Family Caregiver Program (CFI)
The New Hampshire Medicaid Waiver For Family Caregivers
New Hampshire has a a statewide Medicaid program, called Choices For Independence (CFI), that supports individuals who need or want to care for a family member, a friend, or a neighbor. Through this program, and in partnership with home care agencies like Guardian Home Care of NH, family caregivers can receive wages and benefits for the care they provide. They also receive recognition and support so they can deliver care without compromising their needs and well-being.
What Are NH's Eligibility Criteria To Be Paid As a Family Caregiver?
First, it’s important to understand that the eligibility criteria apply to the person who receives care (the care seeker or receiver) rather than the one who gives care.
If the care seeker qualifies for the CFI program, then part of their benefits will be to elect a caregiver of their choice. The caregiver can then receive wages and benefits for the care they provide to the care seeker.
To qualify for the CFI program, the applicant (the care seeker) must meet these criteria:
Care seeker must be a New Hampshire resident.
They must either be 65+ OR aged 18-64 and have a disability.
They must have physical or mental limitations that prevent them from performing daily living tasks.
Their income, assets, and home ownership must meet Medicaid limitations (the link takes you to the CFI page of the Medicaid Planning Assistance website).
What Documentation Is Needed To Apply For The CFI Program?
To start the application process for New Hampshire’s CFI Program, you’ll need to submit Form 800 (Application for Assistance) and a notarized Form 770 (Reimbursement Agreement and Acknowledgment).
These can be submitted online or in person at any DHHS office. You’ll also need to provide any required supporting documents (such as proof of income, assets, and identity). Having everything ready before you apply can prevent delays—if DHHS finds something missing, they’ll send a notice but pause the process until it’s provided.
While official guidance recommends scheduling a meeting with an “options counselor,” Guardian Home Care of NH can guide you through the paperwork and requirements directly, helping you move forward without unnecessary wait times.
To start the qualification process, the person receiving must complete these two forms:
An Application For Assistance (Form 800) must be completed and signed for the care recipient.
A Reimbursement Agreement & Acknowledgment Form (Form 770) must also be completed and notarized.
And those are some of the requirements in the qualification process for the family/friend caregiver:
Caregivers must get registered in the State of Michigan's CHAMPS system in order to receive payment for their services.
While individuals with criminal records can still be paid caregivers, certain crimes may disqualify them.
How To Apply For The CFI Program in New Hampshire?
To begin the New Hampshire CFI application, applicants typically submit Forms 770 and 800 to DHHS along with required documentation. The process is then followed by financial and care assessments. While it may sound straightforward, small errors or missing paperwork can cause significant delays — even after applicants first hear back from DHHS.
Many families find it helpful to get guidance before applying. This ensures they understand what’s needed, avoid common roadblocks, and move through the steps more smoothly from the start.
Call us today to check eligibility or discuss next steps.
Income or Assets Over The Medicaid Limits?
There may still be a way to eligibility! New Hampshire put in place a few planning strategies to help residents whose income or assets are over the Medicaid limits to qualify for the NH CFI Medicaid Waiver. Some are simple and others are very complex. Example of these strategies are: Spousal Asset Transfer, Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), Medically Needy Program, Irrevocable Funeral Trusts (IFT), etc. Here is where you can review these planning strategies that help NH residents qualify for the CFI Medicaid Waiver.
Why Choose Guardian Home Care of NH To Handle Your CFI Family Caregiver Benefits?
At Guardian Home Care of NH, we are committed to providing exceptional support for individuals applying for or qualified under the Choices For Independence (CFI) Medicaid Waiver program. To best serve our CFI clients and their family caregivers, we’ve proudly brought on seasoned experts with years of experience as Case Managers for the CFI Medicaid Waiver Program.
Our experts work closely with CFI clients and their family caregivers, guiding them through processes and challenges, uncovering benefits they may not have been aware of, and ensuring they receive the comprehensive care they deserve.
To best support our CFI clients and family caregivers, our care team’s expertise also includes handling the following and more. If you need guidance or want to know how we can help in your specific situation, use the buttons below to get in touch with us.
Competitive Pay, Benefits, & Paid Overtime
Expertise & Administrative Relief
Caregiver Backup
Our Professional Network To Your Service
We Can Come To You
What Do Paid Caregivers Under The NH Medicaid CFI Waiver Actually Do?
Medication management (medication reminders, etc.)
Companionship
Meal preparation
Grocery shopping
Transportation to appointments
Helping with brushing hair, teeth, and other hygienic activities
Helping to transfer from the bed to a wheelchair, or from a wheelchair to a toilet, etc.
Helping with walking and mobility
Light housekeeping or other homemaking tasks
Bathing and toileting (incontinence care, etc.)
Assistance with activities that are part of daily life
Steps To Start Getting Paid As a Family or Friend Caregiver
New To CFI?
Start Here!
Financial Review
Medical Determination
A health professional conducts an assessment and determines the care needs. We’ll support you through this step too.
Choose Your Agency Provider
A Case Manager is assigned to the care receiver, or can be chosen by them. The Case Manager meets with the care receiver to develop a “comprehensive care plan” that outlines the services needed and to officially select the provider agency. This is when the care receiver or you say you want Guardian Home Care of NH.
Service Authorization & Next Steps
Once DHHS approves your services, you’re ready to move forward with the much quicker steps outlined in the “Already Have CFI?” section below. We complete your onboarding and get you paid without delay.
Already Have CFI?
These Steps Are For You.
In-Home Assessment
Quick Paperwork
Onboarding
We onboard the person receiving care and their family or friend caregiver, if they have one.
Start of The Paid Care
The family or friend caregiver can clock in and out when they provide care, and receive their pay however they choose (check, direct deposit, etc).
Steps To Start Getting Paid As a Family or Friend Caregiver
If You're Not Yet Enrolled In CFI, Call Us To Check Eligibility!
In-Home Assessment
Quick Paperwork
Onboarding
We onboard the person receiving care and their family or friend caregiver, if they have one.
Start of The Paid Care
The family or friend caregiver can clock in and out when they provide care, and receive their pay however they choose (check, direct deposit, etc).
