PA Caregiver Support Program: Who Qualifies and How to Apply in Philadelphia
PA Caregiver Support Program: Who Qualifies and How to Apply in Philadelphia
Short answer: The PA Caregiver Support Program reimburses primary unpaid caregivers up to $600 a month for out-of-pocket expenses like supplies and respite care. You apply through your local Area Agency on Aging, such as the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).
- Reimburses up to $600 monthly for caregiving supplies and services.
- Available to caregivers of adults 60+, people with Alzheimer’s, or grandparents raising children.
- Eligibility depends on the care receiver’s functional needs and household income.
- This program offers financial reimbursement for expenses, not hourly wages.
- Apply by calling PCA in Philadelphia or your county’s Area Agency on Aging.
What is the PA Caregiver Support Program?
The PA Caregiver Support Program is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. It is delivered locally by the 52 Area Agencies on Aging across the state. The program provides education, planning help, and financial reimbursement for approved caregiving expenses. It is designed to ease the financial strain on unpaid primary caregivers.
This is a reimbursement program, not an employment program. You do not receive an hourly wage for the time you spend helping your loved one. Instead, the state reimburses you for specific out-of-pocket costs you incur while providing care. As of August 10, 2021, the maximum monthly reimbursement was raised to $600. A 2021 law allows the Department of Aging to set and adjust these amounts.
Your exact reimbursement percentage is based on the household income of the person receiving care. If you need a break from caregiving duties, you can learn more about caregiver support options in Pennsylvania.
Who qualifies for the program?
To qualify for the PA Caregiver Support Program, both you and the person you care for must be Pennsylvania residents. You must be the primary caregiver on a regular basis. You do not need to be related to the care receiver, and you do not have to live in the same house. Eligibility also considers the care receiver’s functional needs and income levels.
Here is a breakdown of who qualifies:
| Category | Caregiver Requirements | Care Receiver Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Older Adult Care | Age 18 or older | Age 60 or older with functional deficits |
| Alzheimer’s or Related Disorders | Age 18 or older | Any age, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder |
| Older Relative Caregiver | Age 55 or older, not the biological parent, related by blood, marriage, or adoption | Child being raised by the caregiver |
The program assigns a care manager to eligible families. This care manager assesses the functional needs of the care receiver and helps develop a formal care plan. The functional needs assessment looks at how much help your loved one requires with daily activities.
What the program can reimburse
Once approved, your assigned care manager helps create a care plan. The program reimburses you for approved items and services outlined in this specific plan. The monthly cap is $600, and your reimbursement is based on your specific reimbursement percentage determined during the application.
Common covered expenses include:
- Caregiving supplies, such as incontinence products, nutritional supplements, or safety devices.
- Personal care services to assist with daily living tasks.
- Respite care, which provides short-term relief for the primary caregiver.
- Adult day care center fees.
- Other approved items that help you safely care for your loved one at home.
You must buy the approved items or pay for the services first. You then keep your receipts and submit them to your local Area Agency on Aging for reimbursement. The reimbursement process requires careful record-keeping. You cannot submit expenses that are not part of your approved care plan.
If you already care for a loved one and want to know how to get paid for your time, we can help. Call 215-974-0000 or contact us online (select “I am a caregiver” and then “I already have a client”).
How to apply in Philadelphia and the suburbs
You apply for the PA Caregiver Support Program through the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in the county where the care receiver lives. The AAA will assess your situation, verify eligibility, and help set up your care plan.
When you contact your local AAA, you will speak with an intake specialist. They will ask questions about the care receiver’s age, living situation, and functional needs. If the basic criteria are met, they will schedule an assessment to determine full eligibility and begin drafting the care plan.
Here is where to call in the Southeast Pennsylvania region to start your application:
- Philadelphia: Call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) at 215-765-9040. Their helpline is open 24/7 to assist residents.
- Bucks County: Call the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging at 267-880-5700 for services and assessments.
- Chester County: Call the Chester County Department of Aging Services at 610-344-6350.
- Delaware County: Call the Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) at 610-490-1300.
- Montgomery County: Call the statewide PA Link to Aging and Disability Resources at 1-800-753-8827 to connect with the Montgomery County Office of Aging Services.
PA Caregiver Support Program vs. being a paid caregiver through CHC
The PA Caregiver Support Program is different from being a paid family caregiver through Pennsylvania Medicaid’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver. The support program reimburses out-of-pocket expenses up to a monthly cap. The CHC waiver pays hourly wages for providing personal assistance services.
Many adults 21 and older who need long-term services and supports apply for the CHC waiver. If approved, a person-centered service plan outlines how many hours of care they receive.
| Feature | PA Caregiver Support Program | Paid Caregiver via CHC Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Type | Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses (up to $600/month). | Hourly wages for providing hands-on care. |
| Primary Eligibility | Care receiver is 60+ (or has dementia), based on income and functional needs. | Care receiver needs nursing facility level of care and meets Medicaid financial limits. |
| Who Can Provide Care | Primary unpaid caregiver (can be a spouse or relative). | Family members can be paid, but spouses, legal guardians, and POAs are excluded. |
If your loved one is eligible for the CHC waiver, you may be able to get paid to care for a family member. Family members can be paid to provide personal assistance services. However, the CHC waiver will not pay for services furnished by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.
Pandemic-era exceptions for these roles ended on May 11, 2023, and the Office of Long-Term Living does not expect to make further exceptions. If you hold one of these roles, read more about spouse and POA caregiver rules. Agency-model workers are paid according to their home care agency’s pay scale.
Ready to turn your caregiving duties into a paid role through the CHC waiver? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our contact form, choosing “I am a caregiver” and “I already have a client”.
Frequently asked questions
What are some online support groups for caregivers of elderly parents?
The Penn Memory Center in Philadelphia runs virtual caregiver support groups and a peer-matching program. The Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter also offers free local caregiver support groups by phone or video. You can call their 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 to find a group.
What are the treatment options for caregiver burnout?
Signs of caregiver stress include exhaustion, anxiety, and irritability. If you experience these regularly, talk to your doctor. To manage burnout, take breaks using respite care, share duties with a care-team calendar, eat well, rest, and join a local support group through your Area Agency on Aging.
Get paid through Medicaid CHC as a New Century caregiver. Weekly pay, $350 signing bonus, free health insurance plan available. Call 215-974-0000.
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