What's The Difference?

Structured Family Caregiver (SFC) is a special program for live-in family caregivers who are unable to work due to taking care of a Medicaid member. With SFC, one primary caregiver is selected and only that person can receive stipend payments for taking care of the member. Switching to another family caregiver requires approval from the Case Manager and the SFC provider agency.

Family Hire (FH) is when a Medicaid member is approved to receive traditional home care services through CCSP, SOURCE, ICWP, NOW, or COMP. Normally, the personal care services are provided by non-related personal care aides, but with Family Hire, an immediate or extended family member can also be hired to work in the home, as long as that family member has onboarded with the home care provider agency in the same way that any other employee would. 

SFC caregivers are not allowed to have a job or business, whereas FH caregivers can. SFC caregivers must live in the same home, but Family Hire caregivers do not have to live in the same home.

FH caregivers are just one of potentially multiple paid caregivers working in the home, whereas SFC can only have one paid primary caregiver at a time.

Onboarding

FH caregivers are like regular employees: They must complete an employment application, pass the PCA exam, have a TB test done annually, and maintain CPR/First Aid certification. SFC caregivers are not employees. Both FH & SFC caregivers must pass a background check.

Daily Requirements

FH caregivers are assigned a work schedule based on the member's care plan. FH caregivers must clock in and out and log tasks for each shift worked. SFC caregivers set their own schedule and log daily tasks.

Respite Options

FH caregivers may work all of their family member's care plan hours (up to 40 hours per week) or they may split the hours with other hired employees. With SFC, only one caregiver at a time is approved to receive stipends.

Program Comparison

Family Hire

Family hire caregivers are required to follow ALL of the same procedures as PCAs.
Learn More
must live in same house?

No

can be spouse?

No

Background Check Required?

Yes (More Info)

PCA Exam Required?

Yes

Can Be Guardian of Member?

No

Can be parent of care recipient under age 18?

No

Allowed to work other jobs?

Yes

worker classification

Employee

Must Work A PreDetermined Schedule?

Yes

Must Clock In and Out of Shifts?

Yes

Must Log Tasks?

Yes

Annual periodic training required?

Yes

Can other, non-related or related caregivers be scheduled to work shifts?

Yes

other requirements

Annual TB Test, First Aid / CPR certification

Learn More

Structured Family Caregiver

Must live in the same house and cannot have other means of employment.
Learn More
MUST LIVE IN SAME HOUSE?

Yes

can be spouse?

No

Background Check Required?

Yes (More Info)

PCA Exam Required?

No

Can Be Guardian of Member?

No

Can be parent of care recipient under age 18?

No

Allowed to work other jobs?

No

worker classification

Independent Contractor

Must Work A PreDetermined Schedule?

No

Must Clock In and Out of Shifts?

No

Must Log Tasks?

Yes

Annual periodic training required?

Yes

Can other, non-related or related caregivers be scheduled to work shifts?

N/A

other requirements

N/A

Learn More