward rehabilitation and independent-living goals.
Who qualifies: BI enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about Personal Care Services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes for qualifying self-directed workers; verify exclusions
BI Enhanced Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Additional personal support for eligible BI participants with more intensive needs.
Who qualifies: BI enrollment, assessed need and service authorization.
How to start: Discuss ECS with the care coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially if self-directed and worker is eligible
BI Transitional Living Skills + Rehabilitation Therapies
Support / cost offsetHelps pay for: In-home/community skill-building and therapies can reduce long-term dependence on paid assistance by improving functional independence.
Who qualifies: BI waiver enrollment, rehabilitation goals and authorized services.
How to start: Build these services into the person-centered rehabilitation plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
BI Home Supports Package
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Home/vehicle modifications, specialized equipment, meals, medication reminders and PERS can reduce out-of-pocket care-related spending.
Who qualifies: BI enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator which supports match the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / I/DD
Intellectual / Developmental Disability (I/DD) HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Long-term HCBS for qualifying people age 5+ with intellectual/developmental disabilities who meet ICF-IID level-of-care criteria.
Who qualifies: Age 5+, qualifying ID/DD onset and functional criteria, CDDO program eligibility, Medicaid financial eligibility and waiver availability.
How to start: Contact the local Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Selected self-directed services can use qualifying workers chosen by the participant
I/DD Personal Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Personal assistance and daily-living support authorized under the I/DD waiver.
Who qualifies: I/DD enrollment, assessed need and authorized PCS.
How to start: Ask the case manager/MCO about PCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through self-direction, subject to worker rules
I/DD Enhanced Care + Overnight Respite
Yes / respiteHelps pay for: Enhanced care supports intensive needs, while overnight respite can give unpaid caregivers a longer break.
Who qualifies: I/DD enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Ask the case manager about ECS and overnight respite.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Overnight respite may be self-directed under current I/DD rules
I/DD Residential Supports
Care alternativeHelps pay for: Adult or child residential supports can provide an alternative to purchasing separate private home-care hours when a supported residential arrangement is appropriate.
Who qualifies: I/DD enrollment, assessed residential need and provider/setting requirements.
How to start: Discuss residential support options with the CDDO and case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No standard family wage
I/DD Modifications, Equipment, Vehicle Supports and Medical Alert
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Home/vehicle modifications, specialized equipment and medical-alert services can reduce safety risks and hands-on caregiver burden.
Who qualifies: I/DD enrollment, assessed need and prior authorization.
How to start: Request approval through the person-centered plan before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / I/DD Self-Direction
I/DD Self-Directed PCS
YesHelps pay for: Participants choosing self-direction select and manage their own worker, with FMS handling payroll and related employer supports.
Who qualifies: I/DD enrollment, authorized PCS, self-direction election and FMS enrollment.
How to start: Ask the case manager to set up self-directed PCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - participant chooses worker; verify relationship restrictions
Kansas Medicaid / TA
Technology Assisted (TA) HCBS Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Home-based services for medically fragile children and young adults ages 0-21 who depend on qualifying medical technology and need substantial ongoing care.
Who qualifies: Age 0-21, qualifying medical technology dependency, nursing acuity threshold and Medicaid financial eligibility.
How to start: Contact Family Waiver Care for TA assessment and enrollment help.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Selected self-directed services may use qualifying workers
TA Medical Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Temporary skilled/supportive relief for caregivers of medically fragile children and young adults.
Who qualifies: TA enrollment, assessed need and authorization.
How to start: Ask the care coordinator about Medical Respite.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
TA Specialized / Intermittent Intensive Medical Care
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Specialized medical care and intermittent intensive medical care can replace substantial private-pay skilled care when authorized.
Who qualifies: TA enrollment, medical necessity and service-plan authorization.
