To become a paid family caregiver through ALTCS, your family member must first be enrolled in the ALTCS program and meet its medical and financial criteria. Once approved, you can be designated as their caregiver. This typically involves connecting with a home care agency contracted with ALTCS, like Momba Home Care. The agency will generally handle your employment, training, and payroll.
Yes, under specific circumstances, a spouse can be paid as a caregiver in Arizona through the ALTCS program. This is often facilitated through an “Agency with Choice” model. The key requirement is that the spouse must be employed by an ALTCS-contracted home care agency like Momba Home Care. This structure is in place to help mitigate potential conflicts of interest.
However, there is a critical exception: if the spouse is also the legal guardian of the ALTCS recipient, they are never permitted to be a paid caregiver for the person they hold guardianship over.
ALTCS generally pays family caregivers for 30-40 hours per week, with a typical hourly rate of around $15.00. This can translate to up to $680 per week, depending on the number of approved hours and the specific arrangements with the employing home care agency.
Yes, Arizona’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS) funds the ALTCS program. ALTCS allows for family members, including spouses under the specific “Agency with Choice” conditions (and excluding legal guardians acting as caregivers), to be paid caregivers for eligible individuals. Payments are facilitated through contracted home care agencies like Momba Home Care.
The ‘Share of Cost’ is the amount an ALTCS member may need to contribute towards their care. If the recipient lives at home, a share of cost typically does not apply. However, if they reside in an assisted living facility or a residential care setting, their income (minus a personal needs allowance and other applicable deductions) is generally applied to the cost of care first, with ALTCS covering the remaining approved costs.
As of January 1, 2025, the gross monthly income limit for an individual applicant is $2,901, and countable resources (assets) cannot exceed $2,000 for a single applicant. There are special provisions, such as Miller Trusts (Income Only Trusts), that may allow individuals with income over this limit to still qualify. Asset rules for married couples are more complex.
Important Note: The rules and availability of these programs can be complex. Contacting a knowledgeable home care agency like Momba Home Care is the best way to get personalized advice and find out which program is the best fit for your family’s situation.