How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Utah
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
Utah families typically start by screening adults 65+ who require a nursing-facility level of care and meet Medicaid financial rules for the Aging Waiver, which can authorize personal attendant, homemaker, companion, respite, adult day, emergency response, and home-modification services, while low-income older adults who don't qualify for Medicaid can look at the Alternatives Program administered through local Area Agencies on Aging, subject to local availability, financial screening, risk assessment, and cost-sharing. Adults who qualify for supported living can use DSPD's Self-Administered Services (SAS) and its Caregiver Compensation pathway, which can allow parents, step-parents, legal guardians, and spouses to be paid caregivers when authorization, training, and program rules are met. Utah operates nine Medicaid 1915(c) HCBS waivers overall, so families should match the right disability-specific option among Community Supports, Acquired Brain Injury, Physical Disabilities, Limited Supports, Community Transitions, New Choices, Medically Complex Children, Technology Dependent Children, and the Aging Waiver. Every plan can be layered with Medicaid home health/personal care, EPAS for workers with disabilities, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, SNAP, HEAT, weatherization, property-tax relief, caregiver support, and Veteran benefits.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Medicaid LTSS
Utah Medicaid Long-Term Care / HCBS
Yes, when authorizedHelps pay for: Medicaid long-term services and supports in institutions or through approved home- and community-based waiver programs.
Who qualifies: Must meet the applicable Medicaid financial, functional and program-specific criteria; waiver space can be limited.
How to start: Apply for Utah Medicaid and request the appropriate waiver/LTSS screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on program/service
Aging Waiver
Utah Aging Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS to help adults 65+ remain at home or in community settings instead of institutional care.
Who qualifies: Age 65+, nursing-facility level of care, Medicaid financial eligibility; limited enrollment.
How to start: Contact the local Area Agency on Aging for referral and assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; verify
Aging Waiver Service
Personal Attendant Services
YesHelps pay for: Hands-on personal assistance included in the Aging Waiver service array when assessed and authorized.
Who qualifies: Must be an enrolled Aging Waiver member with assessed need and authorized service plan.
How to start: Ask AAA waiver case manager to assess personal-attendant need.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; ask case manager
Homemaker Services
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Help with household tasks needed to support safe community living.
Who qualifies: Authorized only when assessed as needed under the Aging Waiver plan.
How to start: Request homemaker assessment through the waiver case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; ask case manager
Adult Companion Services
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Companion/support services intended to help an enrolled member remain safely in the community.
Who qualifies: Must meet service definition and be authorized in the waiver care plan.
How to start: Discuss companion services with the AAA case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; ask case manager
Respite Care
YesHelps pay for: Temporary substitute care to relieve an unpaid caregiver; may include approved long-term-care settings.
Who qualifies: Assessed need, waiver authorization and provider rules apply.
How to start: Ask the waiver case manager for respite screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually not a regular family wage
Community Living Services
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Supports that help an enrolled older adult maintain community living and independence.
Who qualifies: Available when assessed as necessary and included in the authorized plan.
How to start: Ask the waiver case manager about community living supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific
Adult Day Health
Indirect / partialHelps pay for: Structured daytime health/support services that can reduce the number of paid hours needed at home.
Who qualifies: Must be assessed as needed and available through an enrolled provider.
How to start: Request adult-day screening through the case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
Home-Delivered Supplemental Meals
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Supplemental delivered meals that can reduce food and caregiver-task costs.
Who qualifies: Authorized based on assessed need and waiver rules.
How to start: Ask the case manager whether meal support is appropriate.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Emergency Response / Medication Reminder Systems
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Safety and reminder technology that can support independent living and reduce supervision burden.
Who qualifies: Must be assessed and authorized under the waiver plan.
How to start: Ask about emergency response and medication reminder systems.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Approved accessibility modifications that can make the home safer and reduce hands-on assistance needs.
Who qualifies: Medical/functional need, authorization and program limits apply.
How to start: Request a home-accessibility assessment through the case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Specialized Medical Equipment
Indirect / can reduce careHelps pay for: Authorized equipment that supports safe community living and independence.
