Can You Be Paid to Care for Your Spouse in Missouri?

Missouri's CDS program doesn't allow a spouse as the paid caregiver. Here is what the state says, and one federal option for veterans' spouses.

If your husband or wife needs daily help, you may wonder whether Missouri will pay you to provide it. The short answer for Missouri's Consumer Directed Services (CDS) program is no: a spouse can't be the paid caregiver. There is one federal option that can apply if your spouse is a veteran. This page explains both, using the state's and the VA's own wording.

What Missouri Says About Spouses in CDS

In CDS, the participant chooses and directs their own caregiver, called a personal care attendant. The state's Home and Community Based Services policy says the attendant may be a family member, "However, the attendant cannot be the participant's spouse or legal guardian."

That means:

A husband or wife cannot be paid as the CDS attendant for their spouse.
Another relative can. An adult child, a sibling, a grandchild or another family member may be hired as the attendant if the participant qualifies for CDS and the relative meets the requirements.
A legal guardian can't be the paid attendant either.

See Can a Family Member Be Paid to Be a Caregiver in Missouri? for who can be paid and how it works.

A Federal Option for Veterans' Spouses

If your spouse is a veteran, the VA runs the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. The VA lists spouses among the family members who can be a Primary Family Caregiver. Eligible caregivers can receive a monthly stipend, along with training and other support.

According to the VA, the veteran must generally:

Have a VA disability rating of 70 percent or higher
Need in-person personal care for at least six continuous months
Be enrolled in VA health care

The stipend amount is set by a VA formula based on the veteran's needs and location, so there isn't one fixed figure. The VA decides eligibility, and program rules can change, so contact the VA's Caregiver Support Program for the current requirements.

What Else to Try

Ask your Area Agency on Aging. Call the Missouri Senior Resource Line at 1-800-235-5503 and ask about caregiver support in your area.
Check other family members. If an adult child could qualify as the CDS attendant, the participant can choose them.
Ask the state before assuming. Program rules change, so confirm with the Division of Senior and Disability Services.

How HomeTeam Can Help

HomeTeam is a Missouri Consumer Directed Services (CDS) vendor based in Ballwin. CDS is a Medicaid program that lets eligible participants choose their own caregiver, including a family member in many cases, and HomeTeam handles the payroll and paperwork. If you're not sure who in your family could be the caregiver, call HomeTeam at (314) 863-5987 and we'll explain your options.

Common Questions

Can my spouse be paid through CDS if we're separated or divorced?
The state's rule names the participant's spouse. If your situation is unclear, ask the Division of Senior and Disability Services.

Can someone else in the family be paid to care for my spouse?
In CDS, a relative who isn't the spouse or legal guardian can be, if the participant qualifies. For other programs, ask your Area Agency on Aging.