How to start: Coordinate with the MCO and treating clinicians.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / TA Self-Direction
TA Personal Care Services + Self-Direction
YesHelps pay for: Personal care for medically fragile participants can be self-directed when the service and participant meet Kansas requirements.
Who qualifies: TA enrollment, authorized PCS, self-direction election and FMS requirements.
How to start: Ask the MCO care coordinator about self-directed PCS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially - qualifying family/friend workers may be used subject to rules
Kansas Medicaid / Autism
Autism (AU) Waiver
Support / respiteHelps pay for: Early-childhood waiver supporting children ages 0-5 with qualifying autism diagnoses so they can remain in the family home.
Who qualifies: Age 0-5, qualifying diagnosis, level-of-care score and Medicaid financial eligibility; services are generally time-limited.
How to start: Submit the Autism waiver application to KDADS and follow the proposed-recipient-list process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Respite can be self-directed
Kansas Medicaid / Autism Self-Direction
Autism Self-Directed Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Authorized respite can be self-directed using Financial Management Services, allowing the family to choose a respite worker under program rules.
Who qualifies: Autism waiver enrollment, respite authorization and FMS/self-direction requirements.
How to start: Ask the MCO about self-directed respite and FMS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially - worker choice under self-direction
Kansas Medicaid / SED
Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Intensive community-based supports for eligible children ages 4-18 at risk of inpatient psychiatric treatment, including attendant care, respite and parent support/training.
Who qualifies: Age 4-18, qualifying mental-health diagnosis and functional thresholds, risk of inpatient treatment and Medicaid financial eligibility.
How to start: Apply through the local Community Mental Health Center.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Service-specific; not a general parent wage
SED Attendant Care
YesHelps pay for: Authorized attendant care can provide hands-on/supervisory support that helps a child remain safely at home and in the community.
Who qualifies: SED waiver enrollment, assessed need and plan authorization.
How to start: Ask the CMHC/MCO to assess Attendant Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Verify current worker/relationship rules with CMHC and MCO
Kansas Medicaid / Working Disabled
Working Healthy
Indirect / preserves MedicaidHelps pay for: Medicaid work-incentive program that lets qualifying people with disabilities work, earn and save more while retaining Medicaid coverage.
Who qualifies: Disability and employment rules apply; monthly premium may apply when net income is between 100% and 300% FPL.
How to start: Ask for a Working Healthy benefits specialist before changing work hours or benefits.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage by itself
WORK Personal Assistance Services
YesHelps pay for: WORK adds personal assistance and employment-related supports for eligible Working Healthy members who meet additional disability/functional criteria.
Who qualifies: Must be eligible for Working Healthy and meet WORK functional criteria. Working Healthy/WORK members cannot simultaneously receive HCBS waiver services.
How to start: Request a WORK assessment and independent living counselor.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes through self-direction, subject to WORK rules
Kansas Medicaid / Employment Supports
STEPS Personal Assistance and Supports
Yes / supportHelps pay for: STEPS can provide personal assistant services, transportation, independent living skills, supported employment and assistive technology for eligible working-age Kansans pursuing employment.
Who qualifies: Kansas resident age 16-65, Medicaid enrollment/application, disability criteria, employment goal and income up to program threshold. HCBS overlap restrictions apply.
How to start: Contact the STEPS program or ask KanCare for referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Self-direction resources are available; verify worker rules
Kansas State / Aging
Senior Care Act (SCA)
YesHelps pay for: State-funded in-home and community services for Kansas residents age 60+ with functional limitations who can remain in the community with support.
Who qualifies: Age 60+, functional threshold and current SCA income/asset guidelines; sliding fee contribution based on ability to pay.
How to start: Apply through the local Area Agency on Aging.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally pays approved services/providers, not a direct family wage
SCA In-Home Services Package
YesHelps pay for: Depending on county funding, SCA may include attendant care, homemaker, chore, respite and adult day care, reducing private-pay home-care expense.
Who qualifies: SCA eligibility, functional assessment, local service availability and sliding fee.
