Federal Government Extends Idaho Parental Disability Caregiver Program
Boise, ID – April 29, 2025
The federal government has approved an extension of Idaho’s Family and Personal Care Services program, allowing parents and spouses to continue receiving compensation for providing care to their disabled children and spouses. This decision comes after concerns over program costs and potential abuse led the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to consider ending the program earlier this year.
Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program permitted "legally responsible individuals"—such as parents and spouses—to be reimbursed for caregiving services, addressing a shortage of direct care workers and minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. However, in November 2024, the department announced plans to let the program expire due to escalating costs and suspected fraud. Director Alex Adams highlighted that the program’s expenses had doubled since 2022, reaching approximately $8 million in 2024, and that some participants were exploiting the system to maximize household income. (dnews.com)
The potential termination of the program raised significant concerns among families and disability advocates. Many parents, like Jessica Jackman, expressed worries about the adequacy of Idaho’s direct care workforce to meet the needs of their children. Jackman, who has been her son’s primary caregiver, stated, "You’re opening up a lot of children and spouses to a higher incidence of hospitalization because people don’t understand the unique care that needs to happen for each person." (idahocapitalsun.com)
In response to these concerns, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare collaborated with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to address the issues of fraud and abuse within the program. The extension includes implementing additional safeguards, such as quarterly oversight forms for provider agencies and internal reviews of assessments by family members serving as paid caregivers. These measures aim to ensure that the program continues to serve those truly in need while maintaining fiscal responsibility. (gracedowwrites.com)
The extension of the program provides relief to many Idaho families who rely on it for essential caregiving support. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has committed to working closely with families and provider agencies to ensure the program’s integrity and effectiveness in the coming years.
For more information on the Family and Personal Care Services program and the new safeguards in place, visit the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s official website.
This article is based on information from the Idaho Capital Sun and other local news sources.
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