Indiana has two Medicaid pathways that pay family caregivers, plus respite grants, VA benefits, and 15 Area Agencies on Aging that most families never call.,

If you are caring for an aging parent, a spouse, or an adult child with a disability in Indiana, there is help available that does not come out of your savings. The hard part is knowing where to look. This guide maps every major caregiver program in Indiana in 2026: who pays, who qualifies, and where to start.

You don't have to figure this out alone.

In This Guide

Indiana Caregiver Programs at a Glance

Program What It Offers Who Qualifies Cost to You
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) Live-in caregiver receives a tax-free daily stipend; spouse can be the paid caregiver PathWays or Health & Wellness waiver enrollees who need nursing-facility level of care Free (paid by Medicaid via MCE)
Attendant Care (ATTC) Non-spouse family member hired hourly; LRI/spouse cannot start new ATTC since 7/1/2024 Same waiver eligibility as SFC; caregiver must not be LRI Free (paid by Medicaid via MCE)
NFCSP respite grants Free in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, counseling Caregivers of adults 60+ or person with ADRD; no income test Free
VA PCAFC Monthly tax-free stipend for primary family caregiver; pays spouses Veteran with 70%+ service-connected disability in VA health care Free (VA benefit)
VA Aid and Attendance Pension up to $2,424/mo to veteran; caregiver paid from it Wartime veteran or surviving spouse at nursing-facility level, under net-worth limit Free to apply (VSO help)

Indiana Caregiver Programs That Pay Family Members

Indiana has two main pathways through PathWays for Aging and the HCBS waivers that can put wages into a family caregiver's hands.

Structured Family Caregiving (SFC)

Structured Family Caregiving is Indiana's most distinctive program. A live-in caregiver provides daily support and receives a tax-free daily stipend through a contracted SFC provider agency rather than an hourly wage. The standout: a spouse can be the paid caregiver.

The daily stipend is paid through the contracted SFC provider agency and varies by care tier. Confirm the current tier amounts with the MCE or SFC provider agency before planning around a specific figure. The caregiver must be at least 18, pass a background check, and be deemed capable of providing care.

SFC is available through PathWays for Aging (age 60+) and the Health and Wellness waiver.

Who qualifies (recipient): Medicaid-eligible, enrolled in an HCBS waiver, needs nursing-facility level of care, lives full-time with the caregiver. Income up to approximately $2,982 per month and assets up to $2,000.

For the full guide to SFC: How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Indiana.

Attendant Care (ATTC)

Attendant Care is Indiana's hourly self-directed option. The waiver participant directs their own attendant (choosing, hiring, training, and managing them) and a fiscal agent handles payroll.

Who can be the ATTC worker: An adult child, sibling, other relative, or friend who is not the participant's spouse or legally responsible individual (LRI). Since July 1, 2024, a spouse or parent of a minor cannot start a new ATTC arrangement. Spouses who want to be paid should use SFC instead.

ATTC is also available through PathWays and the HCBS waivers. The MCE care coordinator assigns an appropriate fiscal agent.

How to Apply for SFC or ATTC

Because both paid pathways run through Indiana Medicaid and an HCBS waiver, here is the practical order of operations, from enrollment to the care coordinator who authorizes a family member as the paid caregiver.

1
Step 1

Confirm Medicaid and waiver eligibility

SFC and ATTC both require the care recipient to be enrolled in Indiana Medicaid, qualify for an HCBS waiver (PathWays for Aging for age 60+, or the Health and Wellness waiver), and need a nursing-facility level of care. Financial eligibility aligns with Indiana Medicaid: income up to approximately $2,982 per month and countable assets up to $2,000. Call the FSSA Division of Aging at 1-800-713-9023 to start.

2
Step 2

Enroll in PathWays and meet your care coordinator

Once eligible, Hoosiers age 60 and older are enrolled with one of three MCEs (Anthem, Humana, or UnitedHealthcare), which assign a care coordinator to build the care plan and confirm the level of care.

