How to Pay for In-Home Care
How to Pay for Home Care in Wisconsin
Jump to a state to see its Medicaid programs, waivers, and other ways to help pay for in-home care.
This directory lists Wisconsin-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. Wisconsin's strongest state-specific pathways include Family Care, IRIS self-directed supports (including IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care), Family Care Partnership and PACE in participating counties, Children's Long-Term Support and CCOP, and caregiver-support programs, and VA benefits are broken out because they can be one of the strongest payment pathways for eligible Wisconsin veterans and surviving spouses.
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by Valerie VanBooven, RN, BSN
Wisconsin Medicaid / Managed LTSS
Family Care
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid long-term care program that can fund a broad package of home- and community-based services so eligible older adults and adults with disabilities can remain at home when possible.
Who qualifies: Age 18+; frail elder or adult with disability; Medicaid eligible; functionally eligible through the Long-Term Care Functional Screen; long-term care condition expected to last more than 90 days.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS for screening and enrollment counseling.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through self-directed supports
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Self-Direction
Family Care Self-Directed Supports (SDS)
YesHelps pay for: Lets a member self-direct one or more services, often in-home care, with control over who provides services and potentially hiring, training, supervising and firing workers.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in Family Care; services must be in the benefit package, support an approved long-term care outcome and be cost-effective. MCO and employment/payroll rules apply.
How to start: Tell the MCO care team you want to explore self-directed supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - worker may be a family member or friend when approved
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care
Family Care Personal Care
YesHelps pay for: Can pay for physician-ordered help with bathing, eating, dressing, medications, grooming, meal preparation, mobility, toileting, transferring and related daily tasks.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; physician order; assessed need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team to assess personal care needs and SDS options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes under an approved SDS arrangement; otherwise provider-based
Family Care Supportive Home Care
YesHelps pay for: Can fund assistance with daily living and personal needs plus routine housekeeping, cooking, laundry, major household tasks and community safety.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility and MCO authorization based on assessed outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
How to start: Discuss home-care, household and supervision needs with the MCO care team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through SDS
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Respite
Family Care Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Provides short-term relief for family or other primary caregivers in the home or approved out-of-home settings.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; caregiver need and service authorization in the member-centered plan.
How to start: Ask the care team to add respite to the care plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage; respite provider may be selected through SDS when allowed
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Nutrition
Family Care Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can pay for one or two delivered meals a day when a member cannot safely prepare or obtain appropriate meals.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility, assessed nutritional need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team whether home-delivered meals fit the plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Safety
Family Care Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can provide a phone or electronic emergency-response system that supports safer independent living.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; assessed need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team about PERS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Accessibility
Family Care Home Modifications
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund ramps, stair or wheelchair lifts, kitchen/bathroom modifications and other approved safety/accessibility adaptations.
Who qualifies: Modification must address an assessed long-term care outcome and be authorized by the MCO before work begins.
How to start: Request an accessibility/home-safety assessment through the care team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Technology
Family Care Assistive Technology & Specialized Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover approved devices, software, adaptive aids, service dogs, specialized medical equipment and supplies that improve functioning and independence.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; assessed need, benefit rules and MCO authorization apply.
How to start: Discuss technology/equipment needs with the care team before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Family Care Remote Monitoring & Support
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund live remote caregiver support plus sensors, monitors and two-way communication devices when the member voluntarily chooses the service.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; written member choice, assessed need and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team whether remote support can safely reduce in-person supervision needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct family wage unless separately approved
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Transportation
Family Care Community Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can pay for community transportation tied to the care plan, including fares, mileage or approved drivers; 2025 waiver changes expanded provider options including individual drivers.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; transportation must support an approved care-plan outcome and satisfy provider/authorization rules.
How to start: Ask the care team about community transportation and self-directed driver options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes - individual/family drivers may qualify under program rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Transition
Family Care Relocation Services
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover one-time costs to move from an institution or residential setting to a home/apartment, including moving, security deposit, utility setup and basic furnishings.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; qualifying transition and prior MCO authorization.
How to start: Coordinate with facility discharge staff and the MCO care team before the move.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Caregiver Support
Training Services for Unpaid Caregivers
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can train unpaid caregivers on treatments, equipment and other care-plan services and on how to keep the member safe in the community.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; training must support services in the member-centered plan.
