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Last updated: September 13, 2026
Paying for home care in Maine often takes more than one program. Medicare can cover short-term skilled home health, but not ongoing personal care when that is the only need. For longer-term help with bathing, dressing, meals, supervision, or homemaking, the strongest public routes are usually MaineCare, state-funded home-care programs, and local aging services.
Bottom Line
Start with Maine’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-877-353-3771. Ask for a home-care options review and help identifying the right MaineCare or state-funded program. If the person may need long-term personal care, also expect a financial application and a functional assessment. Do not assume Medicare will pay for daily custodial care, and do not give away assets before asking how MaineCare’s long-term-care rules apply.
Urgent Help
If the older adult is in immediate danger, cannot be left safely alone, or has a medical emergency, call 911. For suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult, Maine Adult Protective Services takes reports 24 hours a day at 1-800-624-8404; see the state’s Adult Protective Services contacts.
For a non-emergency gap such as a missing caregiver, food, transportation, or another community need, 211 Maine aging resources can connect you with local services. GFS also has a separate Maine emergency assistance guide for broader crisis help.
Start Here
- Call the statewide ADRC: 1-877-353-3771. Maine has five Area Agencies on Aging, and the state describes them as entry points for public long-term supports. You can also use our Maine Area Agencies on Aging guide. The official Maine AAA directory routes callers by county.
- Describe the care need: Tell the counselor whether the person needs skilled nursing or therapy, hands-on personal care, homemaking, respite, or supervision. Maine’s home care program page explains the main public service types.
- Ask for both screenings: For most public long-term home-care routes, financial eligibility and functional need both matter. Ask whether you should submit the Long Term Care application and call the Maine Assessing Services Agency.
Quick Reference: Which Route Should You Try First?
| Situation | Best first route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term skilled nursing or therapy after illness or injury | Doctor and Medicare-certified home health agency | Medicare may cover intermittent skilled services if all coverage rules are met. |
| Ongoing bathing, dressing, transfers, or other daily help | ADRC, MaineCare long-term care, and functional assessment | MaineCare Section 19 or another MaineCare home-care section may fit if financial and functional rules are met. |
| Over MaineCare limits or not eligible for MaineCare home care | State-funded Section 63 or Homemaker services | These programs can help, but funding and waitlists matter. |
| Family member provides most care | Ask about self-direction and caregiver support | Some paid-family-caregiver routes exist, but relationship and program rules apply. |
| Veteran or surviving spouse | Maine Veteran Service Officer and VA care team | VA home-care services or pension additions may help if separate eligibility rules are met. |
Know the Care Type Before You Ask Who Pays
Home health usually means medical care ordered by a clinician, such as skilled nursing, wound care, physical therapy, or another covered clinical service. Home care often means help with daily life, such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, or supervision.
This difference matters because Medicare is mainly a health insurance program. Long-term help with daily activities is more often paid through MaineCare, state-funded long-term services, VA programs, long-term care insurance, family support, or private funds.
Before calling, write down exactly what help is needed and how often. A person who needs two showers a week has a different payment problem from someone who cannot transfer safely without another person several times a day.
What Each Payment Source Can Realistically Do
| Payment source | Best use | Main limit |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare | Intermittent skilled home health when coverage rules are met | Does not pay for 24-hour care or personal care when that is the only need. |
| MaineCare | Long-term home and community services for people meeting financial and functional rules | Eligibility is not based on income alone; level of care and financial rules both matter. |
| State-funded Maine programs | Home-based support for some people who do not fit MaineCare routes | Funding is limited, consumer payments can apply, and current waitlists are substantial. |
| VA | Home health aide, respite, other home/community services, or added pension income for eligible veterans or survivors | Clinical, pension, service-area, and availability rules apply. |
| Long-term care insurance | Services covered under an existing policy | Benefit triggers, elimination periods, daily limits, and provider rules come from the policy. |
| Private pay | Filling hours that public programs do not cover or bridging a delay | Costs can grow quickly; use a written care plan and review the schedule often. |
MaineCare and State Programs Are the Main Long-Term Home-Care Paths
Maine lists several public home-care routes, including MaineCare Sections 19, 96, and 12; state-funded Section 63; and Independent Support Services, also called Homemaker Services. The right route depends on care needs, finances, and program availability.
