Support at Home

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services, a type of non-medical home care, help older adults and people of any age with a disability live independently at home and at work and to engage with their communities. A Personal Care Attendant is the personal support worker who is typically employed by the older adult or person with a disability or their authorized representative.

The individual or their authorized representative handles numerous tasks during the employment of the PCA. The employer: hires, trains and evaluates the PCA’s performance, determines schedules and defines job tasks. In other words, the PCA works for the individual. A fiscal intermediary is used for all payroll and applicable taxes/insurances.

There are also agency-based PCA services available in which the PCA is employed by an agency but performs personal support services which are also person-centered.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals receiving a PCA through a Medicaid Waiver or through Community First Choice would need to meet other eligibility criteria.

If the PCA is provided by an agency and not covered by Medicaid, that agency would determine eligibility.

Services and Fees

PCA services assist individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as: bathing, transferring, toileting, eating and dressing.

These services also assist individuals with their instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as errands and social outings with friends, support in their workplace, provide companionship for recreational activities and manage the household, as well as additional needs.

Financial Options for Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Services

Private Pay:
Private pay refers to using personal funds to cover all or a portion of an expense. There are different ways to acquire private pay resources.

CT Home Care Program for Disabled Adults:
This program offers services & supports to people with degenerative, neurological conditions in need of case management, Services & Supports who are unable to qualify for Medicaid and other services.

HUSKY Health and Medicaid:
This program provides a comprehensive health care benefit package including preventive care, primary care, specialist visits, hospital care, behavioral health services, dental services, hospice and prescription medications to eligible individuals.

Community First Choice (CFC):
Community First Choice (CFC) offers a variety of services & supports to help individuals meet their goals and to provide hands-on care and supervision in their home and community while self-directing staff.

Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Waiver:
Adults aged 18 to 64 with disabilities in need of assistance performing Activities of Daily Living can apply for the Personal Care Assistance Waiver to receive long-term care from a trained, personal care assistant while at home.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver:
This waiver provides services & supports for individuals with an acquired brain injury who are receiving or otherwise would receive care in an institution.

Katie Beckett Waiver:
This waiver provides Medicaid healthcare services to individuals aged 21 and younger with a physical disability who would not normally qualify for Medicaid due to family income.

CT Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE):
This program enables older adults to remain in their homes with services & supports instead of residing in a nursing facility or other institutional setting to receive care.

Mental Health Waiver:
This program serves individuals with serious mental illness and provides an array of home and community-based services that enable Medicaid recipients to live in the community and avoid institutional care.

Long-Term Care Insurance:
Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of long-term services & supports at home, in an assisted living facility or in a nursing home.

Reverse Mortgages:
A reverse mortgage is a type of home loan older homeowners can use to tap accrued equity in their house for cash. Recipients can use the money to pay off debts, supplement other income, or pay healthcare expenses.

National Family Caregiver Support Program:
This program offers a range of services to support family caregivers such as short-term respite, home safety modifications, personal emergency response systems (PERS) and connecting caregivers with support groups.

Find in Your Area

Beneficiaries of a PCA through a Medicaid Waiver can choose their own attendant that best suits their needs. Visit the Hire a Caregiver section to learn about the steps to take to hire a personal care attendant.