Authorizations
IHSS in California: What Home Care Agencies Need to Know
IHSS is consumer-directed: the recipient hires the provider and the state pays. Agencies mostly serve IHSS clients with private-pay hours, plus contract mode in a few counties.
Can you get paid to care for a family member in Arkansas?
Last verified October 17, 2026 · All Arkansas resources
Yes, through one program we verified. In Arkansas, IndependentChoices lets Medicaid members who need personal care hire and manage their own caregiver, including an adult child or other relative. Spouses, legal guardians, powers of attorney and income payees cannot be hired. The person receiving care must be on Medicaid and be assessed as needing personal care or ARChoices attendant care. The participant gets a monthly allowance, and a fiscal agent handles payroll.
| Can a spouse be paid? | Not confirmed |
|---|---|
| Can a parent of a minor child be paid? | Not confirmed |
Which Arkansas programs pay family caregivers?
IndependentChoices
- Type: Medicaid self-direction
- Who can be paid: Family members and friends the participant hires as personal assistants. A spouse, court-appointed legal guardian, power of attorney, income payee or the participant's representative cannot be paid.
- Who qualifies for care: Arkansas Medicaid members who are elderly or have disabilities and are assessed as needing state plan personal care, or ARChoices waiver members assessed as needing attendant care.
Are there national programs too?
Yes. Veterans may qualify for VA programs that pay or support family caregivers: Veteran Directed Care and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
Sources
More for Arkansas
Paid family caregivers by state: other states
Related guides
Authorizations
How to Become a Medicaid Provider for Home Care
To bill Medicaid for home care you need a state license, a Type 2 NPI, state Medicaid enrollment and screening, waiver or managed care contracts, EVV and authorizations.
These free tools are made by the team behind Caregiver Scheduling, caregiver scheduling software for home care agencies.
Simple pricing
From $199 /month
Up to 10 caregivers on Starter, 50 on Growth.
More than 50 caregivers? We'll put together a custom Scale plan for your agency.