Who qualifies: Must be waiver-covered, assessed as necessary and authorized.
How to start: Ask the case manager about covered equipment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Supportive Maintenance Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: Home-health-aide support included in the Aging Waiver service array when assessed and authorized.
Who qualifies: Waiver enrollment, assessed need, service definition and provider requirements apply.
How to start: Discuss with the Aging Waiver case manager.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific
Non-Medical Transportation
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Authorized transportation to waiver/community activities and services can reduce family transportation burden.
Who qualifies: Must be assessed as needed and authorized under the waiver plan.
How to start: Ask the case manager about non-medical transportation.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
Personal Budget Assistance
Indirect - supports self-directionHelps pay for: Budget-management support included in the Aging Waiver service array for qualifying participants.
Who qualifies: Must be assessed as needed and authorized under the waiver.
How to start: Ask the case manager whether personal budget assistance applies.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Aging / Non-Medicaid
Alternatives Program / HCBS
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Individualized in-home services for low-income aging adults who need help remaining independent at home.
Who qualifies: Income/assets and professional risk assessment apply; a small fee is usually required; resources vary locally.
How to start: Contact the local Area Agency on Aging and ask for Alternatives screening.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally service-based, not family wage
Alternatives Service
Alternatives Homemaking / Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Local care plans may include homemaking and personal care to help a frail older adult remain at home.
Who qualifies: Availability and exact service package vary by local AAA and contracted providers.
How to start: Ask the local AAA what Alternatives services are available in the county.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage
Alternatives Respite / Short-Term Support
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Short-term relief for people caring for a homebound older adult when locally available.
Who qualifies: Local availability, assessment and cost-sharing rules apply.
How to start: Request respite screening through the local AAA.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Usually no regular family wage
Caregiver Support
Utah Caregiver Support Program
Indirect / respiteHelps pay for: Information, counseling, education, support groups, respite and limited supplemental services/supplies for unpaid caregivers.
Who qualifies: No low-income requirement; population and caregiver relationship criteria apply.
How to start: Contact the local Area Agency on Aging.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular caregiver wage
Caregiver Supplemental Services
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Limited assistive technology, emergency response, grab bars, incontinence supplies and similar supports may reduce out-of-pocket caregiving costs.
Who qualifies: Provided on a limited basis through caregiver-support programs; local funding and criteria vary.
How to start: Ask the local AAA caregiver program about supplemental-service funds.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Facility Transition
New Choices Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid waiver for qualifying people residing long-term in certain nursing, assisted-living or other licensed medical facilities who want to transition to integrated community settings.
Who qualifies: Must be residing in an eligible facility type, meet minimum-stay rules and nursing-facility level of care throughout participation.
How to start: Apply online or contact New Choices Waiver.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on authorized service and worker rules
New Choices Case Management
Indirect - unlocks servicesHelps pay for: Case management helps participants access waiver, Medicaid and other community services and build a person-centered plan.
Who qualifies: For enrolled New Choices participants.
How to start: Select a case-management agency after waiver enrollment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
I/DD Medicaid
Community Supports Waiver (CSW)
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for people with intellectual disabilities or related conditions who meet ICF/ID level-of-care and Medicaid criteria.
Who qualifies: No age restriction; qualifying onset/functional impairment, ICF/ID level of care, Medicaid financial eligibility; capacity limits/waitlist.
How to start: Apply to DSPD for eligibility and waiver services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through DSPD pathways
CSW Service
CSW Personal Assistance / Supported Living
YesHelps pay for: Personal assistance and supported living can provide help with daily activities and community living.
Who qualifies: Must be authorized in person-centered plan and available within waiver/service rules.
How to start: Discuss supported living/personal assistance with DSPD support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially, including approved caregiver compensation
CSW Homemaker / Chore / Companion
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Household and companion supports that help a person remain safely in the community.
Who qualifies: Assessed need, authorized plan and service-specific requirements apply.
How to start: Ask support coordinator to assess relevant services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through approved delivery model
CSW Respite
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Temporary relief for unpaid caregivers.