How to start: Ask the MCO care team about caregiver training.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage - training benefit
Wisconsin Medicaid / Family Care / Medical
Family Care Home Health & Nursing
Yes - skilled/home healthHelps pay for: Can authorize home health agency services, nursing, home health aide, personal care and therapies when needed within the Family Care benefit package.
Who qualifies: Family Care eligibility; clinical need, orders where required and MCO authorization.
How to start: Ask the care team and treating clinician about home health or nursing.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally provider-based; SDS rules depend on service
Wisconsin Medicaid + Medicare / Integrated Care
Family Care Partnership
YesHelps pay for: Integrates Medicaid long-term care with health care for eligible older adults and adults with disabilities in participating counties; can arrange home/community services through an MCO.
Who qualifies: Age 18+; Medicaid and functional eligibility; Partnership is only offered in some counties. Medicare coordination applies for dual-eligible members.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS to check availability and eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes through self-directed supports
PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
YesHelps pay for: Integrated health, prescription and long-term care program designed to help eligible adults age 55+ remain safely in the community; some services are provided at home.
Who qualifies: Age 55+; nursing-home level of care; able to live safely in the community with help; must live in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine or Waukesha County.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC for PACE enrollment counseling.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No direct caregiver cash program
Wisconsin Medicaid + Medicare / Self-Direction
Partnership Self-Directed Supports
YesHelps pay for: Allows eligible Partnership members to self-direct selected services, including some in-home care, with more control over workers and schedules.
Who qualifies: Must be enrolled in Partnership; underlying service, care-plan, MCO, worker and payroll requirements apply.
How to start: Ask the Partnership care team about SDS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family member or friend may be selected when approved
Wisconsin Medicaid / Self-Directed LTSS
IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct)
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed Medicaid long-term care program in which participants choose supports and providers, manage an individualized budget and hire/manage workers within program rules.
Who qualifies: Wisconsin resident age 18+; older adult or adult with disability; Medicaid enrolled; functionally eligible; must live in an eligible community setting.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS to complete functional/financial eligibility and choose IRIS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - participant-hired workers may include relatives depending on service and role rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Self-Direction
IRIS Participant-Hired Workers (PHWs)
YesHelps pay for: Lets the participant act as employer, choose workers and have the fiscal employer agent handle background checks, payroll, taxes and related employer administration.
Who qualifies: IRIS enrollment; approved service plan/budget; worker qualifications, background check, employment agreement and service-specific rules apply.
How to start: Work with the IRIS consultant and fiscal employer agent to set up the worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - relatives may be hired when the service permits and conflicts are avoided
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Personal Care
IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care (SDPC)
YesHelps pay for: For participants who qualify for Medicaid Personal Care, SDPC lets them hire, train and oversee their own personal care workers for needs such as dressing, bathing and eating.
Who qualifies: Must be in IRIS and meet Medicaid Personal Care criteria; SDPC cannot be used simultaneously with agency-based Medicaid Personal Care. A nurse and doctor help establish the plan.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant for an SDPC referral/assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family members may provide care
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Paid Family Caregiver
IRIS SDPC Family-Member Caregiver
YesHelps pay for: Wisconsin expressly allows an IRIS SDPC participant to hire family members as personal care workers, creating a direct paid-family-caregiver pathway.
Who qualifies: Worker must meet SDPC requirements; the person representing the participant in SDPC cannot also provide the personal care. Other conflict-of-interest and employment rules apply.
How to start: Tell the IRIS consultant/SDPC nurse that a family member is the proposed worker.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes - family members explicitly allowed
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Home Care
IRIS Supportive Home Care
YesHelps pay for: Can fund routine or daily supportive home care for help with activities, household tasks, safety and other approved supports in the participant’s home/community.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; assessed need; service must be allowable, included in the IRIS Service Plan and fit within the approved budget. EVV applies to routine supportive home care.