How to start: Ask the AAA assessor which SCA services are funded locally.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage identified in state overview
Older Americans Act / Caregiver
National Family Caregiver Support Program - Kansas
Yes - respite / supportHelps pay for: AAA-delivered caregiver information, access help, counseling/training, respite and limited supplemental services for qualifying family caregivers.
Who qualifies: Caregiver relationship and care-recipient criteria apply; local priorities and funding affect availability.
How to start: Contact the local AAA or Kansas caregiver line.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Kansas Dementia Respite
K-RAD Respite for Alzheimer's & Dementia
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Kansas respite subsidy for qualifying caregivers of a person with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
Who qualifies: Program eligibility applies; funding is first-come, first-served and may subsidize up to $1,000 per care recipient per Kansas fiscal year.
How to start: Apply through the local Area Agency on Aging.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Older Americans Act / Aging Network
AAA / Older Americans Act In-Home and Community Supports
Yes / offsets care costHelps pay for: Local aging programs may provide information, transportation, nutrition, in-home services, caregiver support and other assistance on a free or contribution basis.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+ for many OAA services; caregiver-program rules differ and local availability varies.
How to start: Call the ADRC for a no-wrong-door referral to the local AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Integrated Care
Kansas PACE
YesHelps pay for: All-inclusive medical and long-term care package for eligible adults that includes in-home care, personal care, therapies, transportation and other services.
Who qualifies: Age 55+, nursing-home level of care, able to live safely in the community at enrollment and residence in a Kansas PACE service area.
How to start: Contact Ascension Living HOPE, Midland Care or Bluestem PACE based on county.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Kansas Medicaid / State Plan
KanCare Home Health
Yes - medical home healthHelps pay for: Kansas Medicaid can cover medically necessary home-health services under state-plan and managed-care rules.
Who qualifies: KanCare eligibility, medical necessity, enrolled provider and any authorization/visit rules.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and MCO for a home-health order/referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
KanCare Hospice
Yes - hospice careHelps pay for: Hospice coverage can replace or reduce separately purchased end-of-life home services for eligible KanCare members.
Who qualifies: KanCare eligibility plus hospice clinical/election requirements.
How to start: Ask the clinician/MCO for hospice evaluation and covered providers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Kansas Medicaid / Transportation
KanCare Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Transportation to covered medical appointments can reduce caregiver driving time and out-of-pocket transportation costs.
Who qualifies: KanCare enrollment; scheduling, medical-necessity and trip rules apply.
How to start: Use the member's MCO transportation process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Kansas Medicaid / Financial Eligibility
HCBS Medicaid / Long-Term-Care Financial Eligibility
Yes - via Medicaid eligibilityHelps pay for: Qualifying for Medicaid HCBS can shift substantial home-care costs from private pay to KanCare. Kansas uses long-term-care income/resource and spousal rules distinct from regular Medicaid.
Who qualifies: Functional waiver criteria plus Kansas long-term-care financial eligibility. Current policy generally uses a 300%-of-SSI income framework for HCBS, with spenddown/cost-of-care and spousal rules potentially affecting the result.
How to start: Apply for elderly/disabled Medicaid and request an HCBS long-term-care determination; get qualified advice before transfers or spend-downs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage by itself
Medicare Cost Offset
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / LMB / QI / QDWI as applicable)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can reduce Medicare premiums and, for QMB, certain Medicare cost-sharing, preserving income for home care.
Who qualifies: Medicare entitlement plus Kansas program income/resource rules; program categories have different thresholds.
How to start: Use the Kansas Medicare Savings Program application; SHICK can help screen.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Part D Extra Help
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Federal low-income subsidy reduces Part D premiums, deductibles and copays, freeing household cash for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare plus federal income/resource rules or automatic qualification through certain Medicaid/MSP/SSI statuses.
