Kentucky
Home & Community Based Waiver - Participant Directed Services (HCB Waiver PDS)
Self-directed care programs in Kentucky that let you choose your own personal assistant or pay a family member as your caregiver.
Home & Community Based Waiver - Participant Directed Services
Waitlist ActivePA Hourly Rate
$7.26 - $11.52
per hour
Monthly Benefit
$600 - $2,500
estimated range
What You Can & Can't Do
What You Can Do
- Hire your spouse or family members as paid caregivers
- Direct your own care schedule and caregiver tasks
- Receive personal care, homemaker, and respite services
- Use a financial management service for payroll
- Request reassessment when needs change
- Choose between participant-directed and agency-directed services
What You Can't Do
- Set your own caregiver pay rate (rates are state-determined)
- Use PDS funds for medical or nursing procedures
- Exceed your approved service plan hours or budget
- Skip the financial management service requirement
- Hire a caregiver who fails the background check
- Receive PDS while living in a nursing facility
How to Apply
Apply for Kentucky Medicaid
Ensure Medicaid enrollment through the Kentucky DCBS at (800) 635-2570.
Request waiver referral
Contact the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) or your Area Development District (ADD) for a waiver referral.
Complete eligibility assessment
A case manager evaluates whether you meet the level of care required for waiver services.
Join the waitlist if applicable
If approved, you may be waitlisted until a slot opens. Priority is based on urgency of need.
Elect Participant Directed Services
Choose PDS as your preferred service delivery model.
Develop person-centered plan
Work with your case manager and support broker to create a care plan with authorized services.
Hire caregivers through FMS
Recruit caregivers and enroll them through your assigned financial management service.
PA Documents & Requirements
What your personal assistant needs to get started in Kentucky
Government-issued photo ID
Valid identification document
Social Security card
For payroll processing
W-4 tax withholding form
Federal tax withholding
I-9 Employment Eligibility
Work authorization documentation
Kentucky criminal background check
KSP background investigation
Nurse aide abuse registry check
Clearance from Kentucky's Nurse Aide Abuse Registry
Direct deposit form
Banking details for electronic payment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HCB Waiver PDS in Kentucky?
The Home & Community Based Waiver with Participant Directed Services allows you to hire and manage your own caregivers, including setting their schedule and directing what tasks they perform.
Can my spouse be my caregiver in Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky allows spouses to be paid caregivers under the participant-directed option, which is a significant benefit compared to many other states.
What are the pay rates for caregivers in Kentucky?
Caregiver rates range from $7.26 to $11.52 per hour. These are among the lower rates nationally, reflecting Kentucky's lower cost of living.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes. Kentucky's HCB waiver has an active waitlist. Wait times vary but can range from a few months to several years depending on the specific waiver and region.
What services are covered under PDS?
Personal care, homemaker services, respite, companion services, and community living supports. Your individual plan determines which services you receive.
Do I need to use a fiscal intermediary?
Yes. All PDS participants must use a state-approved fiscal intermediary (also called a financial management service) to handle payroll, taxes, and compliance for their caregivers.
Ready to check your eligibility?
Answer a few questions and we'll tell you if you qualify for Kentucky's HCB Waiver PDS program.