How to Pay for Home Care in Virginia

Private pay from income, savings, investments, pensions, Social Security, or family contributions

Best fit: Families who need flexible, immediate care hours without waiting for public-program approval.

Helps pay for: Non-medical home care from an agency; directly hired caregivers; companion care; personal care; dementia supervision; respite; transportation; homemaker help.

Who qualifies: Anyone with available personal funds. Family members may contribute informally or through a written care agreement.

How to start: Compare several Virginia home care agencies or direct-hire arrangements; create a written care plan and budget.

Good to know: CareScout reported Virginia median annual non-medical home care at $80,080 in 2025 based on 44 hours/week. Actual rates vary by locality, schedule, provider, and acuity.

Directly hired caregiver with household-employer payroll compliance

Best fit: Families who want to hire and supervise a caregiver directly rather than through an agency.

Helps pay for: Wages for a private caregiver, companion, driver, health aide, or household worker.

Who qualifies: Available to families able to manage hiring, supervision, payroll, backup coverage, workers compensation/liability considerations, and tax reporting.

How to start: Use a written employment agreement; evaluate household-employee status; review federal and Virginia withholding/payroll rules.

Good to know: Virginia specifically lists elder-care workers and in-home nursing care providers among household employees for withholding purposes; federal and state payroll rules may apply.

Traditional long-term care insurance

Best fit: People who bought a policy before needing substantial care.

Helps pay for: Depending on the policy: home care, adult day care, respite, care coordination, assisted living, and nursing-facility care.

Who qualifies: Must meet the policy benefit trigger, elimination period, provider requirements, and documentation rules.

How to start: Request the complete policy, benefit summary, and claim packet; use VICAP or the Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance for counseling/consumer help.

Good to know: Policies vary dramatically. Verify whether home care is covered, provider licensure requirements, family-caregiver rules, and inflation protection.

Virginia Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership policy

Best fit: Virginians who own or are evaluating a Partnership-qualified LTC policy.

Helps pay for: Policy benefits may cover home/community or facility care; qualifying Partnership policies can provide Medicaid asset-disregard protection after benefits are paid.

Who qualifies: Only policies certified as Virginia Partnership policies qualify for the asset-disregard feature; policy benefit triggers still apply.

How to start: Review the policy and Partnership certification; contact the Virginia SCC Bureau of Insurance.

Good to know: Do not assume every Virginia LTC policy is Partnership-qualified. The asset-disregard amount is tied to benefits paid under a qualifying policy.

Hybrid life/LTC policy, chronic illness rider, accelerated death benefit, life settlement, or viatical settlement

Best fit: Policyholders who own life insurance and need to unlock value for care.

Helps pay for: Policy benefits or proceeds may be used for in-home care, respite, adult day care, or other long-term services depending on the contract/transaction.

Who qualifies: Depends on policy terms, age, health status, death benefit, ownership, and settlement market.

How to start: Request an in-force illustration; ask the insurer about LTC/chronic illness riders or accelerated benefits; obtain tax/legal advice before selling a policy.

Good to know: Using policy value may reduce or eliminate death benefits and may affect taxes, Medicaid eligibility, and estate planning.

Reverse mortgage / Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

Best fit: Homeowners age 62+ with substantial home equity who want to remain in the home.

Helps pay for: Loan proceeds can be used for private home care, modifications, respite, transportation, or other household needs.

Who qualifies: Homeowner must meet age, equity, occupancy, tax/insurance, counseling, and property-maintenance requirements.

How to start: Compare lenders and complete HUD-approved counseling; review impact on spouse, heirs, and Medicaid planning.

Good to know: This is a loan, not a grant. The balance grows over time and the home remains subject to taxes, insurance, and maintenance obligations.

HELOC, home-equity loan, sale of home, downsizing, or renting part of the home

Best fit: Homeowners who need to convert home equity or reduce housing costs to fund care.

Helps pay for: Private home care, home modifications, respite, agency deposits, or a move to safer housing.

Who qualifies: Eligibility depends on credit, equity, income, housing market, lender rules, and family goals.

How to start: Compare financing and housing options with a financial adviser or HUD-approved housing counselor.

Good to know: Borrowing or selling may affect Medicaid eligibility, estate plans, and long-term housing stability.

