Explainer

WV Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services

Published on
February 29, 2024
Last updated
February 29, 2024
Written by
Katie headshot
Katie Wilkinson
Reviewed by
Header image
This non-Medicaid program provides financial assistance for personal care services to assist elderly and/or disabled West Virginia residents in achieving their activities of daily living.
Available in:
Presented by Givers
Givers hires, supports, and pays people who are caring for their loved ones.
See If You're Eligible

West Virginia families who require extra support can use the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services program (RYPAS). This program provides caregiving resources, so care recipients live independently at home instead of moving to care facilities. Are you feeling overwhelmed? You may qualify for the RYPAS. Find out if this program is the right option for you.

Overview of West Virginia's RYPAS Program

If you're a West Virginia family caregiver, you understand the demanding responsibility of caring for an aging loved one. Sometimes, providing all the care they require on your own becomes overwhelming. The Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Program (RYPAS) gives you the extra hand you need.

RYPAS offers financial assistance to pay caregivers, helping West Virginia residents with disabilities or age-related difficulties complete daily living activities. Goals include:

  • Enable independent at-home living  
  • Prevent unnecessary nursing home admission
  • Assist with self-care and household tasks
  • Empower self-directed care choices
  • Support family caregivers

RYPAS helps aging and disabled adults in West Virginia and provides funds for personal care services. These services include bathing, grooming, transportation, and light home maintenance. 

By providing these services and financial assistance, RYPAS aids seniors and disabled people at home rather than moving to a nursing home. Covered services involve personal care help with: 

  1. Mobility  
  2. Bathing and grooming   
  3. Dressing and medications  
  4. Meal prep and housework
  5. Transportation for errands
  6. Schedule/bill management
FIND SUPPORT NOW

Can you get paid to care for your loved one?

woman smiling

Eligiblity for RYPAS

RYPAS is designed to assist those who are residents of West Virginia and meet specific qualifications with age, disability, and financial need. While only some families may qualify, it's worth checking to see if your family meets the requirements.

What are the requirements exactly? For starters, you must be a resident of West Virginia and meet certain age and disability qualifications. Additionally, financial needs are taken into consideration. If you're unsure whether you meet the qualifications, please check against this list of requirements. It could make all the difference in getting the assistance you need:

Residency

Lives in West Virginia   

Disability requirements

  • Disability expected to last 12+ months
  • Requires help with daily activities (eating, bathing, mobility, etc.)
  • Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury qualify
  • Severe cardiovascular disease meets the requirements
  • Severe arthritis meets disability requirements

Financial criteria

  • Income under $38,000 (2023)
  • Applied to Medicaid and was denied
  • Has no caregiving assistance through Medicaid
  • Only individual income counted  
  • Medical expenses may be deducted from income
  • Sliding scale funding

With the help of RYPAS, people receive personalized care plans and remote monitoring options. Caregivers and care recipients have access to the support they need. Loved ones enjoy good health and safety. RYPAS provides a sense of security to family caregivers.

RYPAS Program benefits

With the help of a personal assistant, your loved one can receive assistance with daily living activities such as mobility around the home, transportation, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, and basic housekeeping. 

The RYPAS program offers bill-paying support and assistance with managing a daily schedule. These services ease the burden of caregiving and provide peace of mind for you and your loved one. Don't hesitate to look into the RYPAS program and see how it can benefit you and your family.

FIND SUPPORT NOW

Who are you caring for?

How do family caregivers get paid?   

RYPAS uses a participant direction model, meaning the program participant controls who provides their care. This can include friends, neighbors, family members, and spouses. Choice gives the program participants more control and increases satisfaction with the support they receive. 

RYPAS is modeled after the Medicaid concept of Cash and Counseling, known as participant direction, self-direction, and consumer direction. This model reduces administrative costs while increasing participant satisfaction. The Statewide Independent Living Council administers the Ron Yost Program, committed to helping seniors and disabled people in West Virginia live independently for as long as possible. 

RYPAS provides reimbursement checks for eligible recipients to pay caregivers $8.75 per hour. The care recipient chooses their caregiver. Family members like spouses can serve as paid caregivers after finishing training and background checks. The level of approved care hours depends on recipients' needs. If you're a caregiver for an aging loved one, consider looking into RYPAS to see if it could help you both.

How to apply for RYPAS   

By applying to this program, you'll access many resources and aid. If you want to learn more about RYPAS and how to apply, start by checking out the program's webpage. Contact the West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council at 855-855-9743 or 304-766-4624 to get more information and begin the application process. Applying involves these steps:

  1. Apply for Medicaid disability waivers  
  2. Get denied Medicaid coverage first   
  3. Contact the RYPAS program directly 
  4. Complete RYPAS application   
  5. Gather medical and financial documentation   
  6. Await RYPAS determination

Unfortunately, the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services has a waitlist. Act fast if you're interested in taking advantage of all RYPAS offers.

Independent living with the RYPAS Program

As family caregivers, it can be challenging to watch our loved ones struggle with age or disability-related limitations. Fortunately, West Virginia's RYPAS program offers a solution that empowers people to retain their independence longer. By providing personal home care assistance for tasks like bathing, dressing, and household chores, RYPAS helps people avoid unnecessary nursing home admissions. 

If you want to learn more about RYPAS eligibility and enrollment, take action today and discover how this program can improve the quality of life for your loved one. With RYPAS, your loved one can continue to live comfortably in their home, and you can find peace of mind knowing they have the support they need.

Other programs in your state

Find out how to get paid other states

Givers hires, supports, and pays people caring for their loved ones.
See if you qualify in 60 seconds.
Check Your Eligibility
Share this post
Apply to Get Paid