MaineCare Section 19
Section 19 is Maine’s Home and Community Benefits for Older and Disabled Adults waiver. It is a key route for people who need a nursing-facility level of care but can safely receive services at home or in the community.
The state’s 2026 MaineCare chart lists a $2,982 monthly income limit for waiver coverage. Long-term-care MaineCare also uses asset rules, medical level-of-care rules, and a 60-month financial lookback for transfers for less than fair market value.
The chart lists a general long-term-care asset limit of $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple, while noting that up to $8,000 in savings for one person or $12,000 for a couple may be excluded. It also lists a $162,660 community-spouse asset limit. Because these rules interact, ask the Office for Family Independence to review the household before self-disqualifying.
Current access check: Maine reported 0 people on the Section 19 waitlist as of June 30, 2026. That is encouraging, but it does not guarantee an immediate worker or agency opening in every community.
Other MaineCare home-care sections
Section 96 covers private duty nursing and personal care services, while Section 12 provides Consumer Directed Attendant Services for people who meet its rules. An assessment can help identify the correct section instead of forcing a family to guess. In the state’s June 2026 access data, Sections 12 and 96 also showed no formal waitlist, although Section 96 had a referral-management process during April through June because of limited care-coordination capacity.
State-funded Section 63 Home Based Supports and Services
Section 63 can help some people who need home-based long-term services but do not fit certain MaineCare pathways. The current Section 63 rule requires Maine residency, age 18 or older, financial need for in-home services, and liquid assets of no more than $50,000 for one person or $75,000 for a couple, with a limited grandfathered exception. The program also requires applicants to be ineligible for several listed MaineCare and other state-funded services.
Authorized Section 63 services can include homemaking, personal care, home health, respite, transportation, adult day services, home modification, emergency response, skills training, and home-delivered meals. A consumer payment can apply.
The practical limit is funding. As of June 30, 2026, Maine reported 914 people waiting for state-funded Section 63 services. Apply or ask for screening even if a waitlist exists, then build a temporary backup plan.
State-funded Homemaker Services
Independent Support Services, often called Homemaker Services or Section 69, can help with household tasks for eligible people. Maine’s home-care page directs people to Catholic Charities of Maine at 1-888-477-2263 for access information. The state reported 1,492 people on the Homemaker waitlist as of June 30, 2026, so this should not be your only plan if help is needed now.
Medicare Can Help With Skilled Home Health, Not Ongoing Custodial Care
Medicare can help after an illness or when a person needs intermittent skilled care at home. Under the current Medicare home health rules, the person generally must need part-time or intermittent skilled services, be homebound under Medicare’s definition, have a provider order the care after a face-to-face assessment, and use a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Covered services can include skilled nursing, therapy, medical social services, and part-time home health aide care when qualifying skilled care is also being received. Medicare says the patient pays $0 for covered home health services; Part B cost-sharing applies to covered durable medical equipment.
Medicare does not pay for 24-hour-a-day care at home, home meal delivery, homemaker services unrelated to the care plan, or custodial personal care when that is the only care needed. If ongoing bathing, dressing, toileting, supervision, or meal help is the main need, move quickly to MaineCare, state-funded services, VA, insurance, or private-pay planning.
Can a Family Caregiver Get Paid in Maine?
Sometimes. Maine has consumer-directed options, but being a relative does not automatically create a paid caregiver benefit. Eligibility, family relationship, worker rules, authorized hours, payroll, and the care plan all matter.
Section 19 rules can allow a spouse to be reimbursed as a Personal Support Specialist when an eligible member needs qualifying extraordinary care. That is not automatic payment for ordinary spousal help. Before changing a family member’s job or counting on wages, ask the service coordinator which relatives may be hired in the specific program. Our paid family caregiver programs guide explains the Maine routes in more detail.
If payment is not available, the state’s care partner supports can still reduce the burden through information, counseling, training, support groups, respite, adult day services, homemaker help, and personal care. Call 1-877-353-3771 for the local Area Agency on Aging.
Veterans and Surviving Spouses Have Extra Routes
Start with a free Maine Veteran Service Officer if military service may apply. The Maine veterans offices help with VA enrollment and benefit claims; the central office number is 207-287-7020. GFS also has a broader Maine veteran benefits guide.