Who qualifies: Must be authorized in the person-centered plan.
How to start: Request respite through DSPD support coordination.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a regular caregiver wage
CSW Environmental Adaptations / Specialized Equipment
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Home modifications and equipment that support independence and reduce caregiver burden.
Who qualifies: Must meet waiver service definition and be authorized.
How to start: Request assessment through support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Brain Injury Medicaid
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for adults 18+ with documented acquired brain injury who require nursing-facility level of care.
Who qualifies: Age 18+, documented brain injury, NF level of care, Medicaid financial eligibility; waitlist/capacity applies.
How to start: Apply through DSPD.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through DSPD pathways
ABI Service
ABI Homemaker / Companion / Chore
Yes / supportiveHelps pay for: Home and companion supports included in the ABI service array.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled and assessed as needing the service.
How to start: Discuss with DSPD support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through approved delivery model
ABI Respite
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Temporary caregiver relief for enrolled members.
Who qualifies: Authorization and service-plan limits apply.
How to start: Ask support coordinator for respite assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a regular caregiver wage
ABI Supported Living
YesHelps pay for: Supports, supervision and assistance for community living.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for living support and have services authorized.
How to start: Discuss supported living with DSPD support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially, including approved caregiver compensation
Physical Disability Medicaid
Physical Disabilities Waiver
YesHelps pay for: Self-determination-focused waiver for adults with qualifying physical disability who require significant personal assistance and nursing-facility level of care.
Who qualifies: Age 18+, functional loss of 2+ limbs, at least 14 hours/week personal assistance, ability to direct attendant and manage financial/legal matters, Medicaid eligibility.
How to start: Apply to DSPD.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through DSPD caregiver-compensation/SAS rules
PD Waiver Service
Physical Disabilities Personal Assistance
YesHelps pay for: Authorized personal assistance services delivered under the PD Waiver.
Who qualifies: Participant must meet waiver criteria, train/direct attendants and have an authorized plan.
How to start: Request through DSPD/support coordination.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially; program-specific
Physical Disabilities Financial Management Services
Enables paid careHelps pay for: Fiscal support for participant-directed personal assistance.
Who qualifies: Available within the waiver when self-directed services are authorized.
How to start: Coordinate with DSPD and assigned fiscal-management provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: N/A - supports payroll
Self-Direction
DSPD Self-Administered Services (SAS)
YesHelps pay for: Lets a person/family hire, train and supervise employees for qualifying in-home disability services, with a required fiscal agent.
Who qualifies: Must be receiving a DSPD service that permits SAS; employer responsibilities, background checks, training, budget and fiscal-agent rules apply.
How to start: Ask DSPD support coordinator to discuss SAS delivery.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, when worker and service rules allow
Paid Family Caregiver
DSPD Caregiver Compensation
YesHelps pay for: Ongoing supported-living service that can pay certain legally responsible family caregivers.
Who qualifies: Person must receive DSPD services and qualify for living support; medical/behavioral certification, authorization, training and program guidance apply.
How to start: Ask the DSPD support coordinator about caregiver-compensation eligibility and required training/forms.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - parent, step-parent, legal guardian or spouse may qualify
I/DD / ABI Medicaid
Limited Supports Waiver (LSW)
YesHelps pay for: Budget-flexible HCBS for eligible DSPD waitlist participants with lower support needs.
Who qualifies: For qualifying ID/RC or ABI participants on DSPD waitlist; annual service cap and limited array apply; Medicaid financial eligibility generally required.
How to start: Apply to DSPD and maintain waitlist status; ask about LSW availability.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through SAS/caregiver rules
LSW Service
LSW Attendant Care
YesHelps pay for: Attendant care may be delivered through contracted providers or SAS within the capped LSW budget.
Who qualifies: Must be authorized within LSW service plan and annual budget.
How to start: Ask support coordinator about attendant care and SAS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially under approved SAS/caregiver rules
LSW Respite
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Respite for caregiver relief within the LSW service array and capped budget.
Who qualifies: Authorization, annual budget and service rules apply.