How to start: Apply through Social Security/Medicare; SHICK can assist.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health Benefit
Yes - limited/skilledHelps pay for: Medicare can cover intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and qualifying home-health aide services when eligibility rules are met. It does not cover long-term custodial care by itself.
Who qualifies: Medicare eligibility, homebound status, need for covered skilled care and Medicare-certified agency requirements.
How to start: Ask the clinician to certify/order home health and select a Medicare-certified agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Support / cost offsetHelps pay for: Medicare can cover certain caregiver training services when medically necessary as part of a beneficiary's treatment plan.
Who qualifies: Covered beneficiary, medical necessity and Medicare billing requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician whether caregiver training can be ordered and billed.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage
Medicare Hospice Benefit
Yes - hospice-relatedHelps pay for: For eligible terminally ill beneficiaries who elect hospice, Medicare can cover hospice-related nursing, aide, social work, equipment, medications and short-term respite.
Who qualifies: Medicare hospice eligibility, certification and election requirements.
How to start: Request a hospice evaluation from a clinician or Medicare-certified hospice.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Medicare Dementia Care
GUIDE Dementia Care Model
May include respite/supportHelps pay for: Participating GUIDE organizations provide dementia care coordination, caregiver support and, for certain beneficiaries, respite services.
Who qualifies: Original Medicare beneficiary with dementia plus model/provider eligibility; local availability depends on participating GUIDE organizations.
How to start: Ask whether a local provider participates in GUIDE and request assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits
Plan-specificHelps pay for: Some MA plans offer in-home support, meals, transportation, caregiver supports or other supplemental benefits beyond Original Medicare; benefits vary by plan and year.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in a plan offering the benefit and meet plan criteria/authorization rules.
How to start: Review the Evidence of Coverage or call the plan before purchasing services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no
Food Cost Offset
Kansas Food Assistance (SNAP)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Food benefits can reduce grocery spending; elderly/disabled households have special medical-expense and shelter deductions that may increase eligibility or benefits.
Who qualifies: Household eligibility rules apply. Kansas allows qualifying elderly/disabled households to deduct certain unreimbursed medical expenses.
How to start: Apply through Kansas DCF and document allowable medical expenses.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Utility Cost Offset
Kansas LIEAP
Offsets care costHelps pay for: One-time seasonal energy benefit can reduce heating costs and preserve cash for care. The 2026 application period is closed as of August 2026.
Who qualifies: Household must be responsible for heating costs and meet seasonal income/program requirements; 2026 used 150% FPL.
How to start: Watch for the next application period or contact DCF.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Cost Offset
Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Free energy-efficiency improvements for eligible homeowners and renters can reduce recurring utility costs and improve home safety.
Who qualifies: Income/property eligibility applies; SSI, TANF or current-year LIEAP receipt can confer categorical income eligibility under current Kansas materials.
How to start: Apply through the county weatherization provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax / Housing Cost Offset
Kansas Homestead Refund (K-40H)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Refund of a portion of property taxes for qualifying Kansas homeowners, preserving cash that can be used for care.
Who qualifies: For 2025 claims filed in 2026: Kansas residency all year, household income at or below $43,389, home value at or below $350,000, plus age/disability/dependent-child criteria. Maximum refund $700.
How to start: Use Kansas WebFile or current Department of Revenue forms; late-claim rules may apply.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
SAFESR Property Tax Relief (K-40PT)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Refund equal to 75% of qualifying property tax for eligible low-income senior homeowners.
Who qualifies: For 2025 claims: age 65+ for the full year, Kansas resident all year, household income at or below $25,380, owned/occupied home, value at or below $350,000.
How to start: Compare against K-40H and K-40SVR and file only the most advantageous eligible refund.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans (K-40SVR)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Refund equal to the increase in homestead property tax over the claimant's base-year amount for eligible seniors, disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses.