For veterans enrolled in VA health care, VA homemaker aide care may provide help with daily activities when clinical and community-care criteria are met and the service is available locally. A copay may apply depending on service-connected disability status.
VA Aid and Attendance is different. It can add money to a VA pension for a qualified veteran or survivor who meets pension rules and certain care-need conditions. It is not a stand-alone home-care program, and Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits cannot be paid at the same time.
Use Existing Insurance and Private Pay Strategically
If the older adult already has long-term care insurance, call the insurer before hiring an agency. Ask what triggers benefits, whether there is an elimination period, what home-care services qualify, whether the caregiver must work for an approved agency, and what daily or monthly limit applies. Maine’s long-term care insurance guide explains policy issues and the state’s Partnership Program.
Private pay can fill gaps while an assessment, appeal, or public program is pending. Start with a written care schedule for bathing, transfers, meals, shopping, transportation, and caregiver breaks. Ask agencies about minimum visits, weekend rates, mileage, cancellation rules, and backup staffing.
Also look for expenses that can be reduced elsewhere. Maine’s Medicare Savings Programs do not pay a home-care worker, but they may reduce Medicare costs for people who qualify, leaving more household money for care.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Call the ADRC first. Use 1-877-353-3771 and explain the daily tasks the person cannot do safely without help.
- Submit the correct application. Maine’s applications and forms page says the Long Term Care application is for people seeking help with nursing facilities, residential care, or in-home nursing services. If you use the online system, our Maine benefits portals guide can help you understand the route.
- Call for the functional assessment. Maine’s Assessing Services Agency is Maximus. The official assessment program page lists 1-833-525-5784.
- Keep OFI involved. The Office for Family Independence decides MaineCare financial eligibility. Its MaineCare eligibility page lists 1-855-797-4357 for application questions.
- Make a bridge plan. If services cannot start quickly, ask about respite, homemaker help, meals, adult day services, family scheduling, and limited private-pay hours.
Document and Information Checklist
- Photo identification and proof of Maine residency.
- Social Security, pension, retirement, annuity, and other income records.
- Bank, investment, and other asset statements requested for long-term-care review.
- Information about asset transfers during the lookback period if MaineCare long-term care is being considered.
- Medicare, MaineCare, VA, and private insurance cards.
- Medication list, diagnoses, recent hospital or rehabilitation records, and provider contacts.
- A written list of help needed with bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, transfers, walking, meals, housekeeping, and supervision.
- The current caregiver schedule and any times when the person is alone or unsafe.
- Any denial, reduction, assessment, or eligibility notice already received.
Helpful tip: Keep copies of every application and notice. Write the date, phone number, staff name, and next step after each call. This makes follow-up and appeals much easier.
Reality Checks for Maine Families
- No formal waitlist does not mean instant service. An approved person may still need to locate an available agency or worker.
- State-funded programs are constrained. As of June 30, 2026, Section 63 had 914 people waiting and Homemaker Services had 1,492.
- MaineCare has two different tests. Financial eligibility alone does not establish home-care eligibility; functional or medical level-of-care rules also apply.
- Do not give away assets to qualify. Long-term-care MaineCare uses a 60-month transfer lookback, and transfers for less than fair market value can create a penalty period.
- Some federal MaineCare rules are changing. Maine says some immigration-related eligibility changes take effect in October 2026. If this could apply to the household, check the state’s current federal changes page before relying on older advice.
- Care needs can outgrow home care. If safe care at home would require near-constant staffing, compare the full cost and safety of other settings rather than forcing an unsafe plan. Our Maine assisted living options guide covers another care setting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting for Medicare to cover custodial care. If daily personal care is the main need, start long-term-care screening at the same time.
- Self-denying because of one income or asset number. Spousal protections, exclusions, deductions, and program-specific rules can change the result.
- Moving money before getting advice. Transfers can affect long-term-care MaineCare eligibility.
- Assuming every family caregiver can be paid. Ask which relationship rules apply to the exact program and service.
- Waiting for one program with no backup. If there is a waitlist or worker shortage, use respite, meals, adult day services, family coverage, and limited private pay to reduce risk.
