West Virginia family caregivers can get funded respite through the PCS Program, NFCSP grants, and VA programs for veterans. Call BMS at 1-888-483-0797 or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to start.
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 West Virginia for 2026.
What West Virginia's Medicaid Model Means for Respite
West Virginia Medicaid offers respite relief through two main pathways. The Personal Care Services (PCS) Program provides in-home assistance with activities of daily living for eligible Medicaid members who need help in at least three ADL areas. The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) is the primary 1915(c) HCBS waiver and promotes self-direction, allowing participants to recruit, hire, and supervise their own caregivers. Specific rules about which family members can be hired, including spouses, vary by program and must be confirmed with the Bureau for Medical Services at 1-888-483-0797.
If you need emergency respite now, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or dial 211.
Funded Respite Options in West Virginia
1. Personal Care Services Program and Aged and Disabled Waiver
What it is: The PCS Program funds in-home personal care for Medicaid members who need help with at least three activities of daily living. The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) is West Virginia's primary HCBS waiver for older adults and adults with physical disabilities at a nursing-facility level of care. ADW promotes self-direction: participants have decision-making authority to recruit, hire, train, and supervise their own care workers.
Can a family member provide respite? The ADW's self-direction model creates a pathway for family-member hiring, but specific rules about which relatives are eligible, including whether a spouse can be the paid worker, vary by program and are not uniformly published in secondary sources. Confirm current rules with the West Virginia Bureau for Medical Services at 1-888-483-0797.
How to access: Call BMS at 1-888-483-0797 to ask about PCS and ADW self-direction and to confirm which family members can be enrolled as paid care workers. The ADW uses a case manager who coordinates services and self-direction paperwork.
Eligibility: Medicaid financial eligibility and functional determination of need. ADW requires a nursing-facility level of care.
Best for: Medicaid-eligible West Virginia families who want in-home respite and want to explore whether a family member can be the paid worker.
2. NFCSP Grants Through West Virginia'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 West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services 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: Use the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find your local West Virginia AAA.
Best for: Any West Virginia family caregiver regardless of income. NFCSP is the most accessible no-barrier respite option in the state.
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 the Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center in Huntington or the Beckley 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 West Virginia senior living facilities offer short-stay arrangements; call facilities in your area for current pricing and availability.
Emergency respite is available through West Virginia's AAAs for sudden caregiver crises. Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or dial 211 as a first step.
How to Start in West Virginia
- Call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator). This connects you to your local West Virginia AAA for NFCSP grants, caregiver counseling, and local program referrals.
- Call BMS at 1-888-483-0797 if your loved one is Medicaid-eligible. Ask about PCS and ADW self-direction, and confirm which family members can be the paid care worker for respite.
- 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 West Virginia 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 Personal Care Services Program and the Aged and Disabled Waiver both provide in-home personal care that can relieve the primary family caregiver. ADW's self-direction model allows participants to hire their own care workers. Call BMS at 1-888-483-0797 to ask about PCS and ADW and which family members qualify as paid workers.
The ADW's self-direction model creates a pathway for family-member hiring, but specific rules about spousal and co-resident relative eligibility vary by program and must be confirmed with BMS at 1-888-483-0797. Do not assume eligibility without calling, as the rules are not uniformly published.
Yes. West Virginia's Area Agencies on Aging distribute NFCSP funds for caregiver respite with no income test. Use the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find your local AAA.
Adult day programs provide structured daytime care, typically 4 to 8 hours per day, with meals, activities, and varying levels of nursing oversight. Your local AAA can share a directory of licensed programs in your area. NFCSP grants can offset adult day costs. Call 1-800-677-1116 for referrals.
Learn More
- How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in West Virginia
- Caregiver Burnout: Signs, Stages, and How to Get Support
- VA Senior Care Benefits in West Virginia
- Medicaid Planning Strategies
Find personalized help navigating respite care options in West Virginia 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.