Utah Aging Waiver Family Caregiver Pay: Who Can Be Paid (2026)
Utah's Aging Waiver, a Medicaid program, can pay an adult child or other relative to be the attendant for a parent 65 or older so they can stay at home.
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Brevy Care Team
6 min read · Published October 16, 2026 · Last verified October 17, 2026
Utah's Aging Waiver, a Medicaid program, can pay an adult child or other relative to be the attendant for a parent 65 or older so they can stay at home.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Aging Waiver - Medicaid - Utah DHHS. medicaid.utah.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://medicaid.utah.gov/ltc-2/ag/,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT If your parent self-directs Personal Attendant Services, they choose who gets Utah Aging Waiver family caregiver pay, and a spouse can be paid only for care Utah approves as extraordinary care.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT The first step is a referral through your local Area Agency on Aging.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (Aging 0247.R07.00, New Choices 0439.R04.00, Physical Disabilities 0331.R06.00, Community Supports 0158.R08.00). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Who Can Get Utah Aging Waiver Family Caregiver Pay
The Aging Waiver is a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver for people 65 and older, run with the Division of Aging and Adult Services and Utah's Area Agencies on Aging. Utah's Aging Waiver application says relatives other than legal guardians and spouses may provide specified waiver services, including Personal Attendant Services.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT The rules on this page come from the waiver documents Utah posts, which may not be the current approved edition, and the current waiver may add requirements, so confirm them with your Area Agency on Aging case manager.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Family member
Can be paid?
Adult child
Yes, unless they are the parent's legal guardian
Other relative
Yes, unless they are the legal guardian
Spouse
Only if approved as extraordinary care
Legal guardian
No
Relative who lives with your parent
Not stated; ask the case manager
Under the Utah Aging Waiver documents, your parent can direct their own care whether they live in their own home or in a family member's home.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT Court-appointed guardians are the hard limit: the Utah Aging Waiver documents state that legal guardians are not permitted to provide waiver services, though a different relative may take the paid role.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Can a Spouse Be Paid Through the Aging Waiver?
Sometimes. The Utah Aging Waiver documents' definition of Personal Attendant Services says payment won't be made to a spouse, so a spouse is paid only through a state-approved exception for extraordinary care.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Utah Administrative Code R414-523 defines extraordinary care as care beyond the daily-living help a spouse would ordinarily give someone the same age without a disability or chronic illness, needed to keep the person healthy and safe and out of an institution. Under the Utah Aging Waiver documents, a spouse may be the paid attendant when:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
your spouse chooses you, and the care team supports it;
you aren't also directing services on your spouse's behalf;
you can meet their needs: the waiver documents point to special skills or training like nursing licensure, and Utah's rule R414-523 also lets a spouse qualify without a license if the Department determines the spouse is able to meet the participant's health and safety needs; and
the plan documents that the choice reflects your spouse's wishes, serves the family's best interests, matches their assessed needs and increases their independence, with backup steps if you can no longer do the work and a service agreement you sign.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Every paid spouse works within three limits: no more than 40 hours a week of the approved service under the Utah Aging Waiver documents' spouse criteria, no more than 5 hours a day of Personal Attendant Services unless an evaluation authorizes more for a set time, and no more than the care plan approves under R414-523. When your spouse (or another person they appoint) self-directs Personal Attendant Services and employs you as the attendant, the cap drops to 25 hours a week. Your spouse can hire other attendants or use an agency for any care those hours don't cover. Ask the case manager whether the current waiver adds any spouse conditions.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
The Utah Aging Waiver documents add two spouse-pay conditions: routine respite can't be provided while a spouse is the paid attendant, and a third-party representative verifies timesheets and oversees the spouse. For Aging Waiver spouse pay, Utah's holistic review also weighs whether the extra care could harm the caregiving spouse's own well-being.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Who decides. Under R414-523, the case manager or support coordinator reviews spousal pay at the first care planning meeting and each later one. If any condition isn't met, the request is denied, and your spouse can appeal through a state fair hearing.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT Our Utah spouse pay guide compares spouse rules across programs.
How Utah Aging Waiver Family Caregiver Pay Works
When your parent self-directs, they (or another duly appointed person) choose and keep the attendant, supervise the work and verify the attendant's timesheet. If your parent employs you directly, they must use a Fiscal Management Agency. Utah's Area Agencies on Aging review all Aging Waiver services provided and claims paid each month.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Your parent can use only the services they're assessed as needing, and the Aging Waiver documents say Personal Attendant Services won't exceed 5 hours a day unless an evaluation supports a time-limited authorization beyond that.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Aging Waiver - Medicaid - Utah DHHS. medicaid.utah.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://medicaid.utah.gov/ltc-2/ag/,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT The Aging Waiver documents we reviewed don't publish a pay rate for family attendants, so ask the case manager or the Fiscal Management Agency what the hourly pay would be.
Who Qualifies and How to Start in Utah
To qualify for Utah's Aging Waiver, your parent must be 65 or older, need a nursing facility level of care and meet Medicaid's financial eligibility rules.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Aging Waiver - Medicaid - Utah DHHS. medicaid.utah.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://medicaid.utah.gov/ltc-2/ag/ Our Medicaid income limits guide for Utah covers the financial side.
at the care planning meeting, and ask the case manager how they can be paid, including whether your parent can self-direct Personal Attendant Services.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (lists UT Waiver for Individuals Age 65 or Older (0247.R07.00)). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Probably not. Employment-related Personal Assistant Services (EPAS) is for people with disabilities who need help to stay employed, so it isn't the route for most older parents.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Employment-related Personal Assistant Services (EPAS) - Medicaid - Utah DHHS. medicaid.utah.gov. Retrieved Jun 3, 2026, from https://medicaid.utah.gov/ltc-2/epas/ A Utah waiver participant can't receive EPAS when personal care is already a waiver service.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (Aging 0247.R07.00, New Choices 0439.R04.00, Physical Disabilities 0331.R06.00, Community Supports 0158.R08.00). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT
Is there always room in the Aging Waiver?
Not always. Utah's Aging Waiver serves a limited number of people, and space in Utah's waivers may not be available in all areas, so ask about openings when you call.Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Aging Waiver - Medicaid - Utah DHHS. medicaid.utah.gov. Retrieved Jul 13, 2026, from https://medicaid.utah.gov/ltc-2/ag/,Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (1915). CMS / Medicaid.gov - Utah 1915(c) Waiver Factsheet (Aging 0247.R07.00, New Choices 0439.R04.00, Physical Disabilities 0331.R06.00, Community Supports 0158.R08.00). medicaid.gov. Retrieved Sep 4, 2026, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/UT Our Utah caregiver programs guide lists other help in the meantime.
Find personalized help getting paid through Utah's Aging Waiver 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
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