PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE WAIVER PROGRAM / PCA WAIVER

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), PCA Waiver enables people with disabilities to employ personal care attendants to help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, transfer, and toileting, as well as home chores, shopping, laundry, and other activities that are essential for independence. The Medicaid Waiver program allows a person with limitations in at least two activities of daily living, and with a monthly income restriction, to be eligible for Medicaid.

Under the PCA waiver, the consumer hires and trains the PCA. The consumer fills out a time sheet for his/her PCA and submits it to the state. The state will issue a check made out to the PCA and will mail it to the consumer. Under the PCA waiver, a fiscal contractor will handle the employer tax responsibilities, relieving the consumer of the responsibility of filing employer related tax forms.

ELIGIBILITY

Adults, ages 18 through 64, with disabilities who are institutionalized or who would be institutionalized without PCA services, and who have deficits in at least two activities of daily living, and who do not have community supports available to live independently are eligible for a PCA waiver. Income must be at or below 300% of the maximum SSI benefit and there are asset restrictions. Applicants must have Medicaid, or must apply for Medicaid and be pending or have a start date, or must spenddown to the Medicaid limit.
(People with disabilities who are eligible for Medicaid for the Employed Disabled are NOT subject to income and asset restrictions that are otherwise applicable to individuals receiving home and community-based services under the waiver.)

WHERE TO APPLY

Apply at Adult Services Social Work Units in DSS regional offices or call DSS Central Office in Hartford for information. Applicants' names are placed on a waiting list; waits may be about one year.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by Program name: PCA Waiver Program.

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SOURCE: Connecticut Departmen of Social Services
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2012