Iowa offers three ways to get paid as a family caregiver.

1. Home and Community Based Services: Elderly Waiver enables elderly and/or disabled adults who require nursing facility level of assistance to receive care at home. This program allows friends and family members to be hired and paid for providing personal care services. Other services range from adult day care and respite care to transportation assistance. 

Program Requirements

• • MUST be a resident of Iowa
  • MUST be 65+
  • MUST require nursing home level of care
  • MUST be Medicaid eligible
  • Spouses are not eligible

Contact Number: 1-800-338-8366 (Iowa Medicaid Member Services) 1-800-735-2942 (Relay Iowa (TTY))

2. Home and Community Based Services: Health and Disability Waiver is designed to allow elderly and/or disabled individuals who would otherwise require care in a nursing facility to remain at home. This program allows the care recipient to choose and pay family members or friends to provide personal care services. Other services range from respite care to accessibility related home and vehicle modifications. 

Program Requirements

• • MUST be a resident of Iowa
  • MUST be under the age of 65
  • MUST be blind or disabled
  • MUST require nursing facility level of care
  • MUST be Medicaid eligible
  • Spouses are not eligible

Contact Number: 1-800-338-8366 (Iowa Medicaid Member Services) 1-800-735-2942 (Relay Iowa (TTY))

3. Iowa Senior Living Program: is a non-Medicaid program that enables elderly and/or disabled adults to receive care at home. This program allows and pays for care recipients to choose their caregivers. Other services range from adult day care to respite care and transportation services. 

Program Requirements

• • MUST be a resident of Iowa
  • MUST be 60+ years of age
  • MUST need two or more offered services
  • MUST not be living in a nursing home
  • All caregivers eligible 

Contact Number: 800-532-3213 (Iowa Department on Aging)