SSI, Social Security, pensions, retirement income, and family contributions

Best fit: Older adults and people with disabilities using monthly income to fund a portion of care.

Helps pay for: Cash income may be applied to private home care, Medicaid patient pay, transportation, meals, or respite.

Who qualifies: Benefit eligibility depends on work history, disability, age, income, and other program rules.

How to start: Review Social Security/SSI eligibility and how income interacts with Medicaid LTSS financial rules.

Good to know: These are income sources, not dedicated home-care benefits. Medicaid LTSS may require patient pay depending on income.

ABLEnow account

Best fit: Eligible people with qualifying disabilities who want a tax-advantaged account for disability-related expenses.

Helps pay for: Qualified disability expenses may include personal support services, health, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and other costs supporting independence.

Who qualifies: Beneficiary must meet federal ABLE disability-onset and eligibility rules; contribution and program rules apply.

How to start: Open or use an ABLEnow account; retain receipts showing qualified disability expenses.

Good to know: ABLE funds are not a home-care benefit, but personal support services can be qualified expenses when they relate to the beneficiary’s disability and support health, independence, or quality of life.

HSA, health FSA/HRA, medical-expense deduction, and federal dependent-care credit

Best fit: Families with qualifying medical/personal-care expenses or employer tax-advantaged accounts.

Helps pay for: Qualified long-term care, nursing-type services, certain medical home care, and in some cases care enabling a taxpayer to work.

Who qualifies: Each tax/account rule has separate eligibility and documentation requirements.

How to start: Keep care plans, invoices, timesheets, medical certifications, and proof of payment; consult a qualified tax professional.

Good to know: Ordinary companionship or housekeeping does not automatically qualify as a medical expense. Do not double-count an expense across tax-favored programs.

Virginia child and dependent care expenses deduction

Best fit: Virginia taxpayers eligible for the federal child/dependent care credit, including qualifying care for a spouse or dependent incapable of self-care.

Helps pay for: Reduces Virginia taxable income based on qualifying dependent-care expenses used for the federal credit.

Who qualifies: Must be eligible for the federal child/dependent care credit; Virginia deduction is based on expenses, not the federal credit amount.

How to start: Claim on the Virginia individual income tax return; verify current rules with Virginia Tax.

Good to know: Virginia states the deduction can be up to $3,000 for one dependent or $6,000 for two or more dependents, based on qualifying expenses used for the federal credit.

Virginia deduction for long-term health care insurance premiums

Best fit: Virginia taxpayers paying qualifying long-term health care insurance premiums.

Helps pay for: May reduce Virginia taxable income, preserving more cash for care.

Who qualifies: Subject to Virginia tax rules and coordination with federal deductions.

How to start: Review Virginia Tax deduction rules or consult a tax professional.

Good to know: Virginia disallows this state deduction if any federal income-tax deduction was claimed for the same long-term care insurance premiums.

Virginia Livable Home Tax Credit

Best fit: Homeowners or contractors making qualifying accessibility or visitability improvements.

Helps pay for: Can offset part of qualifying home modifications that may reduce the need for paid caregiver assistance or help a person remain at home.

Who qualifies: Project and certification requirements apply; annual program caps apply.

How to start: Review Virginia Housing/Virginia Tax requirements before starting qualifying work.

Good to know: Virginia reports the credit can equal 50% of qualifying retrofit costs, up to $6,500, subject to program rules and statewide allocation limits.

Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) — future benefit

Best fit: Working Virginians planning for future leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Helps pay for: Beginning in 2028, intended to replace a portion of wages during qualifying family/medical leave; can help a caregiver stay home without losing all earnings.

Who qualifies: Benefits are not available in 2026. Program development is underway; claims are scheduled to begin December 1, 2028.

How to start: Follow Virginia Employment Commission implementation updates; do not budget this as a current benefit.

Good to know: Current law provides up to 12 weeks and wage replacement up to 80% subject to the statutory cap, but detailed rules are still being developed. Not a current home-care payer.

Original Medicare home health benefit

Best fit: Homebound Medicare beneficiaries who need intermittent skilled nursing or qualifying therapy.

Helps pay for: Skilled nursing, PT/OT/speech, medical social services, supplies, and limited home health aide care when skilled services are also being received.

Who qualifies: Provider must certify eligibility; care must be ordered and delivered by a Medicare-certified home health agency.

