Family members can get paid for caregiving in Alabama through the Personal Choices program. Although Alabama doesn’t directly compensate residents who care for family members, this program allows seniors to pay for the caregiver of their choice. Recipients get a monthly allowance to spend on a professional home care aide, family caregiver or anyone else who takes care of them in their home. 

Personal Choices Program

Personal Choices is an option for Alabama residents who are recipients of a Home and Community-Based Choices (HCBS) Waiver. This is a self-directed program that allows recipients to choose their own caregiver, such as a family member, neighbor or friend. In addition to paying family caregivers, seniors can use their monthly allowance for medical equipment, meal deliveries, housekeeping and other services they need to safely stay in their homes.

When a senior first signs up, they’ll be assigned a counselor who will help them develop a personal care plan and budget depending on their unique needs. Recipients also gain access to a Financial Management Services Agency (FMSA) which helps them keep track of expenses, file taxes and pay vendors they’ve hired.

Home and Community-Based Services Waivers

To qualify for Personal Choices, a senior must also be a recipient of one of Alabama’s HCBS Waivers. Alabama has several HCBS Waivers, but the two most applicable to seniors are the Elderly & Disabled (E&D) and Alabama Community Transition (ACT) Waivers. These programs are similar, but the ACT Waiver is aimed at people who want to transition from a nursing facility back to their own home. Both programs provide case management, personal care, caregiver respite, housekeeping and home-delivered meals. ACT also covers medical equipment and home modifications, such as wheelchair ramps.

To be eligible for either program, seniors must require a nursing home level of care. For E&C, they also need to be disabled. The income limit for both programs is $2,523 per month, and the asset limit is $2,000.