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Indiana Structured Family Caregiving

Indiana's Structured Family Caregiving program pays family caregivers a daily stipend through Indiana Medicaid HCBS waivers to provide in-home care to eligible waiver recipients as an alternative to nursing facility placement. The caregiver must live with the care recipient. Spouses may serve as caregivers. The caregiver is allowed to work outside the home but caregiving must be the primary focus. FSSA implemented the current Health & Wellness, TBI, and PathWays SFC changes effective July 1, 2024.

Pays family caregivers a daily stipend for providing in-home care to Medicaid-eligible waiver recipients who require a nursing-facility or institutional level of care. FSSA pays a daily rate to the SFC provider based on an approved service plan. Current IHCP guidance lists the provider rates as Level 1 $77.54/day, Level 2 $99.71/day, and Level 3 $133.44/day; effective July 1, 2025, SFC providers must use at least 60% of the daily rate for caregiver stipends and direct-service compensation. Level assignment is based on assessed need; transition guidance used Level 1 for 1-20 hours/week, Level 2 for 21-40 hours/week, and Level 3 for 41+ hours/week. Spouses may serve as caregivers. Foster parents can provide SFC to foster children. The caregiver is allowed to work outside the home. Includes up to 15 days of unskilled respite per calendar year; skilled respite is available as a separate waiver service. Caregiver coach and nursing staff provide in-person support visits. Available on Health & Wellness, TBI, and PathWays for Aging waivers. Effective July 1, 2024. Cannot receive attendant care, assisted living, or adult family care concurrently. Recipient age rules vary by waiver: PathWays serves age 60+, Health & Wellness serves age 59 and younger, and TBI requires a traumatic brain injury diagnosis and compatible Medicaid category rather than a universal SFC age floor.

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status required
  • Care recipient must have a qualifying disability
  • Must live with care recipient

Services

Pays family caregivers a daily stipend for providing in-home care to Medicaid-eligible waiver recipients who require a nursing-facility or institutional level of care. FSSA pays a daily rate to the SFC provider based on an approved service plan. Current IHCP guidance lists the provider rates as Level 1 $77.54/day, Level 2 $99.71/day, and Level 3 $133.44/day; effective July 1, 2025, SFC providers must use at least 60% of the daily rate for caregiver stipends and direct-service compensation. Level assignment is based on assessed need; transition guidance used Level 1 for 1-20 hours/week, Level 2 for 21-40 hours/week, and Level 3 for 41+ hours/week. Spouses may serve as caregivers. Foster parents can provide SFC to foster children. The caregiver is allowed to work outside the home. Includes up to 15 days of unskilled respite per calendar year; skilled respite is available as a separate waiver service. Caregiver coach and nursing staff provide in-person support visits. Available on Health & Wellness, TBI, and PathWays for Aging waivers. Effective July 1, 2024. Cannot receive attendant care, assisted living, or adult family care concurrently. Recipient age rules vary by waiver: PathWays serves age 60+, Health & Wellness serves age 59 and younger, and TBI requires a traumatic brain injury diagnosis and compatible Medicaid category rather than a universal SFC age floor.

How to apply

Use the official program page for application details: official program page.

  • medicaid (depends_on): Care recipient must be Medicaid-eligible
  • hcbs-waivers (companion): SFC is available through Indiana HCBS waivers including Health & Wellness, TBI, and PathWays for Aging