Serving Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel & Central Indiana — care built around your family's schedule
Get paid to care for a family member in Indianapolis
If you’re already caring for a parent, spouse, or loved one at home, Indiana’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program can pay you a tax-free daily stipend for the care you already provide. Vital Home Care verifies your eligibility, handles the Medicaid paperwork, trains you, and supports you with a nurse and care coordinator — serving Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel & Central Indiana.
The program
What is Structured Family Caregiving in Indiana?
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) is an Indiana Medicaid program that pays a family member — or another live-in caregiver — to provide daily care for a loved one at home, instead of that person moving into a nursing facility. It’s part of Indiana’s home and community-based services under the PathWays for Aging waiver (age 60+) and the Health & Wellness Waiver (under 60).
Unlike hourly attendant care, SFC pays a flat daily stipend for the time you spend when you live with and care for someone who needs help. In most cases, the stipend is tax-free under IRS guidance for live-in caregivers (always confirm with a tax professional). You can care for more than one qualifying loved one in the same home and be paid for each.
Vital Home Care is a licensed provider agency: we don’t set your eligibility or care level (the state assigns that through a nurse assessment), but we make the whole process simple — from the first eligibility check to your first payment.
How much it pays
Pay is based on your loved one’s care level
A nurse assessment (through your local Area Agency on Aging or your PathWays health plan) assigns one of three care levels. The higher the assessed level of care, the higher the daily stipend. Pay is by day, not by the hour.
Level 1
Basic daily support
Lowest daily rate
Help with some activities of daily living — meals, reminders, light personal care and supervision.
Level 2
Moderate care
Mid daily rate
More hands-on daily help with bathing, dressing, mobility and personal care throughout the day.
Level 3
Extensive care
Highest daily rate
Around-the-clock, extensive assistance for loved ones with the greatest daily care needs.
Daily stipend amounts are set by the State of Indiana and adjusted over time, and the level is assigned through the official state assessment — not by Vital Home Care. Call us for current rates and a free estimate of what your family may qualify for.
Who qualifies
Eligibility for Indiana’s paid caregiver program
Both the person receiving care and the caregiver need to meet a few requirements. Most families are surprised to learn they qualify — we check for free.
The person receiving care
The paid caregiver
Paid family caregiver program
Get paid to care for a parent or spouse
Through Indiana’s Structured Family Caregiving program, an eligible family member can be trained, supported and paid a daily stipend for care they’re likely already giving.
Who can be paid
Who can be the paid family caregiver?
Adult children
Caring for a parent — the most common SFC arrangement.
Spouses
Indiana is one of few states that allows a live-in spouse to be paid through SFC.
Other relatives
Grandchildren, siblings, or other live-in family members.
Live-in friends
A trusted friend or caregiver who lives with the person receiving care.
The one rule to know
For SFC, the caregiver must live in the same home as the loved one. If you don’t live together, you may still qualify through a different Indiana program — we’ll help you find the right fit.
How to get started
From first call to first payment
1
Free eligibility check
Call or apply online — we review your situation, no cost, no obligation.
2
Medicaid & waiver
We help confirm the Medicaid and PathWays or H&W waiver, and request the assessment.
3
Care-level assessment
A nurse assessment assigns the care level that sets your daily stipend.
4
Enroll & train
You enroll with us and complete free training — a nurse and coordinator back you up.
5
Get paid
You start receiving your tax-free daily stipend for the care you provide at home.
Timelines vary. Because of program demand, Indiana may place applicants on a waitlist, so the sooner you start, the better. Our team keeps things moving and keeps you updated at every step.
“The little moments — a shared cup of tea, help in the kitchen — are still the heart of it. We just make sure there’s real support behind them.”
Free eligibility check
See if you can get paid to care
Most family members qualify. Find out in one quick call — no cost, no obligation.
What you get, free
Paid caregiver questions — answered
Everything Indiana families ask about getting paid
Can I get paid to take care of my parent in Indiana?
Yes. If your parent has Medicaid and qualifies for a PathWays for Aging or Health & Wellness waiver with a nursing facility level of care, an eligible family member can be paid a tax-free daily stipend through Structured Family Caregiving.
How much does Indiana pay family caregivers?
SFC pays a flat daily stipend based on one of three assessed care levels — the higher the care level, the higher the daily rate. Amounts are set by the state and adjusted over time. Call (317) 863-6281 for current rates and a free estimate.
Do I need experience or a certification?
No prior experience or certification is required. Vital Home Care provides free training — you’ll also have a nurse and care coordinator supporting you.
What if my loved one isn’t on Medicaid yet?
That’s okay — we help families apply for Indiana Medicaid and navigate the waiver process from the very beginning.
Can I care for more than one person?
Yes. If more than one qualifying loved one lives in your home, you can be paid for caring for each of them.
Can I get paid to care for my spouse in Indiana?
Yes — Indiana is one of the few states that allows a live-in spouse to be paid through the SFC program, provided your spouse qualifies for the specific waiver.
Is the SFC stipend taxable?
In most cases, daily stipends are tax-free under IRS guidance for live-in caregivers. Because every situation is different, we always recommend confirming with a tax professional.
Do I have to live with my loved one?
For Structured Family Caregiving, yes — the caregiver must live in the same home. If you live apart, you may qualify through a different program, and we’ll help you find it.
How long does it take to get approved?
It varies, and Indiana may place applicants on a waitlist due to program demand, so it’s best to start early. Our team keeps things moving and keeps you updated.
What happens if my loved one goes to the hospital?
SFC payments pause during a hospital stay and resume once your loved one safely returns home.
Turn the care you already give into a paycheck
Free eligibility check · Tax-free daily stipend · We handle every form