How to start: Discuss supportive home care hours and worker choice with the IRIS consultant.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes when an eligible relative is hired as a PHW under service rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Live-In Support
IRIS Live-In Caregiver
YesHelps pay for: The IRIS waiver includes live-in caregiver services among covered HCBS, supporting participants who need ongoing help in their community residence.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; assessed need; allowable living arrangement, worker qualifications, service-plan authorization and budget rules.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant whether live-in caregiver service fits the assessed need.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Potentially - depends on approved worker relationship and service rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Respite
IRIS Respite
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can fund approved respite to give unpaid primary caregivers short-term relief.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; respite must meet assessed need, service definition and budget/plan requirements.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant to include respite in the service plan.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not an ongoing wage for the primary unpaid caregiver; participant can select an eligible respite provider
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Nutrition
IRIS Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund allowable home-delivered meals when tied to assessed needs and included in the approved IRIS plan.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; assessed need; allowable service and approved budget.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant about meal supports.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Safety
IRIS Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund an approved emergency-response system to support independence and reduce safety risk.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; assessed need; item/service must be allowable and included in the plan/budget.
How to start: Discuss PERS with the IRIS consultant before purchase.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Transportation
IRIS Transportation
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund approved transportation related to community living and service-plan outcomes, including participant-directed arrangements when allowable.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; transportation must be allowable, tied to an assessed outcome and included in the plan/budget.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant about transportation and driver options.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes - depending on approved driver/provider arrangement
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Accessibility
IRIS Home Modifications & Assistive Equipment
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund approved accessibility changes, ramps, equipment, devices and other supports that help a participant live safely and independently.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; assessed need; prior approval/service-plan and one-time-expense rules may apply.
How to start: Request an accessibility assessment and approval before buying or starting work.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Medical
IRIS Nursing
Yes - skilled nursingHelps pay for: The IRIS waiver includes nursing among covered HCBS when clinically needed and authorized in the participant’s plan.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; clinical need; licensed provider and service-plan/budget rules apply.
How to start: Discuss nursing needs with the IRIS consultant and treating clinician.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Only if provider/worker satisfies professional and program requirements
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Support Services
IRIS Counseling, Training & Support Services
Partial / supportHelps pay for: Can include counseling and other participant/caregiver support services that help maintain safe community living.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; service must be allowable, assessed, documented in the plan and fit within budget.
How to start: Ask the IRIS consultant what counseling/training services can be authorized.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Wisconsin Medicaid / IRIS / Transition
IRIS Relocation / One-Time Expenses
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can fund approved one-time items or services, including certain accessibility or transition expenses, when necessary to meet assessed outcomes.
Who qualifies: IRIS eligibility; one-time expense must satisfy service-definition, cost-effectiveness, prior approval and budget rules.
How to start: Submit the need through the IRIS consultant before purchase or commitment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Medicaid / State Plan
Medicaid Personal Care Services
YesHelps pay for: Agency-based Medicaid personal care can provide physician-ordered assistance with daily activities under RN supervision for eligible members.
Who qualifies: Medicaid coverage; physician order, assessment/plan of care, medical necessity, provider enrollment and prior authorization where required.
How to start: Ask a physician and Medicaid-certified personal care agency about assessment and authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally agency-employed worker; IRIS SDPC is the main self-directed family-member route
Medicaid Home Health
Yes - skilled/home healthHelps pay for: Can cover medically necessary home health services such as skilled nursing, home health aide and therapy through certified providers.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility; medical necessity, orders, certified provider and prior authorization/coverage rules apply.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician and Medicaid-certified home health agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Generally no direct family wage
Medicaid Private Duty Nursing (PDN)
Yes - skilled nursingHelps pay for: Can cover medically necessary private duty nursing for eligible members with complex needs when ForwardHealth criteria and prior authorization are met.
Who qualifies: Medicaid eligibility; medical necessity; licensed nurse/provider enrollment and prior authorization requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician/home health provider about PDN authorization.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Family payment only if worker is independently qualified/enrolled and program rules allow; not a general family-caregiver benefit
Wisconsin Medicaid / Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Provides or pays for transportation to covered Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus medical appointments when a member has no other way to get there.
Who qualifies: Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus eligibility; ride must be to a covered service and scheduled/approved under NEMT rules.