How to start: Ask the treating provider for a home-health order and compare Medicare-certified agencies.

Good to know: Medicare does not pay for ongoing custodial personal care when personal care is the only service needed, and it does not cover 24-hour care at home.

Medicare Advantage plan home health and supplemental benefits

Best fit: People enrolled in Medicare Advantage who may have plan-specific in-home supports beyond Original Medicare.

Helps pay for: Must cover Medicare home health; some plans may offer additional in-home support, meals, transportation, or caregiver-related benefits.

Who qualifies: Varies by plan, county, benefit year, prior authorization, and network.

How to start: Review the Evidence of Coverage and call the plan; use VICAP for unbiased comparison help.

Good to know: Do not assume “in-home support” means unlimited personal care. Benefits can be narrow, temporary, or tied to qualifying conditions.

Medicare GUIDE dementia-care model

Best fit: People with dementia in Original Medicare who meet GUIDE eligibility and live in a participant service area.

Helps pay for: Care navigation, caregiver education, 24/7 support, community-service coordination, and capped respite for qualifying participants.

Who qualifies: Generally requires Original Medicare Parts A and B, confirmed dementia, Medicare as primary payer, and alignment with a GUIDE participant; Medicare Advantage and PACE enrollees are excluded.

How to start: Use the CMS GUIDE participant directory or call 1-800-MEDICARE to locate a participating organization serving the ZIP code.

Good to know: GUIDE is not an unrestricted caregiver stipend. Respite is arranged through the participating organization and is subject to the annual model cap and eligibility rules.

Medicare caregiver training services

Best fit: Medicare patients whose treatment plan requires a caregiver’s help.

Helps pay for: Training on medications, safe transfers, daily tasks, wound/skin care, communication, and condition management.

Who qualifies: Treating Medicare provider must determine training is appropriate and necessary for the patient’s treatment plan.

How to start: Ask the treating physician, nurse practitioner, therapist, or other eligible Medicare provider.

Good to know: This does not pay caregiver wages, but it can reduce risk and help unpaid caregivers safely provide more care at home.

Virginia Medicaid home health services

Best fit: Medicaid members who need covered skilled home health services.

Helps pay for: Home-health services under Virginia Medicaid, subject to medical necessity, provider, authorization, and benefit rules.

Who qualifies: Must be eligible for Virginia Medicaid and meet applicable coverage criteria; managed-care or fee-for-service rules apply.

How to start: Contact the Medicaid health plan/care manager, treating provider, or Cover Virginia.

Good to know: Medical home health is different from long-term non-medical personal care. Separate waiver or aging-service pathways may be needed for ADL help.

CCC Plus Waiver — agency-directed personal care, respite, adult day health, nursing and other HCBS

Best fit: Older adults, people with physical disabilities, or people with significant medical needs who would otherwise require nursing-facility or specialized institutional care.

Helps pay for: Personal care, respite, adult day health, private-duty nursing, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and other authorized HCBS.

Who qualifies: Requires Medicaid financial eligibility plus LTSS screening showing nursing-facility-level need/waiver criteria.

How to start: Request an LTSS Screening through the local Department of Social Services; after enrollment work with Cardinal Care plan/care manager or fee-for-service team.

Good to know: One of Virginia’s primary public pathways for ongoing home-based personal care. Authorization is based on assessed need and program rules.

CCC Plus Waiver — consumer-directed personal care and respite

Best fit: Waiver members who want to hire, train, schedule, and supervise their own attendants.

Helps pay for: Authorized personal care/personal assistance and respite delivered through a consumer-directed model.

Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in a waiver/service that permits consumer direction and complete employer-of-record/service-facilitation requirements.

How to start: Ask the LTSS screener, Cardinal Care plan, or services facilitator about consumer-directed services.

Good to know: The member or representative assumes employer responsibilities, with support from a Services Facilitator and fiscal/payroll processes.

CCC Plus/DD Waivers — payment to certain legally responsible individuals

Best fit: Some waiver members whose spouse or parent/legal guardian may need to provide personal care when program conditions are met.

Helps pay for: Authorized personal care/personal assistance by a legally responsible individual when DMAS requirements are satisfied.

Who qualifies: Strict waiver, documentation, authorization, and exceptional-circumstance requirements apply; rules changed effective July 1, 2025.

