Everything you need to know about getting paid to care for a loved one in Connecticut
Yes. If you have Medicaid, you may be eligible to apply, even if you also have Medicare. Medicare alone does not cover long term in home personal care, but Medicaid is the program that allows family caregiver services to be approved. As long as you have active Medicaid and meet the care needs criteria in Connecticut, you can move forward with the application process.
Medicare alone does not cover long term in home caregiving, so it does not qualify you by itself. However, in Connecticut, you may still be eligible if you either qualify for Medicaid or meet the financial eligibility criteria for a state funded home care program.
Eligibility is based on income, assets, and care needs. Many people assume they earn too much or have too many assets, but the limits are often higher than expected. We see this often with families who are caring for a parent at home and paying out of pocket.
Medicaid is one way to qualify, but it is not the only option in Connecticut. In addition to Medicaid, some people qualify through a state funded home care program by meeting specific financial eligibility criteria.
Medicare alone does not cover long term personal care, even though it helps with doctor visits and hospital care. Eligibility for in-home care support is based on income, assets, and care needs, which are confirmed through an assessment.
If you are currently receiving services through another agency, you may be able to switch FreedomCare. The first step is to contact us so we can review your current services and explain what the transition process will look like in Connecticut. In most cases, this involves coordinating with your current provider and ensuring a new authorization is issued so services can transfer properly. We guide you through each step to help prevent gaps in care and make the process feel manageable.
Yes, receiving disability benefits or SSI does not prevent someone from qualifying. The key requirement is that the individual has active Medicaid or is eligible for Medicaid in Connecticut. Since Medicaid is the program that covers long term in home care services, eligibility is based on Medicaid status and care needs, not SSI alone. FreedomCare helps families understand how disability benefits and Medicaid work together and guides you through the next steps if you are unsure about your eligibility.
In most cases, your insurance provider will require you to choose between traditional home care services and Adult Family Living. These programs typically cannot run at the same time. FreedomCare operates as an Adult Family Living provider in Connecticut, which allows you to select a trusted family member to become your paid caregiver instead of using a traditional home attendant.
Yes, patients must call FreedomCare to request a caregiver change. The new caregiver must go through the enrollment process before they are able to work. For multiple caregivers, the process is the same.
Yes, in many cases you can still participate in the program while receiving hospice care. Hospice services and Adult Family Living can often work alongside each other, as they serve different purposes. Hospice focuses on comfort and medical support related to a serious illness, while a family caregiver helps with daily personal care needs at home.
No, there is no payment and no cost to participate in this program. This program is funded through Medicaid, which means there is no out of pocket cost for approved services. As long as you are eligible for Medicaid and meet the care requirements in Connecticut, the program covers the cost of in-home caregiving support.
If you have a Designated Representative, they will play a crucial role in coordinating your care with FreedomCare. They will be responsible for ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed and communicating with FreedomCare on your behalf. Your Designated Representative will also work closely with your case manager to facilitate any changes or updates to your care plan.
No, certification or prior formal training is not required to get started in Connecticut. If you are caring for a loved one through an approved Medicaid home care program, you can typically serve as their paid caregiver without becoming a certified home health aide. What matters most is that the patient qualifies for services and that you meet the program’s caregiver requirements. FreedomCare helps Connecticut families understand these requirements, complete the enrollment steps, and feel confident moving forward.
In Connecticut, a family caregiver is typically responsible for helping their loved one with essential daily activities that support health, safety, and independence at home.
These primary activities often include:
Depending on the care plan, caregivers may also help with additional daily tasks to ensure the individual’s needs are fully met. The exact responsibilities are determined through an assessment and outlined in the approved care plan.
Caregivers are paid weekly. Your pay is based on the submission of daily notes in the FreedomCare app.In Connecticut, caregivers can choose how they receive their weekly pay. Options include direct deposit, a mailed check, or a pay card provided at no cost. During enrollment, we help you select the option that works best for you and make sure everything is set up correctly so your payments arrive on time.
Yes, in some cases you may be able to care for more than one patient, as long as each individual is approved for services and you are authorized to provide care for both. Each patient must have their own assessment and approved care plan, and you must be able to meet the required hours and responsibilities for each person.
Having a misdemeanor on your record does not necessarily disqualify you as a caregiver. FreedomCare focuses on your ability to provide compassionate care rather than specific legal background. Connecticut does require a background check.
Caregivers must have an email address and a working smartphone to download and use our app, FreedomCare App.
Pay rates for family caregivers in Connecticut vary based on the program and level of care needed. With FreedomCare, you’ll receive reliable, competitive pay for the care you give your loved one.
FreedomCare is available in Connecticut, as well as several other states throughout the US. The FreedomCare team can help you explore options if you are caring for someone outside Connecticut.
In Connecticut, you may qualify if you are age 65 or older and you need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, preparing meals, cleaning, or getting around safely at home.
To determine your eligibility, a formal assessment is required. This assessment is usually completed through Maximus Clinical Services. During the assessment, they’ll review your medical needs, daily routine, and level of support required. If the assessment confirms that you need hands-on help each day, you may qualify to have a family member become your paid caregiver.
In Connecticut, Medicaid is not the only option. Many people qualify through a state funded home care program that uses financial eligibility guidelines instead of traditional Medicaid enrollment.
If you already have Medicaid, you may qualify for FreedomCare if you need help with daily activities at home. If you do not have Medicaid, you may still be eligible through Connecticut’s state funded program as long as you meet the income and asset requirements.
We know this part can feel confusing. Many families we help assume they are not eligible, only to find out they do qualify once we walk through the details together. FreedomCare helps you understand which program fits your situation, checks financial eligibility, and guides you through the next steps so you are not doing this alone.
You can choose a caregiver from a variety of individuals, including:
However, there are exceptions:
Additionally, caregivers must:
Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1. Confirm you qualify for Medicaid: or meet financial criteria: If you don’t already have Medicaid, contact FreedomCare to confirm your eligibility and we will help you sign up for the program.
Step 2. Schedule your assessments: Contact Medicaid to request an assessment for Adult Family Living services. This assessment confirms care needs and eligibility. We at FreedomCare help families through this process every day, from knowing what to ask for to preparing for the assessment, so you are not navigating it alone.
Step 3. Receive your Plan of Care: Receive an assessment to determine the level of care needed.
Step 4. Orientation Call: Once the assessment and all required documents are received, the FreedomCare Onboarding Team will schedule an orientation call that includes signing the contract and assisting the Caregiver with downloading the FreedomCare app.
Step 5. Welcome Call is scheduled: After the first submission on the app, a Care Team agent will reach out to welcome the caregiver and answer any questions. They will be the Caregivers main contact for any questions, issues, or concerns. .
Once your patient has been approved and has completed their enrollment process, here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: You will need to complete a competency exam and a background check.
Step 2: You will need to submit required documents, such as an ID and selfie.
Step 3: Your Orientation Call will be scheduled along with your patient to confirm your start date and complete final documents.
Pay rates for family caregivers in Connecticut vary based on the program and level of care needed. With FreedomCare, you’ll receive a reliable,timely, competitive pay for the care you give your loved one.
Enroll now to have a family member or a trusted friend care for you in your home.