How to start: Use Wisconsin Medicaid NEMT scheduling resources before the appointment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No caregiver wage; mileage reimbursement may apply under transportation rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / Working with Disability
Medicaid Purchase Plan (MAPP)
Indirect / enables Medicaid coverageHelps pay for: Lets qualifying people with disabilities who are working or interested in working buy Medicaid coverage, which can open access to covered home-care and LTSS benefits when otherwise eligible.
Who qualifies: Must have a qualifying disability and meet MAPP work, income, asset and premium rules.
How to start: Apply through ACCESS or the local income-maintenance agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on underlying authorized home-care program
Wisconsin SSI / Cash Support
SSI Exceptional Expense Supplement (SSI-E)
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Adds a monthly Wisconsin cash supplement for eligible SSI recipients with high long-term support needs, including people living in their own household who need at least 40 hours of primary long-term support services per month.
Who qualifies: Must receive SSI and meet SSI-E living/expense and long-term-support criteria. DHS states the SSI-E supplement is $105.59 per month in 2026.
How to start: Contact the ADRC, county agency, MCO or IRIS consultant for an SSI-E assessment.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly - cash can help with household/care expenses
Wisconsin Medicaid / Children
Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program
YesHelps pay for: Medicaid HCBS waiver for children and young adults with disabilities that can fund supports and services so they can live and participate at home and in the community.
Who qualifies: Generally under age 22; qualifying intellectual, physical or severe emotional disability; functional eligibility and community setting requirements apply.
How to start: Contact the county CLTS program for the children’s functional screen and service planning.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Some family/unpaid caregiver supports are covered; paid-worker rules vary by service
Katie Beckett Medicaid
Indirect / medical home care may be coveredHelps pay for: Provides full Medicaid health coverage to qualifying children under 19 with disabilities or complex needs even when parental income/assets are too high for other Medicaid pathways.
Who qualifies: Under 19; disability and institutional level-of-care criteria; safe community care and cost-effectiveness rules; child’s own income limit applies.
How to start: Apply through Katie Beckett Medicaid eligibility staff / ACCESS.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No general caregiver wage
Wisconsin Medicaid / CLTS / Respite
CLTS Respite Care
Yes - respiteHelps pay for: Can pay for respite to give family/unpaid caregivers a break while supporting the child safely at home or in the community.
Who qualifies: CLTS eligibility; assessed family need; service-plan authorization and provider requirements.
How to start: Ask the support and service coordinator to assess respite needs.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not an ongoing wage to the primary caregiver; eligible respite providers may include people selected by the family subject to rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / CLTS / Personal Supports
CLTS Personal Supports
YesHelps pay for: Can fund hands-on or supervisory personal supports that help a child complete daily living tasks and participate at home/community.
Who qualifies: CLTS eligibility; assessed need; service included in the individual service plan and delivered by an enrolled/qualified provider.
How to start: Discuss personal support needs with the support and service coordinator.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on worker relationship and CLTS provider rules
Wisconsin Medicaid / CLTS / Accessibility
CLTS Assistive Technology, Home Modifications & PERS
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Can cover assistive technology, home modifications, PERS and related specialized supports; these are among services paid at market rate rather than the statewide rate schedule.
Who qualifies: CLTS eligibility; assessed need; prior authorization/service-plan rules and provider qualifications apply.
How to start: Request assessment and authorization before buying equipment or starting modifications.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Children / Flexible State Funding
Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP)
SometimesHelps pay for: State/local flexible funding for children with disabilities; can pay for supports or one-time needs that are not covered by insurance, Medicaid or CLTS.
Who qualifies: Child younger than 22, disability, eligible community setting and functional eligibility; county assessment and available funding apply.
How to start: Contact the county health and human services agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Not a general caregiver wage; flexible supports are based on the family plan
Wisconsin Aging / Caregiver Support
National Family Caregiver Support Program
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Statewide aging-network program offering respite, counseling, education, support groups, home chore/home safety help and limited supplemental services for eligible family caregivers.
Who qualifies: Caregiver relationship/age rules apply; includes caregivers of adults 60+, some older relative caregivers and primary caregivers of adults with severe disability. Low-income and dementia families are prioritized.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS and ask for a caregiver program specialist.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Wisconsin Aging / Dementia Caregiver Support
Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program (AFCSP)
Yes / respite / cost offsetHelps pay for: County/Tribal funds help caregivers purchase services and goods that keep a person with Alzheimer’s or another irreversible dementia in the community, including in-home help, respite, transportation, meals and safety equipment.
