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Medicaid Structured Family Caregiving checklist

Structured Family Caregiving programs let an eligible family member become a paid, trained caregiver through Medicaid — but the specific program name, rules, and pay structure vary by state. Use this checklist to gather what you'll likely need, then confirm the exact process with your state's Medicaid office.

If the person you care for is a veteran, see our VA Family Caregiver Program checklist instead — it's a different, federal program.

Which state does the care recipient live in?

Structured Family Caregiving programs differ significantly by state — some states don't offer an equivalent program at all. This checklist is a general starting point, not a substitute for confirming exact rules with your state's Medicaid office.

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Confirm the care recipient is enrolled in (or eligible for) Medicaid in their state
Confirm the care recipient meets their state's required "level of care"This is usually a nursing-home level of care determination.
Identify your state's specific program nameNames vary — some states call this "Structured Family Caregiving," others use a different name under a Medicaid HCBS waiver.
Confirm the caregiver relationship qualifiesMany states exclude spouses from being paid caregivers — this is a common disqualifier, so check specifically.
Locate your state's application or waiver enrollment paperwork
Identify required caregiver training or certification, if applicable in your state
Gather the care recipient's medical documentation supporting their level-of-care need
Confirm how care hours need to be logged and reported once approvedReporting formats and deadlines vary by state.
Identify your state's Medicaid caseworker or point of contact

Once you know your state's specific requirements, FeatherKeep can help you track care hours, medical documentation, and training records automatically.

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This checklist is general information, not legal, medical, or benefits advice. Program names, eligibility, and pay structures change and vary by state — confirm current requirements with your state's Medicaid office before you apply.