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Texas Community Attendant Services (CAS) Program
Overview of the Texas Community Attendant Services Program
The CAS Program is designed for Texas residents who are functionally unable to manage their activities of daily living without assistance. This program is an alternative to Medicaid; individuals who are eligible for Medicaid cannot receive care services in this program. Program participants receive non-technical attendant care in their homes.
Enrolled individuals have the option of using the state agency to manage their care services or they can participate in the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option which means they receive “cash and counseling” and are responsible for hiring, training and managing their own care providers. One especially attractive component of the CDS option is that friends and some family members can be hired as caregivers; they can be paid to provide attendant care services. Close relatives and legal guardians are typically excluded from this option.
While this model of program is often referred as Cash and Counseling, the name is slightly misleading. The CDS option requires the use of a fiscal intermediary that actually receives the money from the state and pays the care providers after payment has been authorized by the program participant.
While this model of program is often referred as Cash and Counseling, the name is slightly misleading. The CDS option requires the use of a fiscal intermediary that actually receives the money from the state and pays the care providers after payment has been authorized by the program participant.
Qualifications for the Texas Community Attendant Services Program
There are medical and financial eligibility requirements for the CAS Program. Functionally, individuals must be unable to perform some of their activities of daily living without assistance such as dressing, eating, transferring, toileting or basic mobility. Their need for assistance must be documented by a medical doctor.
Financially, individuals must have an annual income of less than $24,264 and assets / resources valued at less than $2,000. For couples, the annual income limit is twice the individual limit and the resource limit is $3,000. Note that some assets, such as a home, may be considered exempt.
There are no age restrictions on this program. Individuals whose income and medical condition makes them eligible for Medicaid cannot also be eligible for the CAS Program. However there is a similar program for Medicaid eligible Texas residents called the Primary Home Care (PHC) Program.
Financially, individuals must have an annual income of less than $24,264 and assets / resources valued at less than $2,000. For couples, the annual income limit is twice the individual limit and the resource limit is $3,000. Note that some assets, such as a home, may be considered exempt.
There are no age restrictions on this program. Individuals whose income and medical condition makes them eligible for Medicaid cannot also be eligible for the CAS Program. However there is a similar program for Medicaid eligible Texas residents called the Primary Home Care (PHC) Program.
Benefits / Services Covered by the Texas Community Attendant Services Program
CAS provides up to 50 hours / week of personal attendant services that can include the following areas.
Personal Care – Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, toileting, medication administration and mobility.
Home Management – Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as housekeeping, laundry, meal planning and preparation and shopping for groceries and other essentials.
Personal Care – Assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, toileting, medication administration and mobility.
Home Management – Assistance with the instrumental activities of daily living such as housekeeping, laundry, meal planning and preparation and shopping for groceries and other essentials.
How to Apply for the Texas Community Attendant Services Program
The CAS Program is managed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, also known as DADS. To apply, one should contact their local DADS office. One can also read more about the program on their website.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