Who qualifies: Doctor-confirmed Alzheimer’s or irreversible dementia; community/home setting; local priorities and funding apply. DHS states members may receive up to $4,000 depending on county priorities and need.
How to start: Contact the county/Tribal aging office or local ADRC.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Wisconsin Aging / Dementia Support
Dementia Care Specialist Program
Offsets care cost / navigationHelps pay for: Free ADRC/Tribal specialist support for people with memory concerns or dementia and their caregivers, including care planning, safety strategies, transitions and connection to respite/community resources.
Who qualifies: Available through participating ADRCs/Tribal ADRS; no Medicaid enrollment required for information/support.
How to start: Call the local ADRC and request a dementia care specialist.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Aging / Nutrition
Elder Nutrition Program - Home-Delivered Meals
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Provides home-delivered meals to eligible homebound adults age 60+, reducing food costs and caregiver time spent shopping/preparing meals.
Who qualifies: Generally age 60+; home-delivered meals require a home visit and local eligibility determination. Contributions are requested but inability to donate does not necessarily bar service.
How to start: Contact the local ADRC or Tribal ADRS for the local meal provider.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Wisconsin Aging / Local Supports
ADRC Transportation & Local In-Home Support Referrals
Varies / cost offsetHelps pay for: ADRCs can connect older adults and people with disabilities to local transportation, adult day, respite, in-home care providers, legal/benefit help and other community services that may reduce private-pay care.
Who qualifies: Services and financial eligibility vary by county, Tribe, provider and funding source. ADRC information and options counseling are free.
How to start: Call the statewide ADRC number to reach the local center.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Varies by local program
Wisconsin Aging / Prescription Cost Offset
SeniorCare Prescription Drug Assistance
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Wisconsin program for residents age 65+ that helps pay for prescription drugs and vaccines, preserving income that can be used for home care and other living expenses.
Who qualifies: Wisconsin resident; age 65+; citizenship/immigration rules; annual enrollment fee and income-based coverage level. Cannot be enrolled in full-benefit Medicaid.
How to start: Apply through SeniorCare; coverage begins the month after application if approved.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Medicare
Medicare Home Health Benefit
Yes - skilled/home healthHelps pay for: Medicare can cover qualifying intermittent skilled nursing, therapy and home health aide services for eligible homebound beneficiaries under a physician/provider plan of care.
Who qualifies: Medicare eligibility; homebound status and qualifying skilled need; Medicare-certified home health agency and ordering provider requirements.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician to certify the need and refer to a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No general family-caregiver wage
Medicare / Dementia
CMS GUIDE Dementia Model
Partial / respiteHelps pay for: Participating GUIDE providers can coordinate dementia care and caregiver support; eligible beneficiaries may receive respite services through the model depending on program tier and provider participation.
Who qualifies: Traditional Medicare beneficiary with qualifying dementia; must receive care from a participating GUIDE practice and meet model criteria.
How to start: Ask the dementia clinician whether the practice participates in GUIDE or use CMS resources to find a participant.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No ongoing caregiver wage
Medicare / Caregiver Training
Medicare Caregiver Training Services
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Medicare may cover caregiver training when it is needed to help a caregiver safely assist with a patient’s treatment plan.
Who qualifies: Must meet Medicare coverage criteria and be ordered/provided as part of covered treatment; patient consent rules apply.
How to start: Ask the treating clinician whether caregiver training can be billed under Medicare.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No wage - training benefit
Medicare Cost Reduction
Medicare Savings Programs
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Wisconsin Medicaid may pay some Medicare premiums and, for certain categories, other Medicare cost sharing, preserving household income for care.
Who qualifies: Medicare enrollment plus category-specific income/assets and other eligibility rules; QMB, SLMB, SLMB+ and QDWI categories differ.
How to start: Apply through ACCESS/local agency or ask the Wisconsin Medigap Helpline.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Food Assistance
FoodShare Wisconsin
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Monthly nutrition assistance can reduce grocery spending, leaving more household income available for care and other necessities.