How to start: Request through support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a regular caregiver wage
LSW Environmental Adaptations / Equipment / Individual Goods
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Flexible covered supports that may reduce home-care burden or enable independence.
Who qualifies: Must meet waiver rules and fit within authorized capped budget.
How to start: Discuss goals and eligible purchases with support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
I/DD Facility Transition
Community Transitions Waiver
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for people with I/DD or related conditions transitioning from an ICF into community settings.
Who qualifies: Must reside in an ICF, meet ICF level-of-care and disability-onset/functional criteria, and meet Medicaid financial eligibility.
How to start: Work with the ICF/DSPD transition process.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through DSPD pathways
Community Transitions Service
CTW Supported Living / Personal Assistance / Respite
YesHelps pay for: Community supports, supported living, nursing, companion, chore and respite services after transition.
Who qualifies: Must be authorized for an enrolled CTW participant.
How to start: Develop person-centered plan with transition/support coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially through approved DSPD pathways
Children / Medicaid
Medically Complex Children’s Waiver (MCCW)
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid and supportive services for medically complex children who meet medical, functional and disability criteria.
Who qualifies: Age 18 or younger; medical complexity across 3+ organ systems, specialty-provider and ADL criteria, disability designation; waitlist and acuity prioritization apply.
How to start: Submit MCCW application; online submission encouraged.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; verify worker rules
MCCW Service
MCCW Respite Care
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Routine and skilled nursing respite; program page states participants receive 13 hours per month of respite.
Who qualifies: For enrolled MCCW participants; service authorization and provider rules apply.
How to start: Ask MCCW case manager about respite scheduling.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a regular caregiver wage
MCCW Personal Attendant Services
YesHelps pay for: Personal attendant services for eligible enrolled children.
Who qualifies: Must be included in the authorized waiver plan.
How to start: Ask MCCW case manager about attendant services and worker rules.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; verify
Children / High Medical Need
Technology Dependent Waiver (TDW)
YesHelps pay for: HCBS for qualifying technology-dependent children who otherwise require nursing-facility care.
Who qualifies: Under 21 at admission; NF level of care; qualifying technology dependence/skilled-care need; trained caregiver available; limited slots/waitlist.
How to start: Apply to TDW program.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; verify
TDW Service
TDW Personal Attendant Services
YesHelps pay for: Authorized attendant support for enrolled technology-dependent participants.
Who qualifies: Must be included in approved waiver care plan.
How to start: Ask TDW program/case manager about attendant services.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Program-specific; verify
Extended Private Duty Nursing / Home Health Aide
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: Extended skilled nursing or aide services for eligible TDW participants.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, care plan, licensure and authorization rules apply.
How to start: Work with TDW care team and enrolled providers.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially only if qualified under applicable rules
Skilled Nursing Respite / Family Support Services
Yes / temporaryHelps pay for: Respite and family-support services that can reduce unpaid caregiver burden.
Who qualifies: Must be authorized under the TDW plan.
How to start: Ask TDW case manager about respite/family support.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a regular caregiver wage
Employment / Medicaid
Employment-related Personal Assistant Services (EPAS)
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed personal assistance with ADLs/IADLs needed specifically to maintain integrated competitive employment.
Who qualifies: Must have disability determination, be on Utah Medicaid, work at least 40 hours/month or be self-employed, and need PA support to maintain employment. Cannot duplicate waiver personal care.
How to start: Submit EPAS application.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family can qualify with exclusions
EPAS Family Worker
EPAS Family / Friend Personal Assistant
YesHelps pay for: EPAS participant selects and hires a personal assistant; examples include adult participant’s parent, family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
Who qualifies: Assistant may not be a legal guardian; Utah page identifies parent of a minor child and spouse as examples of legal guardians barred from PA role. Other worker qualifications apply.
How to start: Ask EPAS coordinator/fiscal agent before hiring a relative.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes, except legal guardian/spouse restrictions
Medicaid State Plan
Utah Medicaid Home Health
Yes, skilled/covered careHelps pay for: Medically necessary home health services under Medicaid benefit coverage.
Who qualifies: Member eligibility, medical necessity, prior authorization/provider and plan rules apply.