Who qualifies: For 2025 claims: Kansas resident all year, household income at or below $58,041, qualifying home ownership/value rules and age 65+, qualifying disabled-veteran status, or eligible surviving spouse.
How to start: Compare all three Kansas homeowner refund programs before filing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Often yesHelps pay for: Existing LTC insurance may reimburse covered home-care, personal-care, respite or related services depending on policy terms and elimination periods.
Who qualifies: Must have an in-force policy and satisfy benefit triggers, elimination period and covered-service/provider rules.
How to start: Request the policy benefit summary and open a claim before assuming a service is reimbursable.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Policy-specific
Home Equity
HECM Reverse Mortgage
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: For eligible homeowners age 62+, a federally insured reverse mortgage can convert home equity to cash that may be used for care, while creating loan costs and reducing remaining equity.
Who qualifies: Age, eligible principal residence, counseling, financial assessment and HUD/FHA loan requirements.
How to start: Complete HUD-approved counseling and compare alternatives before borrowing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Veterans
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Flexible self-directed VA budget for eligible Veterans who need personal care; family members may be hired in many local VDC programs subject to rules.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical criteria and local VDC availability.
How to start: Ask VA Eastern Kansas or Dole VA social work/geriatrics whether VDC is available locally.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly pension for qualifying Veterans or survivors who need help with ADLs or meet other Aid & Attendance criteria; cash can help fund home care.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA pension plus Aid & Attendance medical and financial criteria.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited representative and document care needs/unreimbursed medical expenses as applicable.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Kansas Medicaid / Transition
HCBS Institutional Transition Supports
Offsets transition/care costHelps pay for: Kansas HCBS transition planning can help eligible people move from institutional care back to the community and connect to waiver services and family/self-directed supports.
Who qualifies: Program and waiver eligibility, transition plan and service authorization apply.
How to start: Ask the facility discharge planner, ADRC and MCO about HCBS transition options before discharge.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Selected services may use qualifying family workers
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may authorize community-based aides to help an eligible Veteran with ADLs and selected daily tasks in the home.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply. Ask VA primary care or social work for assessment and 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; the participant can hire workers, including family in many programs, subject to local rules.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran, community-care eligibility, clinical criteria and local VDC availability. Ask Eastern Kansas or Dole VA social work/geriatrics whether VDC serves the Veteran's area.
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 the VA care team for a 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 work or a 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 who need ADL help or meet other Aid & Attendance criteria.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension plus A&A medical/financial criteria. Apply through 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 the VA Caregiver Support Program.
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 2
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care can include home health and other approved services. Kansas is in CCN Region 2, administered by Optum.
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 2.
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 Eastern Kansas or Dole VA primary care/social work 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 Primary Care for Veterans needing substantial assistance; the Veteran generally pays the foster-home caregiver privately.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in HBPC; local program suitability/availability. Medical Foster Home charges are not paid by VA. Ask local VA social work whether Medical Foster Home is available.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Medical Foster Home.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No VA family wage
VA Caregiver Support Program
Support / respite navigationHelps pay for: Coaching, education, peer support, respite navigation and caregiver services; also a gateway to PCAFC screening.
Who qualifies: Veteran/caregiver relationship and program-specific criteria vary. Call the national line or local Kansas caregiver-support team.
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 an accredited representative.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, indirectly
Kansas VA Health Systems / Benefits Navigation
Benefits accessHelps pay for: VA Eastern Kansas and Robert J. Dole VA care teams can connect Kansas Veterans with home-based care, caregiver support, community care and earned benefits.
