Can Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Missouri?

Date Updated: July 26, 2024

Written by:

Rachel Lustbader

Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.

Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers

Family members can get paid for caregiving in Missouri. This is achieved through the Consumer Directed Services program’s Personal Care Attendant service. In addition, seniors who are veterans may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits, which they can use to pay a family caregiver.

Common Programs for Family Caregivers in Missouri

Missouri’s Medicaid Consumer Directed Services program allows seniors to get help paying for personal care, health care, housekeeping, meals and transportation at home. Seniors who add the Independent Living Waiver can also use their Medicaid funds to pay for case management, personal care and accessibility adaptations to their home. Because this program allows seniors to direct their own care, it allows them to choose family members as their caregivers.

The VA Aid and Attendance program is a pension paid directly to a homebound veteran to pay for home care. It allows the veteran to pay a family member, with the exception of their spouse, for their personal care.

How To Apply for Family Caregiver Programs in Missouri

To qualify for Medicaid-based funding for family caregivers, seniors must first apply for Medicaid through the MO Healthnet portal. Then, they must apply to the Home and Community-Based Services program. This requires a referral from a provider. Seniors can get more information by calling (866) 835-3505. The Veterans Aid and Attendance program is administered on a federal level. Disabled veterans will apply through their local VA office.