Montana funds in-home care through Community First Choice and HCBS waivers, and a spouse may be eligible under CFC.
If you are caring for an aging parent, a spouse, or an adult child with a disability in Montana, the hard part is rarely whether help exists. It is knowing what is there and where to start. This guide maps every major caregiver program in the state for 2026.
You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to fund all of it from your savings.
In This Guide
- Montana Caregiver Programs at a Glance
- Programs That Pay Family Caregivers
- Respite Care Programs
- Support, Training, and Area Agencies
- VA Caregiver Benefits in Montana
- Taxes for Montana Caregivers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Learn More
Montana Caregiver Programs at a Glance
| Program | What It Offers | Pay a spouse? | Cost to You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community First Choice and HCBS waivers | Pays a family caregiver to provide in-home personal care | Confirm | Free (paid by Medicaid) |
| NFCSP respite grants | Free in-home respite, adult day vouchers, training, counseling | N/A | Free |
| VA PCAFC | Monthly tax-free stipend; pays spouses | Yes | Free (VA benefit) |
| VA Aid and Attendance | Pension up to $2,424/mo to veteran; caregiver paid from it | Pension to veteran | Free to apply (VSO help) |
Programs That Pay Family Caregivers
Montana Medicaid funds in-home personal care through Community First Choice (a state plan entitlement) and its HCBS waivers, both administered by the Senior and Long Term Care Division. Under the consumer-directed option, family members may be eligible to be paid, and a spouse may qualify under Community First Choice; confirm the current rules with Montana Medicaid at 1-800-362-8312.
For the full guide to who can be paid and how, see: How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Montana.
Respite Care Programs
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, flows through Montana's Area Agencies on Aging. Services include in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, and counseling, with no income test for respite services. Call 1-800-362-8312 (Montana Medicaid) to reach your regional agency, or dial 211.
State Medicaid programs and waivers can also authorize respite within the care plan. For the full respite guide, see: Respite Care in Montana.
Support, Training, and Area Agencies
Montana's Area Agencies on Aging are the front door for most caregiver support that is not tied to a Medicaid waiver. They deliver NFCSP services, adult day referrals, caregiver training, counseling, and local resource information.
Call 1-800-362-8312 (Montana Medicaid) to reach your regional agency, or dial 211 for the broader social-services network. These calls are free and carry no obligation. A counselor will identify what is available in your area and help you start an application.
VA Caregiver Benefits in Montana
Veterans enrolled in VA health care in Montana have access to 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, a need for in-person personal care for at least six continuous months, and enrollment in VA health care.
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.
The Montana state veterans agency and county or town Veterans Service Officers help file at no cost.
VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
Taxes for Montana Caregivers
IRS Notice 2014-7
If you live in the same home as the person you care for and are paid through a Medicaid program, your wages may be excluded from federal gross income under IRS Notice 2014-7. This applies to many Montana self-directed caregiving arrangements. Talk to a tax preparer familiar with the rule before filing.
Montana State Income Tax
State income tax treatment of caregiver wages varies. Confirm the current rate and how it applies to Medicaid waiver payments with the Montana state revenue department or a tax preparer.
VA PCAFC Stipend
The PCAFC monthly stipend is federal tax-free and is not reported on a W-2.
Not sure which Montana caregiver program fits your family? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a personalized comparison based on your loved one's Medicaid enrollment, veteran status, and whether you are a spouse or non-spouse caregiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly. Under Montana's Community First Choice, family members including a spouse may be eligible to be paid. Confirm the current rules with Montana Medicaid at 1-800-362-8312.
Yes. The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides free respite through Montana's Area Agencies on Aging with no income test. Call 1-800-362-8312 (Montana Medicaid) or dial 211.
The PCAFC stipend (for veterans with a 70%+ service-connected disability rating, tax-free, pays spouses) and the Aid and Attendance pension (for wartime veterans and surviving spouses under the net-worth limit). Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.
Call 1-800-362-8312 (Montana Medicaid) to reach your regional agency, or dial 211. They handle NFCSP respite grants, adult day referrals, and caregiver training.
Learn More
- Medicaid Self-Direction and Consumer-Directed Services
- The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP): A Complete Guide
- How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Montana
- Respite Care in Montana
- Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Stages, and How to Get Support
- VA Benefits for Seniors in Montana
- Medicaid Planning Strategies
Find personalized help navigating Montana 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.