Free caregiver tool
Which agency do I call about paying for care?
Answer three questions to see which of the four agencies fits your situation and what to ask when you call.
All answers are anonymous. We don't save any personally identifying information.
Is your person a veteran, or were they married to one?
Is your person on Medicaid now?
What is the money question today?
Which agency do I call about paying for care?
Start here
Area Agency on Aging- "What does this office actually help with, and what is outside what you do?"
- "Is there a wait for an assessment, and can we start that today?"
- "Who else should I be calling that I haven't thought of yet?"
- "Does this state have a program where a family member can be paid to provide care?"
- "Is that through Medicaid, or is there a separate state-funded program?"
- "Who do I talk to about getting an assessment started?"
Local agency
eldercare.acl.govMedicare coverage questions
State Health Insurance Assistance ProgramTo find yours: Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116- "Is this service covered under Part A or Part B, or not covered?"
- "Are they in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan?"
- "Does this service need prior authorization?"
- "Does the hospital stay before skilled nursing have to meet any conditions?"
State program
shiphelp.orgMedicaid programs in your state
Your state Medicaid agencyTo find yours: Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116- "What home and community-based waiver programs does this state have for older adults?"
- "Is there a waiting list for that waiver? How long, and how do we get on it today?"
- "Does the waiver cover respite care for me as the family caregiver?"
- "Does my parent qualify for long-term care Medicaid, and is that a different application than regular Medicaid?"
- "What is the level-of-care assessment, who performs it, and how do we request one?"
- "If my parent is married, what protections apply to the spouse staying at home?"
- "Does this state offer self-directed or consumer-directed care?"
- "Under that program, can a family member be hired as the paid caregiver?"
- "Does it matter that I'm their child / their spouse / their daughter-in-law?"
- "Would I be an employee, and who handles payroll and taxes?"
State agency
medicaid.govVeteran or surviving spouse
VA (Veterans Affairs) Caregiver Support Line + a VA-accredited representativeVA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274VA benefits line
1-800-827-1000- "Is my parent eligible for a VA pension?"
- "Is there a surviving-spouse version of this benefit?"
- "Can you connect me with a free accredited representative? I don't want to pay anyone to file this."
- "Does our VA medical center run a program where the veteran gets a budget to hire family?"
- "Under that program, could I be hired and paid as the caregiver?"
Federal
va.govPaying a relative informally from the patient's money can cause Medicaid problems later. Have an elder law attorney draw up a personal care agreement first.
The agencies decide who qualifies and what you get. Your next step is to call them.
Checked July 2026. Program rules change and they differ state to state. Check with your state agency for current rules.