3
Step 3

Choose your paid-caregiver pathway

Tell your care coordinator whether a spouse or co-resident relative will provide live-in care (Structured Family Caregiving) or a non-spouse relative will provide hourly help (Attendant Care). A spouse must use SFC; ATTC cannot start new spouse or legally-responsible-individual arrangements after July 1, 2024.,

4
Step 4

Complete provider setup

For SFC, the caregiver enrolls with a contracted SFC provider agency, must be at least 18, and passes a criminal background check. For ATTC, the MCE assigns a fiscal agent to handle payroll for the self-directed attendant before payment begins.,

Respite Care Programs

PathWays MCE Respite

Once enrolled in PathWays or an HCBS waiver, the care plan can include authorized respite hours delivered through the MCE. Contact the Anthem, Humana, or UnitedHealthcare care coordinator to add respite hours to the plan.

NFCSP Grants Through Indiana's 15 Area Agencies on Aging

The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, flows through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Aging to 16 regional Area Agencies on Aging. Services include in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, and counseling. No income test for NFCSP respite services.,

How to access: Call 1-800-713-9023 (FSSA Division of Aging) or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to reach your regional AAA.

For the full respite guide: Respite Care in Indiana.

Adult Day Programs

Indiana's adult day programs are licensed by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). A few days per week in an adult day program can return consistent weekday hours to the caregiver while providing structure and social engagement for the care recipient. Your regional AAA maintains a county directory; call 1-800-713-9023 for referrals.

Support, Training, and Area Agencies on Aging

Indiana's 15 Area Agencies on Aging are the front door for most caregiver support programs. They deliver NFCSP services, adult day referrals, caregiver training, counseling, and local resource information. Every county is served.

Call the Indiana FSSA Division of Aging at 1-800-713-9023 to be connected with your regional AAA. This call is free and has no obligation. A counselor will assess what programs are available for your situation, whether your loved one is enrolled in PathWays or not.

The Indiana FSSA Division of Aging also coordinates the state's response to elder caregiving needs, including program oversight for PathWays for Aging and the HCBS waivers.

VA Caregiver Benefits in Indiana

Veterans enrolled in VA health care in Indiana have access to a parallel set of caregiver support programs that are separate from Medicaid and often more generous.

VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

The PCAFC pays a monthly stipend to the Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible veteran. The stipend is calculated from the federal GS-4, Step 1 annual rate for the veteran's locality, divided by 12, then multiplied by a level factor. It is federal tax-free and allows paid spouses.

To qualify, the veteran needs a service-connected disability rating of 70 percent or higher (individual or combined) and enrollment in VA health care.

Other PCAFC benefits for the Primary Family Caregiver include CHAMPVA health insurance (if otherwise uninsured), at least 30 days of respite per year, and mental health counseling.

Indiana VA facilities: The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis is the main VA medical center in Indiana, with community-based outpatient clinics across the state; use the VA Indiana locations directory to find the nearest one.

VA Aid and Attendance Pension

Wartime veterans and surviving spouses who meet the functional criteria and have countable assets and income under the net-worth limit ($163,699 in 2026) may receive the Aid and Attendance pension. A single veteran with Aid and Attendance receives up to $2,424 per month ($29,093/year); a veteran with one dependent up to $2,874 per month. The pension goes to the veteran, who typically pays a family caregiver from it.

Apply at no cost: The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and county Veterans Service Officers help veterans file at no cost. Avoid for-profit pension consultants. You can also reach a VA Caregiver Support Coordinator through the Where to Get Help directory below.

Taxes for Indiana Caregivers

IRS Notice 2014-7

If you live in the same home as the person you care for and are paid through a Medicaid waiver program, your wages may be excluded from federal gross income under IRS Notice 2014-7. This applies to many Indiana SFC and ATTC arrangements. Talk to a tax preparer familiar with this rule before filing.

Indiana State Income Tax

Indiana levies a flat individual income tax of 2.95% for 2026 plus county income taxes. Because Indiana starts from federal adjusted gross income, the IRS Notice 2014-7 exclusion generally flows through to the Indiana return.

