CT Home Care Program

In Home Counseling

What is the CT Home Care program?

CT Home Care Program for Elders, is a special program for people age 65 and older who meet the physical and financial eligibility criteria. If you are on CHCPE, please contact your case manager and have them make a referral to Connected Counseling LLC for mental health services.

To be eligible, applicants must be 65 years of age or older, be a Connecticut resident, be at risk of nursing home placement and meet the program’s financial eligibility criteria. To be at risk of nursing home placement means that the applicant needs assistance with critical needs such as bathing, dressing, eating, taking medications and toileting. 

The CHCPE helps eligible clients remain at home with the help of home care services instead of going to a nursing home. Each applicant’s needs are reviewed to determine if the applicant may remain at home with the help of services in the home.

For more information on eligibility criteria, please see go to CT.gov.

Community Options

The Department of Social Services, Agency on Aging administers the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders: Community Options Program

The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, is a Community Option for people age 65 or over and who are at risk of being institutionalized ( i.e nursing home). People at risk of nursing home placement have difficulties taking care of themselves. CHCPE provides a safety net of services for seniors in their homes including help with bathing, walking, taking medications, homemaker/companion services; each care plan is based on the individuals needs. Each case manager will go over care plan limits for each person.

How do I apply?

There are two ways one can apply for CT Home Care Program; Applicants complete an application either over the phone 1-800-445-5394 or online https://www.ascendami.com/CTHomeCareForElders/default/. Once the application is submitted; the Department of Social Services Case Manager will contact you or your loved one to schedule an interview. Applicants must submit supporting documents to complete the application process. The CT Home Care Program discusses all the services available and will ask you for information during your interview to determine if this program is right for you.

The CT Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) is Funded by the state through the State Medicaid waiver or directly funded by the State designed to help seniors who are at risk of entering a nursing facility.

Some eligibility requirements are:

  • 65 years or older individuals
  • income limit
  • asset limit
  • require assistance in at least 3 critical areas in activities of daily living. The activities of daily living may include bathing, dressing, taking medications, feeding and mobility.
  • must meet income criteria for Medicaid – Your total income before any deductions including any deductions for Medicare premiums; include pensions

For more information on eligibility criteria, please see go to CT.gov.

Some of the services include:

  • care management
  • visiting nurse services
  • home health aides – personal care
  • chore assistance
  • homemakers
  • companion services
  • adult day care
  • delivered meals
  • Personal Emergency Medical Alert Device -Life Alert
  • respite care
  • assistive technology
  • transportation
  • and other services necessary to support independent living

True stories

Frequently Asked Questions

How to I apply for CT Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE)?
What information do I need when I apply?

Just to name a few

  • Type of help needed ( Examples: bathing, using the bathroom, assistance with standing/walking, mental health).
  • Income amount ( examples: Social Security, pension, disability)
  • Information on Assets – ASSETS OWNED BY YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE- for additional information on assets go to link ( example Life insurance; income limits; asset limits) https://www.ascendami.com/CTHomeCareForElders/default/HomeCareForEldersInstructions.aspx
  • Do you have Medicaid?
  • Divorce papers/ spousal death certificates
  • Proof of ID: Connecticut State Residents ID card
  • Bank information
  • Your medical diagnosis
  • Do you currently use assistive technology

I only need someone to clean my house?

CHCPE does not provide stand alone house cleaning service or companion services. These services compliment home health services.

What if my income is too high and meet financial eligibility?

CHCPE will provide you and your loved ones with community services, if your income is over the income limit you may have to pay a copay for services. Provided you are within the asset limit.

What if I have Life Insurance policies?

The CHCPE looks at the total amount the Whole Life Insurance is worth. The cash out amount of ALL life insurance policies should not exceed $1,500.00. (The total cash surrender value of all policies is counted as assets.) Term Life policies are excluded regardless of value.

Is the Program Completely FREE?

There are two funding sources, once accepted into the programs are: State Funded and Medicaid Funded.

Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in CT?

Family can be considered as a paid caregiver. Your case manager can review this option with you.

Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in CT?

Yes, assisted living can be paid. There are specified sites that are eligible throughout Connecticut.

What is Money Follows the Person CT?

Money Follows the Person (MFP) is a federal program that helps Medicaid-eligible persons currently living in long-term care facilities/ nursing home care and other qualified institutions – successfully transition back into the community.

What is CCC?

Connecticut Community Care (CCC) provides services and benefits to help people of all ages, abilities and incomes to live at home. They have partnerships with the Department of Social Services (DSS) through the CHCPE, Money Follows the Person (MFP), Community First Choice (CFC), the Personal Care Attendant and Acquired Brain Injury waivers. Connecticut residents receive reliable, high quality services through these programs.

If you are an established client with CT Home Care Program for Elders, please contact your Case Manager and have them make a referral to Connected Counseling LLC for your mental health needs.

How can the ct home care program help you?

Private

Your sessions are private and not shared with anyone. You can feel secure that what you say here, stays here. 

Convenient

No commute time. Keep your other appointments. 

Healthy

Counseling is a way to improve your mental health towards a more fulfilling life.

confidential

You don’t have to worry about who may have seen you go into a counselors office nor do you have to worry about someone at the office over-hearing your conversation. 

The ct care program helps you deal with

happy elderly couple

In your first consultation we will help you determine if the CT Home Care Program is right for you.

We’ll discuss your goals and if counseling is right for you.