Who qualifies: Household income and program eligibility rules apply; 2026 federal eligibility changes affect some non-citizens.
How to start: Apply through ACCESS or the local income-maintenance agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Income Support
Wisconsin State SSI Supplement
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Wisconsin adds a state payment to federal SSI for eligible recipients; cash can help pay basic living expenses and indirectly preserve resources for care.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for federal SSI; state payment amounts vary by living arrangement and couple status.
How to start: Apply for SSI through Social Security; Wisconsin state supplement is linked to SSI eligibility.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly
Utility Assistance
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Helps eligible households with heating and electric bills and energy crises, reducing essential household costs.
Who qualifies: Income and program-year rules apply; 2025-26 guidelines use up to 60% of Wisconsin median income.
How to start: Apply online or through the local WHEAP agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Cost Reduction
Wisconsin Weatherization Assistance Program
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Provides energy-efficiency upgrades for eligible households, reducing ongoing heating/energy costs and helping make the home safer and more comfortable.
Who qualifies: Income/program rules and local provider selection apply; WHEAP applicants may be referred for weatherization.
How to start: Apply for WHEAP/Weatherization through the local agency.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Home Energy Plus HVAC / Water Conservation Services
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Can repair or replace unsafe/inoperable heating systems and, in qualifying utility territories, leaking or non-working water heaters for eligible households.
Who qualifies: WHEAP eligibility and program-specific property/utility requirements apply; local agency referral required.
How to start: Contact the local WHEAP agency for eligibility and referral.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Tax Relief
Wisconsin Homestead Credit
Offsets household costHelps pay for: Refundable state tax credit for qualifying renters/homeowners, including many adults age 62+ or disabled people, which can preserve cash for home care.
Who qualifies: Must meet Wisconsin homestead-credit residency, household income, property tax/rent and age/disability/earned-income rules.
How to start: Review current Wisconsin Department of Revenue qualifications and file the homestead credit claim.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
Private Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance
Yes - if policy covers home careHelps pay for: A private long-term care policy may reimburse or pay for covered home care, personal care, homemaker or other services depending on the contract and elimination period.
Who qualifies: Must own an in-force policy and satisfy benefit triggers, elimination periods, daily/monthly limits and provider requirements.
How to start: Review the policy and start a claim with the insurer before arranging extensive care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes indirectly depending on policy and provider requirements
Private Insurance / Medicaid Planning
Wisconsin Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership
Yes - if policy covers home careHelps pay for: Qualifying Partnership policies can pay long-term care and provide Medicaid resource/estate-recovery protection equal to benefits paid under the policy.
Who qualifies: Must own a qualifying Wisconsin Partnership long-term care policy and satisfy policy benefit triggers; Medicaid eligibility rules still apply.
How to start: Ask the insurer/agent whether the policy is Partnership-qualified and keep benefit records.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Depends on policy
Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation Home Health / Attendant Care
SometimesHelps pay for: For a compensable work injury, workers compensation may pay medically necessary home health, nursing or attendant-care services when authorized.
Who qualifies: Must arise from a covered work injury; medical necessity and insurer/legal authorization requirements apply.
How to start: Ask the workers-comp carrier, treating clinician or attorney about home/attendant care coverage.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Sometimes - case-specific and subject to workers-comp rules
VA Benefits
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may pay an authorized community aide to help an eligible Veteran with activities of daily living and selected daily tasks.
Who qualifies: VA enrollment/community-care eligibility, clinical need and local availability; copay may apply.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or primary care team.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide
YesHelps pay for: VA may purchase in-home aide services for eligible Veterans who need help with ADLs and daily tasks.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, VA enrollment/community-care eligibility and local availability. Ask the VA primary care team or social worker for assessment/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 (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Self-directed budget for personal care and community supports; Veteran/representative can recruit and supervise workers.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical need; local program availability. Ask VA 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: Yes - family/neighbors may be workers subject to rules
VA Skilled Home Health
Yes - skilled careHelps pay for: VA may authorize skilled nursing, therapy and related home-health services from VA or community providers.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, eligibility and VA authorization. Request skilled home-health assessment/referral from VA care team.
