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Vermont Medicaid’s Attendant Services Program
Overview of the Attendant Services Program
This program is designed for disabled, Vermont residents that require assistance to manage their activities of daily living. The program is based on the Cash and Counseling model in which the participant is responsible for hiring, training and managing their own care providers. This type of program is also referred to as consumer-direction, participant-direction or self-direction.
Friends, neighbors and family members can be hired to provide attendant care services. This means the adult children of aging parents that require assistance can be paid to be caregivers. However, spouses and civil union partners are excluded for being paid in this program.
To help avoid confusion, it is worth noting that there are the three possible funding sources for the Attendant Services Program and the name of the program changes slightly depending on the source. One might find the program referred to as General Fund Participant Directed Attendant Care (PDAC), Medicaid PDAC or General Fund Personal Services.
To help avoid confusion, it is worth noting that there are the three possible funding sources for the Attendant Services Program and the name of the program changes slightly depending on the source. One might find the program referred to as General Fund Participant Directed Attendant Care (PDAC), Medicaid PDAC or General Fund Personal Services.
Qualifications for the Attendant Services Program
The eligibility requirements for this program vary slightly depending on which source of funding is used. Regardless of funding source, program participants must meet functional and financial requirements. Functionally, persons must have a disability and require assistance managing at least two of their activities of daily living.
Financially, persons must be eligible for Medicaid or nearly eligible. This is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
It is worth noting that there are many exceptions to the income and assets limits and working with a professional Medicaid Planner can help individuals structure their income and assets using trusts to ensure their eligibility for the Attendant Services Program. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Financially, persons must be eligible for Medicaid or nearly eligible. This is a complicated process involving a review of a family’s income, assets and asset transfers as far back as 5 years. Rules change frequently but typically monthly income cannot exceed $2,000 and “countable asset” limits, excluding the car and home, range from $2,000 to $8,000.
It is worth noting that there are many exceptions to the income and assets limits and working with a professional Medicaid Planner can help individuals structure their income and assets using trusts to ensure their eligibility for the Attendant Services Program. Find assistance applying for Medicaid.
Benefits / Services Covered by the Attendant Services Program
This program provides personal assistance with the activities and instrumental activities of daily living. All of the following activities are possible though not everyone will be approved to receive assistance with each of them.
-Bathing
-Dressing
-Grooming
-Eating
-Mobility Assistance
-Meal Preparation
-Meal Planning
-Medication Administration
-Housekeeping
-Laundry
-Shopping for Groceries and Essentials
-Bathing
-Dressing
-Grooming
-Eating
-Mobility Assistance
-Meal Preparation
-Meal Planning
-Medication Administration
-Housekeeping
-Laundry
-Shopping for Groceries and Essentials
How to Apply for the Attendant Services Program
One can learn more about the program and download an application from the Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living webpage. Alternatively, an Attendant Services Program representative can be reached at the following toll-free number: 802-241-2196.
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.