Who qualifies: Benefit-specific eligibility applies. Call and request social work, caregiver support, geriatrics or community-care navigation.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Kansas VA Health Systems / Benefits Navigation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct wage
Where Kansas Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
No-wrong-door screening for FE/PD/BI waivers, Senior Care Act, aging services, respite and long-term-care options
Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Medicaid applications and eligibility questions for elderly/disabled, HCBS and Working Healthy
KanCare Clearinghouse
Choose/change a KanCare managed-care organization and get enrollment help
KanCare Enrollment Center
Functional assessment questions for FE, PD and BI waivers and PACE support
Statewide HCBS Assessing Organization (Maximus)
I/DD waiver program eligibility, local service access and waitlist coordination
Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO)
Technology Assisted waiver assessment and application support
Family Waiver Care - TA
Free Medicare counseling; screen for Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and plan options
SHICK - Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas
Caregiver counseling, respite, training, supplemental supports and K-RAD access
Kansas Family Caregiver Support / AAA
SNAP and seasonal LIEAP applications / eligibility help
Kansas DCF Benefits Assistance
Weatherization provider lookup and energy-efficiency assistance
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation - Weatherization
Integrated medical/LTSS enrollment by service area
Kansas PACE Organizations
VA caregiver support, home-based care and community-care navigation
VA Kansas Caregiver / Home-Based Care
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
The Frail Elderly waiver has a current waitlist
KDADS implemented an FE HCBS waiver waitlist effective July 6, 2026 because funded slots were insufficient for demand. A person should still start screening promptly so eligibility and waitlist status can be established.
The Community Supports Waiver is approved but not yet open
CMS approved the new I/DD Community Supports Waiver with an effective date of October 1, 2026. As of August 14, 2026, KDADS participant materials still say enrollment is not open. It is therefore a future planning pathway, not one of the 65 currently available options in this workbook.
Kansas self-direction is service-specific
Kansas currently offers self-direction in FE, I/DD, PD, BI and TA, but not every service on each waiver can be self-directed. Confirm the exact service before assuming a participant can hire their own worker.
FE specifically allows many family attendants but excludes key relationships
KDADS states that an FE participant can choose a family member for Attendant Care, but not a spouse or a person appointed by the participant or court to represent them, including activated durable power of attorney and guardian/conservator roles.
I/DD has a waitlist and a future alternative
Qualifying I/DD applicants can be placed on the I/DD waitlist. The October 2026 Community Supports Waiver is designed for people with I/DD who do not need 24-hour paid support, but enrolling in CSW will require giving up an I/DD waitlist spot under current KDADS materials.
Working Healthy / WORK is an alternative to HCBS waiver enrollment
KanCare states that Working Healthy beneficiaries receiving WORK services cannot simultaneously receive HCBS waiver services. Compare the employment and personal-assistance advantages carefully before changing programs.
PACE is powerful but geographically limited
Kansas PACE includes in-home care and personal care, but enrollment requires age 55+, nursing-home level of care, safe community living at enrollment and residence in a participating service area served by HOPE, Midland Care or Bluestem.
Senior Care Act is locally administered and uses cost sharing
SCA services vary by county and are delivered through Area Agencies on Aging. Eligible participants contribute from a donation up to 100% of service cost based on ability to pay, and income guidelines are adjusted annually in July.
K-RAD funding is limited
Kansas dementia respite may subsidize up to $1,000 per care recipient per state fiscal year and is awarded first-come, first-served. Families should apply early through the local AAA and not assume funding is continuously available.
The 2026 LIEAP season is closed
Kansas DCF states that the 2026 LIEAP application period has ended. Treat it as a seasonal cost offset and watch for the next application window rather than an immediately open benefit in August 2026.
Kansas is in VA Community Care Network Region 2
VA lists Kansas in CCN Region 2, administered by Optum. Routine community care generally requires VA referral/authorization; a private home-care agency cannot assume VA payment without authorization.
Kansas homeowner refunds are alternatives, not stackable
Eligible homeowners should compare K-40H, SAFESR (K-40PT) and K-40SVR because only one of these three refunds can be received for the same claim year. Current eligibility figures in this workbook reflect 2025 claims filed in 2026 and should be refreshed for later tax years.
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 Kansas to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Kansas
These providers serve families in Kansas and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