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: Short-term in-home, adult-day or institutional respite can give caregivers a break.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, enrollment and local availability; authorization rules apply. Ask VA social worker/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
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Extra pension amount for qualifying Veteran/survivor who needs help with ADLs, is bedridden, has severe vision impairment or meets other criteria.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for VA pension and A&A medical/financial criteria. Apply through VA or accredited representative.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Aid & Attendance.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)
Direct caregiver stipendHelps pay for: Monthly stipend and additional supports for an approved primary family caregiver of an eligible Veteran.
Who qualifies: Veteran and caregiver must meet PCAFC eligibility and complete VA assessment/enrollment. Apply jointly through VA Caregiver Support.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Community Care Network - Region 2
Pays authorized providerHelps pay for: VA-authorized community care may include home health and other approved services. Wisconsin is in CCN Region 2; Optum administers Regions 1-3.
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
VA Pension
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Needs-based monthly cash benefit for qualifying wartime Veterans or survivors; can be used toward living and care expenses.
Who qualifies: Wartime service plus age/disability and net-worth/income rules. Apply through VA or accredited representative.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Pension.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly
Housebound Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional pension amount for some pension-eligible Veterans substantially confined to the home because of permanent disability.
Who qualifies: Must qualify for pension plus housebound criteria; cannot generally receive both A&A and housebound add-ons. Apply with pension/A&A-housebound forms and medical evidence.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Housebound Pension Add-On.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
Offsets care costHelps pay for: Grant for medically necessary home improvements/structural alterations such as accessibility changes.
Who qualifies: Veteran must meet HISA clinical/eligibility rules; prescribed improvement and approval required. Ask VA prosthetics/rehabilitation or care team before starting work.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA).
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Adult Day Health Care
Offsets care cost / day careHelps pay for: Therapeutic daytime health, rehabilitation and social services can reduce in-home supervision needs for eligible Veterans.
Who qualifies: Clinical need, enrollment/eligibility and local availability. Ask the VA social worker about adult day health care.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Adult Day Health Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Hospice Care
Yes - hospiceHelps pay for: VA can arrange hospice/palliative services, often including home-based support, for eligible Veterans with advanced illness.
Who qualifies: Clinical eligibility and VA/hospice authorization requirements. Ask VA care team for hospice/palliative consultation.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker or care team about VA Hospice Care.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: No
VA Benefits / Self-Direction
Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
YesHelps pay for: Provides a flexible self-directed budget for eligible Veterans needing personal care; workers may include family or neighbors subject to program rules and local availability.
Who qualifies: Enrolled Veteran; community-care eligibility; clinical criteria and local VDC availability.
How to start: Ask the VA social worker whether VDC is available through the Veteran’s VA medical center.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes
VA Benefits / Cash
VA Aid & Attendance Pension Add-On
Cash / indirectHelps pay for: Additional monthly VA pension amount for qualifying Veterans or survivors who need help with daily activities or meet other criteria; cash can be used toward care.
Who qualifies: Must first qualify for VA pension plus Aid & Attendance criteria; medical, service and financial rules apply.
How to start: Apply through VA or an accredited representative.
Good to know: Family caregiver payment: Yes indirectly
Where Wisconsin Families Can Start
Not sure where to begin? Match your situation to a contact below.
Best first stop for adult long-term care options, Family Care/Partnership/PACE/IRIS enrollment counseling, caregiver help, dementia support and local services
Wisconsin Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)
Medicaid eligibility/coverage questions, personal care, home health, PDN and general benefit navigation
Wisconsin Medicaid / ForwardHealth Member Services
IRIS program questions, participant support and help identifying partner agencies
IRIS Call Center
SDPC assessment, nurse oversight and family-member personal-care worker questions
IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care
Program eligibility, enrollment and MCO selection through the ADRC
Family Care / Partnership / PACE
County-based supports for children with disabilities; intake, functional screening, respite and other services
Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) / CCOP
Medicaid eligibility for children with significant disabilities/complex medical needs
Katie Beckett Medicaid
Free statewide children’s resource navigation for delays, disabilities, special health care needs and mental health conditions
Wisconsin Wayfinder
Prescription drug/vaccine assistance for Wisconsin residents age 65+
SeniorCare
Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare coverage and supplemental-insurance counseling
Wisconsin Medigap Helpline
WHEAP, heating/electric assistance, weatherization and HVAC/water-heater support
Wisconsin Home Energy Plus
VA caregiver programs, respite/support navigation and connection to Wisconsin VA caregiver support coordinators
VA Caregiver Support Line
Before You Rely on Any Payment Source
Planning Point
Why It Matters
Start with the ADRC
For adults who may need long-term care, Wisconsin’s statewide ADRC network is the main doorway for options counseling, the Long-Term Care Functional Screen and enrollment help for Family Care, Partnership, PACE and IRIS. Call 844-WIS-ADRC (844-947-2372).
