National question: Can a family caregiver get paid? Official programs decide eligibility.

Indiana INCharge Self-Directed Services¶

Indiana INCharge lets eligible HCBS waiver participants hire, pay, and manage workers for selected services. A case manager or service coordinator and a financial management service support the participant. Paid-worker rules differ from Structured Family Caregiving.

Control over the workers, schedule, and approved budget for selected waiver services. The participant or an unpaid representative directs the work. Financial Management Services supports employer enrollment, payroll, taxes, and required worker checks.

Some details for this program are still being verified. Check the official source for the most current information.

Questions to ask the program¶

These are questions to ask the program, not a verdict on your eligibility. Confirm the current rules directly with the program.

Does the person receiving care live in Indiana? — Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.
Is there a caregiver-specific department, coordinator, or support line? Ask for it by name. — Many agencies have one that isn’t advertised on the website.
What documents do you need from us to start an application?
Is there a waitlist right now, and how long is it?

What this record does not yet say¶

complete waiver eligibility paths
medicaid financial and october 2026 immigration rules
paid worker and representative role checks
current service wage ranges and individual budget
current employer and employee packets
service start decision timing
current capacity by waiver
participant training evaluator

Services¶

Control over the workers, schedule, and approved budget for selected waiver services. The participant or an unpaid representative directs the work. Financial Management Services supports employer enrollment, payroll, taxes, and required worker checks.

How to apply¶

Talk to your case manager or service coordinator about the services you can self-direct.
Complete the required participant training and create the person-centered plan, Self-Directed Services Worksheet, and backup plan.
The case manager or service coordinator connects you with Palco for employer enrollment. Each selected worker completes employee enrollment, checks, and required training.
Wait for Palco to confirm that the worker can begin services. Use the approved budget and review worker timesheets.

Use the official program page for application details: official program page.

sfc-in (companion): Structured Family Caregiving is a separate service with different paid-caregiver rules. Spouse payment under SFC does not establish INCharge worker eligibility.

Who can be a paid worker¶

INCharge does not allow the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, or parent of a minor participant to be a paid self-directed worker. The unpaid representative also cannot be the paid worker. Other workers must be at least 18, pass a background check, and complete required training. These rules concern paid workers; they do not prevent a spouse from helping an eligible participant as an unpaid representative. [Official source]

Services differ by waiver¶

H&W, PathWays, and TBI allow self-direction of attendant care, respite, and home and community assistance. Family Supports lists participant assistance and care, respite, and workplace assistance. CIH lists hourly residential habilitation and support, respite, and workplace assistance. SFC is a separate service. [Official source]

Waiver eligibility still applies¶

INCharge is an option within five different waivers. It does not impose one disability or age rule across all participants. DFR and the waiver team must check the correct category and financial rules. Indiana’s announced October 1, 2026 immigration change requires another review before that date. [Official source]