How to start: Ask the Medicaid plan/services facilitator and DMAS about LRI eligibility before assuming a spouse or parent can be paid.

Good to know: This is not a general family-caregiver stipend. Authorization depends on waiver eligibility and DMAS LRI rules.

Cardinal Care Managed Care — LTSS authorization and care management

Best fit: Most Virginia Medicaid members receiving long-term services and supports through managed care.

Helps pay for: Coordinates Medicaid benefits, including waiver/community-based LTSS, nursing-facility services, medical care, and care management.

Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in Virginia Medicaid/Cardinal Care; plan assignment and benefit rules apply.

How to start: Call the member’s health plan care manager or the Managed Care Helpline.

Good to know: Cardinal Care is not a separate cash benefit; it is the delivery system through which most CCC Plus waiver/LTSS services are coordinated and authorized.

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

Best fit: Adults 55+ who meet nursing-home level-of-care criteria, can live safely in the community, and live in a Virginia PACE service area.

Helps pay for: Comprehensive medical care plus home care/personal care, adult day, therapy, medications, transportation, meals, and other approved services.

Who qualifies: Age 55+, service-area residency, nursing-facility level of care, and ability to live safely in the community; financial rules depend on Medicare/Medicaid status.

How to start: Contact a Virginia PACE site or request LTSS screening; DMAS publishes current PACE locations and ZIP codes.

Good to know: PACE replaces the usual Medicare/Medicaid delivery arrangement while enrolled; it is not available in every Virginia ZIP code.

Virginia D-SNP + Cardinal Care aligned enrollment

Best fit: People eligible for both Medicare and full Medicaid who want integrated plan coordination.

Helps pay for: Coordinates Medicare and Medicaid benefits and may include plan-specific supplemental supports; Medicaid LTSS remains governed by Medicaid eligibility and authorization.

Who qualifies: Must be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and meet plan/service-area enrollment rules.

How to start: Use VICAP and DMAS plan information to compare D-SNP and aligned Medicaid options.

Good to know: A D-SNP is not itself a long-term home-care benefit; verify supplemental benefits and Medicaid LTSS authorization separately.

Virginia Developmental Disability Waivers (FIS and CL; BI for some adults)

Best fit: People of any age, including older adults, with qualifying developmental disabilities.

Helps pay for: Depending on waiver: personal assistance, respite, in-home supports, private-duty nursing, assistive technology, community services, and other HCBS.

Who qualifies: Must meet developmental-disability waiver criteria; Virginia has a waiting list and slots are assigned based on urgency of need.

How to start: Contact the local Community Services Board for DD waiver screening/wait-list information.

Good to know: This is a specialty pathway for people with qualifying developmental disabilities, not a general senior-care waiver.

Virginia Area Agencies on Aging — in-home care services

Best fit: Older Virginians who need personal care, homemaker, chore, adult day, meals, transportation, or other supports and may not qualify for Medicaid.

Helps pay for: Depending on local funding: personal care, homemaker help, chores, adult day, checking/reassurance, meals, transportation, and care coordination.

Who qualifies: Eligibility and cost-sharing vary by local AAA, program, age, need, income, and available funding.

How to start: Use the DARS “Find Your Local AAA” directory and ask specifically about in-home care services.

Good to know: DARS states AAA in-home care may be free or low-cost for people with limited incomes. Availability is local and funding-dependent.

Local Department of Social Services homemaker, companion, and chore services

Best fit: Adults who need home-based help to delay or avoid placement in a residential setting.

Helps pay for: Companion services, meal preparation, transportation, laundry, light housekeeping, personal care, home management, and certain chore services.

Who qualifies: Based on need, service availability, and any financial requirements established for the program.

How to start: Submit an Adult Services application to the local Department of Social Services.

Good to know: Spots may be limited by funding. This is separate from Medicaid CCC Plus waiver services.

National Family Caregiver Support Program through Virginia AAAs

Best fit: Unpaid family caregivers of older adults and certain other eligible caregivers.

Helps pay for: May include respite, caregiver education, support groups, counseling, information, and help accessing services.

Who qualifies: Eligibility and specific services vary by AAA and federal/state program rules.

How to start: Contact the local Virginia AAA and ask for caregiver support/respite services.