How to start: Ask treating clinician and Medicaid plan/FFS about home-health authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally through enrolled provider
Utah Medicaid Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Personal care is a covered Utah Medicaid benefit when applicable criteria and authorization are met.
Who qualifies: Coverage varies by eligibility program, medical necessity and service rules; waiver duplication restrictions may apply.
How to start: Ask Medicaid plan/HPR or waiver case manager about personal-care coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on program/provider model
Hospice
Utah Medicaid / Medicare Hospice
Yes - hospice scopeHelps pay for: End-of-life hospice can cover clinical home visits and related hospice services while coordinating with other authorized supports.
Who qualifies: Hospice eligibility, election and payer coordination rules apply.
How to start: Ask treating clinician/hospice and Medicaid/Medicare plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
Medicaid Eligibility
Aged, Blind or Disabled Medicaid
Indirect / may cover servicesHelps pay for: Health coverage that can unlock Medicaid benefits and may be a prerequisite for waiver or state-plan home services.
Who qualifies: Generally for people 65+, blind or disabled who meet Utah Medicaid eligibility rules.
How to start: Apply through Utah Medicaid / DWS myCase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on service program
Medicaid Work Incentive / Spenddown Pathways
Indirect - unlocks coverageHelps pay for: Utah eligibility rules include Medicaid Work Incentive and medically needy/spenddown pathways that may help people qualify for Medicaid while working or with higher medical expenses.
Who qualifies: Category-specific disability, income, resource, premium/spenddown and other rules apply.
How to start: Apply through DWS and ask eligibility worker about the applicable category.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on service program
Medicare Cost Offset
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB / SLMB / QI)
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Can pay Medicare premiums and, for QMB, certain deductibles/copays, freeing household funds for care.
Who qualifies: Part A Medicare and income/resource/program rules apply; QI is limited funding and cannot overlap Medicaid.
How to start: Apply through DWS/Utah Medicaid.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health
Yes - limited skilled benefitHelps pay for: Intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and home health aide services when federal Medicare coverage criteria are met.
Who qualifies: Homebound/skilled-need and plan-of-care rules apply; Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care alone.
How to start: Ask clinician for Medicare-certified home-health referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
Medicare Hospice
Yes - hospice scopeHelps pay for: Hospice benefit for terminal illness, including home-based clinical/support services within the hospice benefit.
Who qualifies: Must meet Medicare hospice eligibility and elect the benefit.
How to start: Ask clinician or Medicare-certified hospice.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular family wage
Prescription Cost Offset
Medicare Part D Extra Help
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Reduces Part D premiums, deductibles and drug copays, freeing resources for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare and income/resource/automatic-eligibility rules apply.
How to start: Apply with Social Security or screen through SHIP.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Cost Offset
SNAP
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Food benefits can reduce household grocery costs and preserve funds for care.
Who qualifies: Household SNAP eligibility rules apply; Utah offers an Elderly Simplified Application Process for qualifying households.
How to start: Apply through myCase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Utility Cost Offset
Utah HEAT / LIHEAP
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Year-round energy assistance for qualifying low-income households, subject to funding and program-year rules.
Who qualifies: Generally household income at or below 150% FPL plus responsibility for home energy costs and citizenship/qualified-noncitizen rules.
How to start: Apply online or contact local HEAT office.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Cost Offset
Utah Weatherization Assistance Program
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: No-cost/low-cost energy-efficiency improvements can reduce utility expenses and improve home comfort/safety.
Who qualifies: Generally up to 200% FPL or current HEAT recipient; priority criteria and waiting lists apply.
How to start: Apply through the agency serving the county.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Property Tax
Utah Property Tax Relief / Senior Deferral
Indirect cost reductionHelps pay for: Homeowner/renter credits, low-income abatements, veteran/blind exemptions and senior deferral programs can reduce housing costs.
Who qualifies: Program-specific age, income, property, ownership and filing rules apply; most programs are handled by counties.
