If you qualify for Medicaid, you may be eligible to receive pay for providing care for your family members. As with all things involving money and government, there are a lot of hoops to jump through and hills to climb before you see money, but there may be hope. Therefore, let’s take a high-level view of the requirements. This link will help you find your local Social Services Department: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/. The Department of Social Services can review your specific eligibility criteria with you and can help you apply for Medicaid or one of the waivers (if you are eligible) or tell you how to apply to become a paid caregiver.
As I understand it, not everyone who applies receives funding, even if they are eligible. I don’t know how decisions are made about who gets the jobs, but I believe positions are limited by the state budget each year.
Pre-Qualifications
- Applicants must be eligible for Medicaid. Therefore, your first step, if you are interested in receiving pay, is to complete a Medicaid application. Use the link above to contact Social Services, and they can help you get started with that process. You cannot have more than $2000 in qualified assets nor receive more than $2,000 in gross income per month, at maximum, to qualify. There are additional qualifications to meet.
- Once you qualify for Medicaid, you must be approved for one of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) Waiver programs. This is a list of the possible waiver services that you might qualify to use for eligibility status.
Waiver Programs
Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC) Plus
With CCC, an individual receives care in the home or community rather than in a nursing facility or other specialized care medical facility. They meet criteria for needing nursing facility care, are functionally dependent and medically needy, require technological support, substantially skilled nursing care, need safety oversight and care, and are at risk of nursing facility placement if in-home care is not provided.
Available Services Include
* Personal Emergency Response System * Respite Services
* Environmental Modifications * Assistive Technology
* Private Duty Nursing * Transition Services
* Individual Supported Employment * Services Facilitation
* Employment & Community Transportation * Group Day Support Services
* Environmental Modifications * Peer Mentor Supports
* Personal Emergency Response Systems * Adult Day Health Care
* Residential Services * Transition Services
Building Independence (BI)
The BI program is designed for adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 18 and over, who live primarily independently. They use this waiver, supplemented by non-waiver rent subsidies, to pay for their living arrangements, which they own, lease, or rent. They have a diagnosis of a developmental disability. Without this waiver, they would not likely be able to live outside an institutional facility.
Available Services Include
* Assistive Technology * Benefits Planning
* Community Coaching * Community Engagement
* Community Guide * Crisis Services
* Electronic Home-Based Supports
Family and Individual Support Waiver (FIS)
The FIS waiver supports children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities by allowing them to live at home with their families, friends, or in specialized medical care facilities. With the waiver, they can receive care at home or in the community rather than in an Intermediate Care Facility or another specialized medical facility. To receive the waiver, they must meet the criteria for needing treatment at an Intermediate Care Facility or within 30 days and have a diagnosis of a developmental disability. It must also be clear that by using the waiver, the individual is more likely to avoid the need for an intermediate care facility.
Available Services Include:
* Group and Individual Supported Employment * Respite Services
* Skilled and Private Duty Nursing * Assistive Technology
* Individual Supported Employment * Transition Services
* Employment & Community Transportation * Group Day Support Services
* Environmental Modifications * Peer Mentor Supports
* Personal Emergency Response Systems * Services Facilitation
* Residential Services * Therapeutic Consultation
* Companion Services * Meaningful Day Services
* Crisis Services * Electronic Home-Based Supports * Personal Assistance * Benefits Planning
* Workplace Assistance
Community Living (CL) Waiver
The CL Waiver supports children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities by allowing them to live at home with their families and friends or in specialized medical care facilities. The CL waiver is for adults and children who may always require support at home. An individual may need to access residential support, and some people may need to live in these homes with staff to receive support with complex medical and/or behavioral needs.
To receive the waiver, they must meet the criteria for needing treatment at an Intermediate Care Facility or within 30 days and have a diagnosis of a developmental disability. It must also be clear that services under the waiver are critical to the individual’s ability to avoid or delay placement in an institution or Intermediate Care Facility.
Available Services Include:
* Group and Individual Supported Employment * Respite Services
* Skilled and Private Duty Nursing * Assistive Technology
* Workplace Assistance * Transition Services
* Employment & Community Transportation * Group Day Support Services
* Environmental Modifications * Peer Mentor Supports
* Personal Emergency Response Systems * Services Facilitation
* Residential Services * Therapeutic Consultation
* Companion Services * Meaningful Day Services
* Crisis Services * Electronic Home-Based Supports
* Personal Assistance * Benefits Planning
Reference:
https://wwwdss.virginia.gov/localagency
