Long-term care is a term that refers to the ongoing assistance that some people need with their daily activities due to aging, disability, or chronic illness. Long-term care can be provided in various settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or at home. However, many people prefer to receive long-term care at home, where they can maintain their independence and comfort.
One of the challenges of receiving long-term care at home is the cost. Long-term care can be expensive, and not everyone can afford it out of pocket. Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities, does not cover most long-term care services. Medicaid, the joint federal and state health insurance program for low-income people, does cover long-term care, but only for those who meet specific financial and medical criteria.
Fortunately, some Medicaid programs offer more flexibility and options for people needing long-term home care. One of these programs is the Global Options for Long-Term Care (GO) Waiver in New Jersey. In this article, we cover the GO Waiver, who is eligible for it, what services and supports it offers, and how it compensates family caregivers who provide long-term care at home.
The GO Waiver is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver program that provides services and supports for individuals who require nursing facility-level care but wish to remain in their homes or community settings. The GO Waiver allows participants more choice and control over their long-term care services and providers. It also enables participants to hire their own personal care assistants, including family members, friends, or neighbors.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Division of Aging Services (DoAS) administer the GO Waiver. The GO Waiver operates under a federal waiver authority that allows the state to waive specific Medicaid rules and regulations to provide more flexible and individualized services to eligible participants.
The GO Waiver serves individuals who are 65 years of age or older and individuals with physical disabilities who are 21 years of age or older. The GO Waiver has an enrollment cap of 26,000 participants as of 2023. The GO Waiver is an entitlement program, which means that there is no waiting list for eligible applicants.
To be eligible for the GO Waiver, an individual must meet the following requirements:
The income limit for the GO Waiver is 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR), which is $2,382 per month for an individual and $4,764 per month for a couple in 2023. The resource limit is $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Resources are assets that can be converted to cash, such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Some resources are excluded from the limit, such as a primary residence, one vehicle, personal belongings, etc.
The GO Waiver offers various services and supports to help participants live independently and safely in their homes or community settings. The services and supports include:
One of the benefits of the GO Waiver is that it gives participants more choice and control over their long-term care providers. Participants can choose to receive their services through one of two options:
Both models offer compensation for caregivers who provide long-term care at home. The state determines the compensation rate, and varies depending on the type of service and the level of care required by the participant. As of 2023, the compensation rate for personal care assistants ranges from $11.50 to $14 per hour.
If you are interested in applying for the GO Waiver or finding out if you are eligible for compensation as a caregiver, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
At Givers, we are passionate about supporting caregivers and advocating for their rights. Caregivers are part of the healthcare system, and they deserve to be paid for the work that they do. Caregivers need more than money; they need resources, education, community, and recognition.