How to start: Contact county tax-relief office and review current Pub 36.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Funding
Long-Term Care Insurance / Personal Savings / Private Home Care
Yes, depending on funds/policyHelps pay for: Private LTC insurance benefits, retirement income, savings, family cost-sharing or direct private-pay home care can fill gaps when public programs do not cover all hours.
Who qualifies: Policy definitions, elimination periods, benefit limits, tax/employment rules and private contracts control.
How to start: Review LTC policy and compare licensed/qualified providers or lawful private-employment arrangements.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Possible if policy/contract and employment law allow
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker / Home Health Aide (H/HHA)
Direct in-home helpHelps pay for: VA-authorized personal care and homemaker assistance through community agencies.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment, clinical need, eligibility and local authorization apply. Ask VA primary care/social work for H/HHA assessment.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Homemaker / Home Health Aide (H/HHA).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
Direct/self-directed home careHelps pay for: Participant-directed budget for personal care/supports where locally available.
Who qualifies: VA eligibility, clinical need and local VDC availability required. Ask VA Geriatrics/Extended Care or social work whether VDC is available locally.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Veteran-Directed Care (VDC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially, under VDC worker rules
VA Skilled Home Health
Direct skilled home careHelps pay for: Intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and related home health authorized by VA.
Who qualifies: Clinical need and VA authorization/provider participation apply. Ask VA clinician for skilled-home-health referral.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Skilled Home Health.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
VA Respite Care
Temporary relief for caregiverHelps pay for: In-home, adult-day or facility respite depending on eligibility and local availability.
Who qualifies: VA-enrolled Veteran with clinical need; benefit limits and availability apply. Ask VA social work/caregiver support for respite assessment.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Respite Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No regular caregiver wage
VA Adult Day Health Care
Can reduce paid home-care hoursHelps pay for: Daytime health, rehabilitation and social services that can reduce home-care burden.
Who qualifies: Clinical eligibility, local availability and VA authorization apply. Ask VA Geriatrics/social work for Adult Day Health referral.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC)
Reduces outside medical visitsHelps pay for: Interdisciplinary primary care at home for Veterans with complex chronic conditions who have difficulty traveling.
Who qualifies: VA-enrolled Veteran with qualifying clinical need and local program availability. Ask VA primary care or social work for HBPC screening.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct caregiver supportHelps pay for: Education, support and, when eligibility criteria are met, a monthly stipend and other benefits for an approved primary family caregiver.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet current PCAFC requirements; stipend is not hourly home-care wages. Apply 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 - stipend for approved caregiver
Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS)
Indirect caregiver supportHelps pay for: Training, coaching, peer support, referrals and caregiver resources.
Who qualifies: Generally for caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care; program-specific rules apply. 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 stipend under PGCSS
VA Pension Aid & Attendance / Housebound
Cash may offset private home careHelps pay for: Additional pension amount for qualifying Veterans/survivors who need ADL help, are housebound or meet specified criteria.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA pension/survivors pension and meet A&A or Housebound criteria. File with VA or an accredited VSO/claims representative.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension Aid & Attendance / Housebound.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Can be used for care expenses; not an hourly VA wage
VA Community Care Network - Utah Region 4
May include authorized home health/community servicesHelps pay for: VA-authorized community providers can deliver approved care when Community Care eligibility/referral applies.
Who qualifies: Utah is in CCN Region 4, administered by TriWest. Non-emergency community care generally requires VA referral/authorization. Work through VA care team/community care office before scheduling non-emergency care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Community Care Network - Utah Region 4.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on underlying benefit
VA Caregiver Support Program - Utah
Direct navigationHelps pay for: Navigation to respite, caregiver programs, in-home services and community resources.
Who qualifies: Each VA benefit has its own eligibility; caregiver support staff can triage options. Call the national Caregiver Support Line and request local coordinator.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Caregiver Support Program - Utah.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Connects to PCAFC and other programs
Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA)
Indirect - helps unlock benefitsHelps pay for: Free VA-accredited claims help and navigation to federal/state Veteran benefits.
Who qualifies: Benefit-specific Veteran/dependent eligibility applies. Contact UDVMA or a regional Veteran Service Officer.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver wage
Where Utah Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Apply for Medicaid, ABD, spenddown/work-incentive categories and Medicare Savings Programs.