Good to know: Usually supplements rather than replaces ongoing paid home care.

Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program

Best fit: Virginia primary caregivers who live at least part-time with a loved one who has a documented disability or medical condition.

Helps pay for: Short-term respite from a hired individual or agency, subject to program rules.

Who qualifies: Virginia residency, primary caregiver status, shared residence at least part-time, and current documentation of disability/medical condition; funding is limited.

How to start: Apply through DARS; caregiver selects, hires, and initially pays the respite provider, then follows reimbursement rules.

Good to know: Current DARS page states up to $595 per household per year through June 30, 2027, or until funds run out. Maximum reimbursable rates apply.

No Wrong Door Virginia / Virginia Easy Access

Best fit: Older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and caregivers who do not know which program to start with.

Helps pay for: Connects people with public/private services, benefits, home supports, transportation, caregiver help, and long-term-care resources.

Who qualifies: Open to Virginians seeking information and service connections; individual programs have their own eligibility rules.

How to start: Use the Virginia Easy Access Service Finder or Direct Connect; local network is led by the 25 AAAs.

Good to know: Navigation itself does not pay for care, but it can identify local programs that reduce private-pay needs.

VA Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care

Best fit: Eligible enrolled veterans who need assistance with daily activities and can be served in the community.

Helps pay for: Authorized aide services for ADLs/IADLs such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, mobility, and approved household tasks.

Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA health-care eligibility/enrollment, service availability, and VA authorization; copay may apply based on status.

How to start: Ask the veteran’s VA primary care team, geriatric team, or social worker for an assessment.

Good to know: Often one of the best VA starting points for ongoing assistance with activities of daily living.

VA Skilled Home Health Care

Best fit: Veterans needing skilled nursing or therapy at home after illness, hospitalization, or for continuing medical needs.

Helps pay for: Skilled nursing, case management, physical/occupational/speech therapy, wound care, IV therapy, and other authorized skilled services.

Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA eligibility, availability, and authorization.

How to start: Ask VA treating team or discharge planner about Skilled Home Health Care.

Good to know: Medical home health, not a substitute for unlimited companion/personal care.

Veteran-Directed Care

Best fit: Eligible veterans who need personal care/ADL help and want more control over who provides it.

Helps pay for: Flexible budget for approved home/community services; veteran or representative may hire workers, potentially including family, friends, or neighbors.

Who qualifies: Veteran must be enrolled, eligible for community care, meet clinical criteria, and have VDC available locally.

How to start: Ask the VA social worker specifically about Veteran-Directed Care and local availability.

Good to know: Services vary by location and assessed need. VDC is distinct from Aid and Attendance and from the Community Care Network.

VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound pension increase

Best fit: Certain wartime veterans or survivors who qualify for VA pension and meet Aid & Attendance or Housebound criteria.

Helps pay for: Additional monthly pension income that can be used toward home care, personal care, or other living expenses.

Who qualifies: Must first meet VA pension eligibility plus medical/functional criteria for Aid & Attendance or Housebound.

How to start: Use an accredited VA representative or Virginia DVS benefits office to review eligibility and file a claim.

Good to know: This is not health insurance and does not directly authorize an agency. It is additional pension income for eligible veterans/survivors.

VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

Best fit: Eligible veterans with significant service-connected needs and an approved primary family caregiver.

Helps pay for: Monthly caregiver stipend plus training, counseling, respite, and other benefits; CHAMPVA may be available to some caregivers.

Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet current PCAFC eligibility and assessment requirements.

How to start: Contact the VA Caregiver Support Team or apply through VA.

Good to know: High-value program but eligibility is narrower than many families expect; it is not a general stipend for all veteran caregivers.

VA Community Care Network (CCN) — Virginia Region 1 / Optum

Best fit: Veterans whom VA authorizes to receive care from community providers instead of directly from a VA facility.

Helps pay for: Authorized community care that may include home health, hospice, rehabilitation, and other services included in the VA referral.

Who qualifies: VA health-care eligibility plus community-care criteria and advance referral/authorization for routine care.

How to start: Start with the VA care team/referral coordination; Virginia is CCN Region 1 managed by Optum.

Good to know: Do not self-hire a home-care provider assuming VA reimbursement. The referral/authorization controls what VA will pay.

