Indiana’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) Program: Everything Families and Caregivers Need to Know

Across Indiana, more families are seeking ways to keep their aging or disabled loved ones safely at home, not in a nursing facility or institutional setting. With rising care costs and increasing demand for home-based support, Indiana’s Medicaid-funded Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) Program has become one of the most supportive and family-centered options available.

SFC allows eligible individuals to receive daily support from a trusted family member, friend, or spouse while the caregiver receives tax-free financial compensation for the essential care they provide. The program strengthens families, promotes safety, and helps individuals remain in a familiar, stable home environment.

This guide walks through how the program works, who qualifies, and why SFC has become a lifeline for caregivers and families across Indiana.

What Is Indiana’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) Program?

Indiana’s SFC Program is a Medicaid-funded home-based service designed for adults who need help with daily living and ongoing supervision. Rather than sending a loved one to a facility or relying on rotating aides, SFC allows care to be provided by someone the individual already knows and trusts.

Under the SFC model:

• The caregiver lives full-time with the client (the client moves in with the caregiver, or the caregiver moves in with the client).
  
• The caregiver provides daily, non-medical support and 24-hour supervision.
  
• A Medicaid-approved agency provides training, monitoring, and oversight.
  
• The caregiver receives tax-free compensation for the care they provide.
  

This arrangement prioritizes stability, safety, and emotional connection—especially for individuals who prefer to remain at home and maintain independence for as long as possible.

Who Oversees the SFC Program in Indiana?

Indiana’s SFC Program is funded through Indiana Medicaid and operates under several Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waivers:

• Pathways Waiver – for individuals 65 and older
  
• Health & Wellness Waiver – for adults 18–64 with disabilities
  
• TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) Waiver – for adults 18–64 with a qualifying TBI
  

Approved agencies like Family Support Services help families navigate eligibility, train caregivers, develop person-centered care plans, and conduct monthly oversight to ensure safe, high-quality in-home support.

How Indiana’s SFC Program Works (Explained Simply)

SFC is a partnership between the client, the caregiver, a Medicaid-approved agency, and the state Medicaid system.

1. The client and caregiver must live in the same home

The living arrangement can be flexible:

• The caregiver can move in with the client, or
  
• The client can move in with the caregiver.
  

2. Caregivers provide non-medical daily assistance

Support may include:

• Bathing, dressing, hygiene
  
• Eating and meal preparation
  
• Mobility and transfers
  
• Toileting assistance
  
• Medication reminders
  
• Household tasks
  
• 24/7 supervision and safety monitoring
  
• Companionship and emotional support
  

3. Agencies provide training and monthly oversight

This ensures:

• A safe home environment
  
• A personalized care plan
  
• Ongoing support for caregivers
  
• Compliance with Indiana Medicaid requirements
  

4. Caregivers receive tax-free compensation

Payments help reduce the financial burden of full-time caregiving, allowing families to focus on delivering compassionate care without sacrificing financial security.

Top Benefits of the SFC Program for Clients

Indiana’s SFC Program is built around helping adults remain in a safe, home-based environment with personalized support.

1. Stay at Home Instead of a Facility

Clients remain in a familiar, comfortable environment while avoiding nursing homes and institutional placement.

2. Care From Someone They Know and Trust

Caregivers can be:

• A family member
  
• A friend
  
• A spouse
  

(Legal guardians cannot be paid caregivers.)

This creates emotional comfort, enhances safety, and reduces anxiety.

3. Personalized One-on-One Support

Unlike shift-based home care, SFC ensures consistent, relationship-focused care.

4. Continuous 24/7 Supervision

This helps prevent falls, injuries, missed medications, or emergencies.

5. Medicaid-Funded Support Reduces Cost Barriers

Clients receive high-quality care without the burden of private caregiving fees or facility costs.

Top Benefits of the SFC Program for Caregivers

While caregiving is meaningful, it can also be demanding. Indiana’s SFC Program provides essential support:

1. Tax-Free Financial Compensation

Caregivers receive monthly payments through the agency for the vital care they provide.

2. The Ability to Care for a Loved One Full-Time

Families no longer need to choose between work and caregiving responsibilities.

3. Training, Guidance, and Monthly Support

Agencies ensure caregivers have the resources they need to provide safe care.

4. Reduced Stress and Burnout

Because the program includes structure and oversight, caregivers feel supported—emotionally and financially.

5. Stronger Family Bonds

Living together and providing care often deepens connection and stability.

6. No Medical License Required

Caregivers simply need compassion, reliability, and the ability to support daily needs.

Eligibility Requirements for Indiana’s SFC Program

Client Eligibility

To qualify, the client must:

• Be an Indiana resident
  
• Qualify for one of the following waivers:
  
  • Pathways Waiver (65+)
    
  • Health & Wellness Waiver (18–64 with disability)
    
  • TBI Waiver (18–64 with traumatic brain injury)
    
• Need assistance with two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as:
  
  • Bathing
    
  • Eating
    
  • Dressing
    
  • Toileting
    
  • Mobility
    
  • Personal hygiene
    
• Agree to live full-time with the caregiver
  

Caregiver Eligibility

Caregivers must:

• Be 18 years or older
  
• Live full-time with the client
  
• Be a family member, friend, or spouse
  (Legal guardians are not eligible to be paid caregivers.)
  
• Provide daily, non-medical care and 24/7 supervision
  
• Pass background and safety checks
  

Why Indiana’s SFC Program Matters for Families

SFC is more than a Medicaid service, it’s a lifeline for households who want to stay together and ensure loved ones receive compassionate care.

This program supports families by:

• Helping loved ones remain at home
  
• Encouraging consistent, personalized daily care
  
• Providing financial relief to caregivers
  
• Promoting independence and dignity for adults needing support
  
• Strengthening emotional bonds and family stability
  

For many families, SFC is the most practical, cost-effective, and emotionally supportive long-term care option available in Indiana.

How to Apply for Indiana’s SFC Program

If you believe you or a loved one may qualify, the next step is to contact a Medicaid-approved SFC provider. The agency will:

1. Conduct an eligibility screening
   
2. Complete assessments for the client
   
3. Verify the caregiver’s qualifications
   
4. Create a Medicaid-approved care plan
   
5. Begin tax-free caregiver compensation once all requirements are met
   

Family Support Services is available to guide families through every step of the process.

Final Thoughts

Indiana’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) Program provides a compassionate, practical, and financially supportive alternative to institutional care. It allows individuals who need daily assistance to remain in a safe home environment while receiving care from someone they trust and caregivers receive meaningful tax-free compensation and professional support.

For families navigating long-term care decisions, SFC offers:

• Emotional comfort
  
• Financial stability
  
• Professional oversight
  
• A dignified alternative to nursing facilities
  

If you or someone you love may qualify, an approved agency can help you start the process and begin receiving support as quickly as possible.

Family care deserves support. Indiana’s SFC Program delivers it.