Utah Medicaid / DWS Eligibility
Coverage questions, providers and Medicaid member support.
Utah Medicaid Member / HPR
Aging Waiver, Alternatives, caregiver support and local AAA navigation.
Division of Aging & Adult Services (DAAS)
County-level Aging Waiver referral, Alternatives, caregiver respite/support, meals and local services.
Local Area Agency on Aging
Eligibility and waiting-list intake for I/DD, physical disability and acquired brain injury services.
DSPD Intake / ASK-DSPD
Questions about DSPD waiver services, SAS and service-system navigation.
DSPD Administrative / Waiver Office
Facility-to-community transition waiver applications and questions.
New Choices Waiver
Children’s medically complex and technology-dependent waiver applications/questions.
MCCW / Technology Dependent Waiver
Employment-related self-directed personal assistance for Medicaid members with disabilities who work.
EPAS Program
Free Medicare, Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help and coverage counseling.
Utah SHIP
VA caregiver programs, respite, PCAFC/PGCSS and home-care navigation.
VA Caregiver Support
VA-accredited claims assistance and Veteran benefit navigation.
Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Issue
What to Know / What to Do
Start with the correct entry door
For adults 65+, start with the local Area Agency on Aging for the Aging Waiver and Alternatives. For I/DD, qualifying physical disability or acquired brain injury, start with DSPD intake. For New Choices, MCCW, TDW or EPAS, use the program-specific Utah Medicaid application/contact.
Aging Waiver is 65+ and nursing-facility level of care
The Aging Waiver requires age 65+, nursing-facility level of care and Medicaid financial eligibility. It serves a limited number of people, so eligibility does not guarantee immediate enrollment.
Alternatives is not the same as the Medicaid Aging Waiver
The Alternatives Program is a locally administered in-home program for low-income aging adults. Income/assets, risk assessment, a small fee and local resource availability can apply.
DSPD eligibility and funding are separate steps
A person can be found eligible for DSPD but still wait for waiver funding. Keep needs information current and ask for a reassessment when caregiver capacity, health or safety changes.
Utah has a dedicated DSPD caregiver-compensation pathway
DSPD Caregiver Compensation can allow parents, step-parents, legal guardians and spouses to be paid caregivers for people who qualify for supported living. It is not automatic: authorization, certification, training, service limits and documentation apply.
Self-Administered Services create employer responsibilities
Under DSPD SAS, the person/family hires, trains and supervises workers and must use a fiscal agent. Background screening, payroll, budget and service-plan requirements still apply.
EPAS has unusually specific family-worker rules
EPAS is for Medicaid members with disabilities who work at least 40 hours per month or are self-employed and need personal assistance to maintain employment. Family/friends can be workers, but a legal guardian cannot; the Utah page lists a spouse and a parent of a minor as examples of legal guardians.
Do not duplicate EPAS and waiver personal care
Utah states that a person in a 1915(c) waiver may not receive EPAS when personal care is already provided as a component of covered waiver services. Coordinate benefits before changing service delivery.
New Choices is a facility-transition program
New Choices is not a general community-entry waiver. Applicants must currently reside long-term in specified licensed institutional/residential settings and meet minimum-stay and nursing-facility-level-of-care requirements.
Children's waivers use different medical and capacity rules
MCCW and TDW have separate medical criteria and waitlists. MCCW currently serves medically complex children through age 18 and lists 13 hours/month of respite; TDW requires technology dependence and admission before age 21.
Limited Supports has a capped budget
The DSPD Limited Supports Waiver is designed for lower support needs and uses an annual spending cap. Published figures can change with waiver amendments/rate updates, so verify the current cap with DSPD before building a care plan around a dollar amount.
Stack cost offsets while waiting or filling gaps
Apply in parallel for Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, SNAP, HEAT, weatherization, property-tax relief, caregiver respite/support and Veteran benefits. These do not replace LTSS, but can preserve cash for private home-care hours.
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 Utah to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Utah
These providers serve families in Utah and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