VA Respite Care, Adult Day Health Care, and Home-Based Primary Care

Best fit: Eligible veterans whose home-care plan requires caregiver relief, structured day services, or complex primary care at home.

Helps pay for: Respite in the home or other setting, adult day health, and team-based home primary care depending on clinical need and local availability.

Who qualifies: VA enrollment/eligibility, clinical need, service availability, and authorization; copays may apply.

How to start: Ask the VA social worker or geriatric care team for a full home/community-based services assessment.

Good to know: Ask about multiple VA programs together; combining services may reduce privately purchased hours.

Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) benefit service offices

Best fit: Virginia veterans, spouses, survivors, and family members seeking federal/state benefits.

Helps pay for: Free help identifying and applying for VA pension, disability, survivor, health, caregiver, and other benefits that may help fund care.

Who qualifies: Virginia veterans and eligible family members seeking benefits assistance.

How to start: Use the DVS location finder; Virginia DVS reports 38 benefit service offices.

Good to know: DVS does not itself pay private home-care bills, but accredited benefit assistance can be critical to accessing VA-funded pathways.

Medicare, Virginia Medicaid, VA, or private-insurance hospice benefit

Best fit: People with a terminal illness who elect hospice and meet payer requirements.

Helps pay for: Nursing, hospice aides/homemaker services, medications related to the terminal illness, equipment, counseling, short-term respite, and crisis-level care when criteria are met.

Who qualifies: Requires hospice eligibility and election under the applicable payer.

How to start: Ask the treating clinician or insurer; Medicare beneficiaries can use Medicare-certified hospice providers.

Good to know: Hospice is not a general 24/7 custodial home-care benefit. Routine aide visit frequency is determined by the hospice plan of care.

Workers compensation, auto insurance, liability settlement, or court-ordered damages

Best fit: People whose need for home care stems from a workplace injury, motor-vehicle crash, malpractice, or other compensable event.

Helps pay for: Depending on policy, claim, settlement, or court order: attendant care, home health, home modifications, transportation, and related services.

Who qualifies: Depends on the underlying claim, policy language, medical necessity, authorization, and settlement terms.

How to start: Contact the insurer, workers-comp carrier, claims adjuster, or attorney handling the case.

Good to know: Coverage is case-specific. Preserve medical documentation and do not settle a claim without considering future care costs.

Local Virginia real-estate tax exemption or deferral for elderly or disabled homeowners

Best fit: Qualifying homeowners age 65+ or permanently/totally disabled in localities that offer tax relief.

Helps pay for: Reduces or defers local real-estate taxes, potentially freeing household cash for home-care expenses.

Who qualifies: Local income, net-worth, age/disability, ownership, and occupancy limits apply; programs vary by locality.

How to start: Check the county/city treasurer or commissioner of the revenue for the local program.

Good to know: This does not pay caregivers directly. Virginia law authorizes localities to provide exemptions/deferrals, but each locality sets its own program within state law.

Local nonprofits, disease-specific charities, faith communities, HFC dementia-care grants, volunteer respite, and 211 referrals

Best fit: Families who need help filling gaps not covered by insurance or public programs.

Helps pay for: May help with respite, caregiver relief, transportation, meals, equipment, home modifications, or limited in-home care depending on the organization.

Who qualifies: Varies widely by program, diagnosis, geography, income, funding, and application cycle.

How to start: Use Virginia Easy Access, local AAA, 211 Virginia, hospital social work, and disease-specific organizations to identify current grants.

Good to know: Treat charitable support as supplemental and time-limited. DARS specifically points dementia caregivers to AAA services, Lifespan Respite, and HFC grant opportunities.

Employer caregiver benefits, EAP, paid leave, flexible work, backup-care benefits, and FMLA job protection

Best fit: Working family caregivers balancing employment and care responsibilities.

Helps pay for: May preserve wages, pay for limited backup care, provide referrals, or protect unpaid leave depending on employer benefits and federal/state law.

Who qualifies: Employer plan and FMLA eligibility rules apply. Virginia PFML benefits are not available until December 2028.

How to start: Ask HR for the Summary Plan Description, EAP, backup-care benefit, leave bank, and flexible-work policies.

Good to know: FMLA generally protects eligible unpaid leave; it does not itself pay for home care. Employer-specific benefits may be more generous.