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.
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?
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
Choose Your Agency Provider
Service Authorization & Next Steps
Already Have CFI?
These Steps Are For You.
Financial Review
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).