Family Care and IRIS use different delivery models
Family Care is managed by an MCO care team. IRIS is participant-directed: the participant chooses supports/providers and manages an individualized budget with an IRIS consultant and fiscal employer agent.
Family Care SDS can use family or friends
Wisconsin Family Care/Partnership self-directed supports can let a member choose who provides services; DHS specifically gives a family member, friend or agency as examples. The MCO must still authorize the service and employment/payment rules apply.
IRIS SDPC is a clear paid-family-caregiver pathway
DHS explicitly states that IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care participants may hire family members to provide personal care. The person who represents the participant in SDPC cannot also be the personal care worker.
Agency Medicaid Personal Care and IRIS SDPC cannot run at the same time
A person who qualifies for Medicaid Personal Care can choose agency-based care through ForwardHealth or IRIS SDPC while in IRIS, but cannot receive both personal-care delivery models simultaneously.
Family Care benefits are broad, but authorization is outcome- and cost-based
Family Care’s benefit package includes personal care, supportive home care, respite, meals, PERS, home modifications, remote monitoring, transportation, relocation and other services. The MCO must approve services that meet outcomes in a cost-effective way.
PACE is geographically limited
Wisconsin PACE currently serves Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine and Waukesha counties. Adults outside those counties should ask the ADRC about Family Care, Partnership or IRIS instead.
SSI-E is a small but unusually targeted cash supplement
Wisconsin SSI-E can add $105.59 per month in 2026 for eligible SSI recipients; people living in a household can qualify when they need at least 40 hours of primary long-term support services per month and meet the other rules.
Children have separate LTSS pathways
CLTS is the Medicaid HCBS program for children with disabilities and can cover respite, personal supports, family/unpaid caregiver supports, assistive technology and modifications. CCOP can fund flexible needs not covered by Medicaid/insurance/CLTS.
AFCSP can provide meaningful dementia-caregiver help
Wisconsin’s Alzheimer’s Family and Caregiver Support Program may provide up to $4,000 per member depending on county priorities and need, for supports such as in-home help, respite, transportation, meals and safety equipment.
Medicare is not a general long-term custodial-care payer
Medicare home health is tied to qualifying skilled/intermittent needs and does not replace Medicaid HCBS, private-pay home care or long-term care insurance for ongoing custodial assistance alone.
Wisconsin is VA Community Care Network Region 2
VA lists Wisconsin in CCN Region 2, with Optum administering Regions 1-3. Routine community care generally requires VA referral/authorization; do not assume VA will reimburse a privately hired provider after the fact.
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 Wisconsin to help you navigate the application process.
← Back to How to Pay for In-Home CareHome Care Providers in Wisconsin
These providers serve families in Wisconsin and can help you apply what you've learned above to your specific situation.
A Better Solution In Home Care – Milwaukee, WI
Serving Wisconsin
A Better Solution In Home Care – Milwaukee, WI provides home care services in the Milwaukee area.
Communities Served
Milwaukee
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iCare Health Services
Serving Wisconsin
iCare Health Services provides home care services in Wauwatosa, WI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Brookfield, Glendale, Greenfield and surrounding areas
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Talem Home Care – Milwaukee, WI
Serving Wisconsin
Talem Home Care provides home care services in Milwaukee, WI and the surrounding communities it serves.
Services Available
24-Hour Home Care • Companion Care • Personal Care • Dementia & Alzheimer's Care • Respite Care
Communities Served
Brookfield, Butler, Cedarburg and surrounding areas
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