ALTCS Eligibility Basics: Does My Loved One Qualify for Paid Care?
When a family discovers they might be able to get paid for providing care to a loved one with a developmental disability, the first question is usually: Who pays for this?
In Arizona, the funding for paid family caregivers does not come directly from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) itself. Instead, it comes from the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), which is a branch of the state’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS).
Before you can be hired as a paid caregiver under the Agency with Choice (AWC) model, the individual receiving care must be approved for ALTCS. Here is a basic breakdown of how eligibility works.
The Two-Part Eligibility Test
To qualify for ALTCS, the applicant (the person receiving care) must pass two distinct assessments:
Medical Eligibility: The state will conduct an assessment to determine if the individual requires an "institutional level of care." This does not mean they need to live in a facility; it simply means their medical, physical, or developmental needs are significant enough that they require daily, hands-on assistance to stay safely in their own home.
Financial Eligibility: Because ALTCS is a Medicaid program, there are strict income and asset limits for the applicant. Note: If the applicant is a minor child, parental income is often waived or counted differently under specific DDD guidelines.
From ALTCS to AWC
Once your loved one is approved for ALTCS and enrolled in DDD, a Support Coordinator will work with your family to create a service plan. This plan will authorize a specific number of in-home care hours each week.
Once those hours are authorized, you have the right to choose who provides that care. Rather than waiting on a traditional agency to assign a stranger, you can choose the Agency with Choice (AWC) model.
By partnering with Nova Z Health Services, you can formally hire a trusted friend or family member. We handle the complex ALTCS/Medicaid billing, process the payroll, and manage the employer taxes so you can focus entirely on your loved one’s care.
