How It Works
Financial Support
Eligible caregivers receive a weekly tax-free stipend payment that could amount to $2,000.00 a month or more.
Your Care Team
Caregivers and Participants are assigned a local Care Coach Team consisting of a Registered Nurse and Licensed Social Worker or highly experience social services representative.
These professionals are there to help you keep your loved ones at home by providing the support you need. Things like providing skills training, information about managing specific health conditions, planning for future needs or help finding other services or community resources that are uniquely helpful to you.
Simple Connectivity
Communicate with your Care Team in real time with access to an online platform that allows you to complete the required daily documentation quickly and easily.
Caregiver Stipends
Even though most caregivers consider it a privilege to care for friends and family members at home, accepting reimbursement isn't selfish; it's realistic. It means putting yourself in an enhanced position to provide the care your loved one needs.
Difficulty of Care Income Exclusion
On January 21, 2014, the IRS issued Notice 2014-7. The Notice explained that the IRS treats certain payments for personal care services as "Difficulty of Care payments," which are excluded from being subject to federal income taxes. The exclusion covers income earned through the provision of personal care services when the Medicaid client and provider live in the same household.
Structured Family Care stipend payments are excluded from income taxes under this provision if all requirements are met.
Want to learn more? Call us today at
1-800-619-1449 to let us tell you everything you need to know about how our caregiver services work.
Who Qualifies for Home Healthcare in Indiana?
Home healthcare eligibility in Indiana is determined by a combination of medical need, Medicaid enrollment status, and the care recipient's age or diagnosis. Friends & Family Caregivers serves families throughout Noblesville, IN, and surrounding Hamilton County communities by helping them navigate these requirements and connect with the right waiver program for their situation.
To understand who qualifies for in-home care in Indiana, it helps to review the core criteria Indiana uses across its Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs:
- The care recipient must be enrolled in, or eligible for, Indiana Medicaid waiver services.
- The individual must require a nursing facility level of care, meaning their functional needs are significant enough to qualify for institutional placement.
- Income may not exceed 300% of the maximum Supplemental Security Income (SSI) amount; parental income for children under 18 is disregarded.
- The individual must reside at home or in an approved community setting, not in a nursing facility.
- Age and diagnosis determine which specific waiver program applies.
What Medicaid Programs Cover In-Home Care?
Indiana's Medicaid waiver structure offers several pathways depending on the participant's age and condition. On July 1, 2024, the former Aged and Disabled Waiver split into two new programs: the Health and Wellness Waiver for individuals 59 and under, and the Indiana PathWays for Aging Waiver for individuals 60 and older. Additional waivers serve other populations:
- Indiana PathWays for Aging Waiver: For individuals age 60 or older who meet nursing facility level of care requirements.
- Health and Wellness Waiver: For individuals under 60 who meet nursing facility level of care requirements.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver: For individuals of any age with a TBI diagnosis.
- Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) and Family Supports Waivers: For children and adults with intellectual or other developmental disabilities.
If the person you care for is enrolled in any of these programs, you may qualify to be paid as their caregiver through Indiana's Structured Family Caregiving program.
How Do I Check My Loved One's Home Healthcare Eligibility?
Checking home healthcare eligibility typically starts with a functional assessment. A specialist from the appropriate agency reviews how much care your loved one needs to determine whether they qualify for the waiver program; this assessment helps the state confirm that your loved one can receive care at home rather than in a nursing facility. For developmental disability waivers, you would contact your local Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) office. For the PathWays or Health and Wellness waivers, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. The application process can take time and some programs may have waiting lists, so it is best to apply as soon as a need for waiver services is identified.
What Happens After Eligibility Is Confirmed?
Once the participant's home healthcare eligibility is verified and a waiver is active, the caregiver enrollment process can begin. Friends & Family Caregivers guides families through the steps, assigns a dedicated Care Coach Team, and handles ongoing documentation support. To learn more about what comes next, visit our home healthcare process page.
Ready to find out if your family qualifies? Call 1-800-619-1449 to speak with a team member who can walk you through your options at no cost.
