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Utah's The Alternatives Program (TAP) Eligibility and Benefits
Overview of The Alternatives Program
Utah's Alternatives Program is also referred to as TAP (an abbreviation for The Alternative Program). This program provides in-home services to eligible Utah residents with the objective of preventing the premature or unnecessary placement of individuals in nursing homes. This is a state-funded, non-Medicaid assistance program specifically designed to prevent individuals from having to spend-down their resources and enroll in Medicaid.
The cost of services is based on a sliding scale determined by a family's income, assets and level of financial hardship. Final decisions are made by the local administering Area Agency on Aging.
Utah's Alternative Program allows for consumer direction in certain areas of service. Consumer direction, sometimes referred to as self-direction or cash and counseling, means the individual receiving care is able to select their care provider rather than have the caregiver determined by the program. Certain family members can be selected as care providers, meaning family members can be paid caregivers. Spouses are not eligible to be paid, however the adult children and siblings are eligible provided they obtain a Utah business license.
Utah's Alternative Program allows for consumer direction in certain areas of service. Consumer direction, sometimes referred to as self-direction or cash and counseling, means the individual receiving care is able to select their care provider rather than have the caregiver determined by the program. Certain family members can be selected as care providers, meaning family members can be paid caregivers. Spouses are not eligible to be paid, however the adult children and siblings are eligible provided they obtain a Utah business license.
Qualifications for The Alternatives Program
To be eligible for Utah's Alternative Program, state residents must be at least 18 years of age and be at risk for placement in a nursing home. There are also financial requirements which determine if the care is provided free of charge or based on a sliding scale. Final financial eligibility is determined by the local administering agency however typically one's income must be near the federal poverty level and they must have limited assets excluding their home and vehicle.
Benefits / Services of The Alternatives Program
Under TAP, there are a broad range of services and supports designed to allow the individual to remain living at home or in the community instead of in a nursing home. These include:
-Adult Day Care
-Case Management
-Homemaker and Chore Services
-Home Modifications and Assistive Technology
-Personal Care
-Personal Emergency Response System
-Respite Care
-Adult Day Care
-Case Management
-Homemaker and Chore Services
-Home Modifications and Assistive Technology
-Personal Care
-Personal Emergency Response System
-Respite Care
How to Apply for The Alternatives Program
Enrollment in Utah's Alternatives Program is managed by the state's network of Area Agencies on Aging. One can find their local Area Agency here. More information is available about this program on Utah's Department of Human Services website here.
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.
