South Carolina family caregivers can get funded respite through the Community Choices Waiver, NFCSP grants, and VA programs. Call 1-800-868-9095 to find what you qualify for.
Caregiving without planned breaks erodes your health over time, often invisibly. Research shows that family caregivers who forgo regular respite face higher rates of depression, cardiovascular disease, and immune problems than the general population. Caregivers who access respite consistently keep their loved ones at home longer than those who don't. Respite is not stepping away. It is what sustains the care.
This guide maps every funded respite option in South Carolina for 2026.
What South Carolina's Self-Directed Model Means for Respite
South Carolina's Community Choices Waiver, administered by SCDHHS, added a self-directed Attendant Care option effective July 1, 2025. Under this option, the waiver participant can hire family members as the paid attendant, bringing meaningful flexibility to how respite is delivered. The exact rules for spousal eligibility and any other restrictions should be confirmed with SCDHHS at (888) 549-0820 before counting on a specific arrangement.
If you need emergency respite now, call the SC Lt. Governor's Office on Aging at 1-800-868-9095 or dial 211.
Funded Respite Options in South Carolina
1. Community Choices Waiver Self-Directed Attendant Care
What it is: South Carolina's Community Choices (CC) Waiver is the primary 1915(c) Medicaid waiver for home and community-based care for frail elderly adults age 65 and older and adults ages 18 to 64 with physical disabilities at a nursing-facility level of care. Since July 1, 2025, participants can elect the self-directed Attendant Care option to hire and direct their own caregivers, including for respite.
Can a family member provide respite? Under the self-directed option, participants may hire qualified family members as the paid attendant. The Medically Complex Children waiver explicitly allows parents as paid attendants; similar flexibility applies to the CC Waiver's self-directed option. Spousal eligibility and any other restrictions must be confirmed with SCDHHS at (888) 549-0820 because the policy was finalized July 1, 2025 and full implementation details are still being confirmed in the field.
How to access: Contact SCDHHS or call (888) 549-0820. Ask about CC Waiver enrollment and the self-directed Attendant Care option. Confirm current enrollment availability; the waiver renewal is scheduled for July 1, 2026.
Eligibility: Medicaid financial eligibility and a nursing-facility level of care determination.
Best for: Medicaid-eligible South Carolina families who want to hire a family member for in-home respite.
2. NFCSP Grants Through South Carolina's Area Agencies on Aging
What it is: The National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), funded by Title III-E of the Older Americans Act, flows through the South Carolina Lt. Governor's Office on Aging to regional Area Agencies on Aging. Each AAA provides in-home respite, adult day vouchers, caregiver training, counseling, and supplemental services.
Who qualifies: Family caregivers of adults age 60 and older; grandparent and relative caregivers of children under 18; caregivers of any age caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. No income test for NFCSP respite services.
How to access: Call the South Carolina Lt. Governor's Office on Aging at 1-800-868-9095 or use the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Best for: Any South Carolina family caregiver regardless of income. NFCSP is consistently underused statewide.
3. VA Respite for Veterans
What it is: Veterans enrolled in VA health care can access respite through their local VA medical center, including in-home aide services, adult day health, and short-term placement in VA Community Living Centers or contracted facilities.
PCAFC: Primary Family Caregivers in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers receive respite care as part of the benefit package; confirm authorized days and any co-pay requirements with your VA Caregiver Support Coordinator.
How to access: Call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator at your South Carolina VA medical center.
Best for: Families of veterans enrolled in VA health care.
4. Short-Term Facility Respite and Emergency Respite
Short-term facility respite places the care recipient in an assisted living community or skilled nursing facility for a few days to several weeks. Many South Carolina senior living facilities offer short-stay arrangements; call facilities in your area for current pricing and availability.
Emergency respite is available through South Carolina's AAAs for sudden caregiver crises. Call 1-800-868-9095 or 211 as a first step.
How to Start in South Carolina
- Call 1-800-868-9095 (SC Lt. Governor's Office on Aging). This connects you to your regional AAA for NFCSP grants, caregiver counseling, and local program referrals.
- Contact SCDHHS at (888) 549-0820 if your loved one is Medicaid-eligible. Ask about CC Waiver enrollment and the self-directed Attendant Care option, and confirm which family members can serve as the paid attendant.
- Dial 211 for local social service referrals and adult day program directories.
- If your loved one is a veteran, call 1-855-260-3274 before anywhere else.
Not sure which South Carolina respite program fits your family? Chat with Brevy's care navigator for a personalized list based on your loved one's Medicaid eligibility, veteran status, and care needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Community Choices Waiver covers attendant care, and since July 1, 2025, participants can elect the self-directed option to hire their own attendant, including for respite. Contact SCDHHS at (888) 549-0820 for enrollment details and to confirm current rules for family-member hiring.
Under the Community Choices Waiver self-directed Attendant Care option, family members may be eligible as the paid attendant. Spousal eligibility and specific restrictions must be confirmed with SCDHHS at (888) 549-0820. The policy was finalized July 1, 2025; confirm current rules before assuming eligibility.
Yes. South Carolina's Area Agencies on Aging distribute NFCSP funds for caregiver respite with no income test. Call the SC Lt. Governor's Office on Aging at 1-800-868-9095 to reach your local AAA.
Adult day programs provide structured daytime care, typically 4 to 8 hours per day, with meals and social engagement. Your local AAA can share a directory of licensed programs in your area. NFCSP grants can offset adult day costs, and the CC Waiver may cover adult day health services for enrolled members. Call 1-800-868-9095 for referrals.
Learn More
- How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in South Carolina
- Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Stages, and How to Get Support
- VA Senior Care Benefits in South Carolina
- Medicaid Planning Strategies
Find personalized help navigating respite care options in South Carolina 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.