- Ignoring notices. A denial or service reduction should be read immediately because appeal instructions and deadlines are in the notice.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If MaineCare is denied or home-care hours are reduced, ask for the written decision and appeal instructions. Do not rely on a verbal explanation alone. Legal Services for Maine Elders says Maine residents age 60 or older can call 1-800-750-5353 for free legal help with MaineCare denials or service reductions.
If the problem is delay rather than denial, call the ADRC again and ask, “What can cover the unsafe hours while we wait?” Depending on the situation, the answer may include respite, meals, homemaker help, adult day services, another public program, or a small private-pay schedule.
Backup Options When Full Home Care Is Not Available
Many families combine smaller supports. A plan might use family care, a paid aide for bathing and transfers, home-delivered meals, adult day services, and periodic respite.
Ask the ADRC to screen for transportation, meals, respite, home modification, assistive technology, adult day services, and caregiver support. For a wider benefits check, our Maine senior assistance guide can help you identify other costs that may be reduced so more income can go toward care.
Phone Scripts for the Most Important Calls
ADRC / Area Agency on Aging
“I am helping an older adult in Maine who needs help with bathing, dressing, meals, and staying safe at home. We need to know which MaineCare or state-funded home-care programs fit, what is open, and what we should apply for first. Can you walk us through the next steps?”
Maine Assessing Services Agency
“I am calling to ask about a long-term-care functional assessment for in-home services. What information do you need to start the referral, and what should we have ready for the assessment?”
Office for Family Independence
“We are applying for long-term-care MaineCare for services at home. Can you confirm which application is required, what financial documents are still missing, and whether there is anything we must do while the functional assessment is pending?”
Maine Veteran Service Officer
“The veteran or surviving spouse needs help at home with daily activities. Can you check whether VA health-care home services, pension with Aid and Attendance, or another VA benefit may apply, and help us with the correct claim or referral?”
Resumen en Español
En Maine, Medicare puede pagar cuidado de salud en el hogar cuando la persona cumple las reglas para servicios médicos intermitentes, pero no paga cuidado personal continuo cuando esa es la única necesidad. Para ayuda a largo plazo con baño, ropa, comidas o seguridad, llame primero al Aging and Disability Resource Center al 1-877-353-3771.
Pregunte por MaineCare, la evaluación funcional y los programas estatales de cuidado en casa. El programa estatal Section 63 y el programa Homemaker tenían listas de espera al 30 de junio de 2026, así que pida también un plan temporal. Si recibe una negación o reducción de MaineCare, pida la decisión por escrito y las instrucciones para apelar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for home care in Maine?
Medicare can cover qualifying part-time or intermittent skilled home health services, including limited home health aide care when skilled services are also being received. It does not pay for 24-hour home care or ongoing custodial personal care when that is the only need.
What is the main MaineCare program for long-term home care?
Section 19 is a major MaineCare home- and community-based route for older adults and adults with disabilities who meet financial rules and need a nursing-facility level of care but can be supported in the community. Other MaineCare sections may fit different care needs.
What is the 2026 MaineCare waiver income limit?
Maine’s 2026 eligibility chart lists a $2,982 monthly income limit for waiver coverage. Long-term-care eligibility also includes asset, transfer, residency, age or disability, and medical level-of-care rules, so the income figure by itself does not determine eligibility.
Is there a Maine home-care waitlist?
It depends on the program. Maine reported no Section 19 waitlist as of June 30, 2026, while state-funded Section 63 had 914 people waiting and state-funded Homemaker Services had 1,492. Provider availability can still cause delays even when a formal waitlist is zero.
Can a spouse or family member get paid to provide care?
Sometimes, but not automatically. Consumer-directed programs have specific worker and relationship rules. Section 19 can allow a spouse to be paid as a Personal Support Specialist for qualifying extraordinary care. Ask the service coordinator to confirm the rule for your exact program before relying on caregiver wages.
What should I do first if I cannot afford private home care?
Call Maine’s statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-877-353-3771. Ask for a home-care options review, MaineCare and state-funded program screening, and help with the long-term-care application and functional assessment process.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified September 13, 2026. Next review December 13, 2026.
Corrections: Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: September 13, 2026 · Next review: December 13, 2026
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