SFC Stipend

The SFC daily stipend is structured as a tax-free payment in most circumstances. Confirm the specific treatment with a tax preparer.

VA PCAFC Stipend

The PCAFC monthly stipend is federal tax-free and is not reported on a W-2.

Your next step Not sure which Indiana caregiver program fits your family? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a personalized comparison based on your loved one's age, Medicaid enrollment, and whether you are a spouse or non-spouse caregiver.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse be paid to care for me in Indiana?

Yes, through Structured Family Caregiving. SFC explicitly allows a spouse as the live-in paid caregiver under PathWays and the HCBS waivers. The caregiver must be at least 18, pass a background check, and live full-time with the care recipient. Attendant Care (ATTC) does not allow spouses for new arrangements since July 1, 2024.

What is the difference between SFC and ATTC?

SFC is a live-in model paying a daily stipend; the caregiver provides comprehensive daily support and lives with the care recipient. ATTC is a self-directed hourly model; the care recipient directs an attendant for help with specific daily activities. SFC allows spouses and is the route for co-resident caregivers; ATTC is for non-spouse family members.,

What does the SFC daily stipend pay?

The stipend is paid through the contracted SFC provider agency, and the specific dollar figure varies by care tier. Confirm the current rates with the SFC provider agency or MCE before planning around a specific number.

Who qualifies for PathWays for Aging?

Hoosiers age 60 and older who receive Medicaid (or dual Medicare-Medicaid benefits), need nursing-facility level of care, and have income up to approximately $2,982 per month and assets up to $2,000.

How do I find my regional Area Agency on Aging?

Call the Indiana FSSA Division of Aging at 1-800-713-9023 or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. Indiana has 16 AAAs serving every county; they are the starting point for NFCSP respite grants, adult day program referrals, and caregiver training.

Where to Get Help in Indiana

Indiana FSSA Division of Aging Connects you with your regional Area Agency on Aging for NFCSP respite, adult day referrals, and caregiver support, and oversees PathWays and the HCBS waivers. 1-800-713-9023 www.in.gov/fssa/da
Eldercare Locator Reaches your regional Area Agency on Aging by ZIP code when you are not sure which of Indiana's 16 AAAs serves your county. 1-800-677-1116 eldercare.acl.gov/home
VA Caregiver Support Line Reach a VA Caregiver Support Coordinator about the PCAFC stipend and other VA caregiver benefits. 1-855-260-3274 www.caregiver.va.gov

Learn More

CaregiverCaregiver Programs: The 50-State GuideA directory of caregiver programs in all 50 states: paid family caregiver pathways, respite, NFCSP grants, and VA benefits. Find your state's complete guide. CaregiverMedicaid Self-Direction and Consumer-Directed ServicesHow Medicaid self-direction lets a family member be your paid caregiver: employer authority, budget authority, the 1915(j) spouse rule, and how to get started. CaregiverThe National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP): A Complete GuideWhat the National Family Caregiver Support Program funds, who is eligible, and how to reach respite and caregiver support through your Area Agency on Aging. CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in IndianaHow to get paid caring for a family member in Indiana: Structured Family Caregiving, PathWays for Aging, who can be hired, spouse rules, and VA options. CaregiverRespite Care in IndianaRespite care in Indiana for family caregivers: a paid break through Structured Family Caregiving that can pay a spouse, free NFCSP grants, and VA respite. CaregiverCaregiver Burnout: Signs, Stages, and How to Get SupportHow to recognize caregiver burnout, why it happens, and what actually helps, from respite care to evidence-based programs like REACH II and Powerful Tools. VA BenefitsVA Senior Care Benefits in IndianaVA benefits in Indiana cover home care, nursing homes, Aid and Attendance up to $2,874/month, and the Indiana Veterans' Home. How to access each in 2026. MedicaidMedicaid Planning StrategiesSee which assets you keep, how the 5-year look-back works, and the legal moves that qualify you for Medicaid long-term care without losing the house.

Find personalized help navigating Indiana caregiver programs at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.