Guide to Connecticut Home Care Programs and Caregiver Costs
- May 31, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Connecticut has several ways to receive support at home, but eligibility, payment rules, and caregiver requirements differ by program. The safest starting point is to identify the person’s age, disability, care needs, insurance, income and asset situation, and whether skilled medical care or ongoing personal assistance is needed. This guide was reviewed against current Connecticut Department of Social Services and Medicare information on August 5, 2026.
Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders
The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, commonly called CHCPE, helps eligible older adults remain at home instead of entering a nursing facility. Connecticut DSS reviews each applicant’s functional and financial circumstances before approving services.
Basic CHCPE Eligibility
The applicant is at least 65 years old.
The applicant is a Connecticut resident.
The person is at risk of nursing home placement because help is needed with critical daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, medication routines, or toileting.
The applicant meets the financial rules for the part of the program being considered. Current limits should be confirmed directly with DSS because they can change.
Services That May Be Available
Care management and person centered service planning.
Personal care, homemaker, companion, chore, and adult family living services when authorized.
Adult day health and community based support.
Home delivered meals and other approved supports.
Assistive technology, bill payer, care transitions, and chronic disease self management when the individual plan supports them.
How to Apply or Make a Referral
Use the current CHCPE application or online referral path on the Connecticut DSS website.
Telephone: 1 800 445 5394. Select option 4 for referrals or option 2 for financial eligibility questions.
Prepare information about daily living needs, diagnoses, medications, current supports, household members, income, assets, insurance, and the safest way to communicate with the applicant.
How Costs and Payment Work
Do not rely on a single statewide price estimate. Home care costs vary according to the number of hours, level of assistance, worker qualifications, agency or self directed model, overtime, minimum shift rules, location, and whether a public program pays for part of the care.
The current Connecticut DSS fees page states that people receiving the state funded portion of CHCPE are subject to a 9 percent copayment. A care manager should confirm the current rule and explain the amount before services begin. Medicaid funded and other waiver services follow their own financial and service authorization rules.
Can a Family Member Be Paid
For CHCPE personal care attendant services, Connecticut DSS states that family members generally are not eligible to be paid for caring for relatives except in very rare circumstances. Other Medicaid, self directed, disability, or adult family living programs may use different rules. The correct answer depends on the exact program, relationship, living arrangement, and approved service plan. Obtain the answer in writing from the program before assuming payment is available.
What Medicare Home Health Covers
Medicare home health is not the same as ongoing custodial home care. Medicare may cover eligible part time or intermittent skilled nursing, therapy, and related home health services when a qualified provider orders the care, the person meets the homebound requirements, and a Medicare certified home health agency provides the services. Medicare does not generally pay for continuous personal assistance when that is the only care needed.
Questions to Ask Before Care Begins
What exact tasks, hours, goals, and safety supports are authorized in the written plan.
Which costs are covered, which costs are private, and what written notice will be given before an uncovered charge.
Who provides backup coverage if the regular worker is absent.
What screening, training, supervision, insurance, and complaint procedures apply.
How to request a change, appeal a decision, report a safety issue, or choose a different provider when the program allows it.
Communication and Memory Accommodations
Request written instructions, appointment summaries, deadlines, contact names, and copies of submitted documents.
Ask the agency to communicate with an approved support person or representative when authorized by the applicant.
Request plain language, extra processing time, reminders, large print, an interpreter, video remote interpreting, or another effective communication method when needed.
Official Sources
This page provides general information. Program rules, financial standards, services, telephone numbers, and copayments can change. Confirm the current requirements with Connecticut DSS, Medicare, the health plan, and the assigned care manager before making a financial or care decision.
