Yes, South Dakota helps pay for in-home care for eligible seniors. Individuals aged 65 and older living in South Dakota may be eligible to apply for a waiver that covers in-home care services. The Home and Community-Based Options and Person Centered Excellence (HOPE) Waiver provides home care services for individuals who might otherwise need to live in a long-term care facility. Eligible seniors must meet several requirements based on their income and health needs.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the HOPE Waiver, individuals must be 65 or older or 18 with a qualifying disability. They must complete a needs assessment and cannot currently be living in a long-term care facility. Qualifying individuals must already participate in at least one waiver program in South Dakota. Additionally, they are required to meet financial eligibility requirements, with an income limit of no more than 300% of the current Supplemental Security Income (SSI) standard benefit amount.  

In-Home Care Services Provided

The HOPE Waiver offers a variety of services to eligible South Dakota residents. In-home nursing services are determined based on the individual’s identified needs. Personal care services, meal delivery and chore services may also be available. It’s important to understand that services offered under the HOPE Waiver may have limits on how many hours of service an individual may receive per year. Additionally, in-home care services provided through this program cannot exceed the cost of nursing home care.