Caregiving
Structured Family Caregiving in Ohio: Who Qualifies, What It Pays
The short answer
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) pays a daily, tax-free stipend to a primary family caregiver who lives full-time with an adult who needs significant care. In Ohio it is available through PASSPORT, MyCare Ohio, and the DODD waiver. The caregiver must live with the participant, be at least 18, and be approved by an SFC-contracted agency. Pay is tiered by care need, typically totaling $1,500 to $3,000 a month.
What to remember
- Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) pays a primary family caregiver who lives with the individual.
- Available under DODD waiver in approved configurations. Not CDPAP (that is New York).
- Daily stipend rather than hourly. Tax-favored treatment in some configurations.
What SFC is
Structured Family Caregiving is a service inside several Ohio DODD waivers. Instead of paying an hourly caregiver to come and go, SFC pays a daily stipend to a live-in family caregiver who is providing care around the clock.
Most families search for this under the name CDPAP because that is the New York version they read about online. Ohio does not have CDPAP, but SFC fills a similar gap.
Who qualifies
The participant has to be on PASSPORT, MyCare Ohio, or the DODD waiver, and their assessed level of care has to justify the daily intensity that SFC reimburses. Practically, this usually means dementia, post-stroke, advanced Parkinson's, significant fall risk, or another condition where the person cannot be safely alone for long.
The caregiver must be 18 or older, live full-time in the participant's home (or have the participant living in theirs), pass a background check, and complete the training the SFC agency requires.
A spouse can be the SFC caregiver in some Ohio SFC arrangements, which is one of the few paid-spouse paths in the state. Verify with your specific SFC agency before assuming it applies to you.
What the pay looks like
SFC pays a daily stipend, not an hourly rate. The stipend is tiered based on the participant's care need. Most Ohio SFC programs run three tiers, with monthly totals roughly in the $1,500, $2,200, and $3,000 ranges.
The stipend is tax-free under IRS Notice 2014-7 in most cases when the caregiver lives with the care recipient. Talk to a tax preparer who knows Notice 2014-7 to be sure.
SFC and hourly personal-care billing are mutually exclusive for the same participant. You cannot be on SFC and also bill personal care hours. We help families do the math on which one pays more in their specific case.
How to apply
First, make sure the participant is enrolled in PASSPORT, MyCare Ohio, or OHC. SFC is a service inside those waivers, not a standalone program.
Second, ask the case manager or care manager to add SFC to the service plan. Not every case manager mentions SFC unless asked. Ask by name.
Third, choose an SFC-contracted agency. Reliance Care Solutions is one. We handle the caregiver enrollment, training, background check, and ongoing oversight.
Fourth, start documenting daily care notes once enrollment is complete. SFC requires regular caregiver journals as part of compliance.
What we tell Lucas County families
We tell families to compare SFC against hourly personal care side by side before they pick. For some people with high needs, SFC pays more for the same care. For others, hourly billing produces more. We will run the numbers with you, no charge, before you commit to either path.
Frequently asked
Is SFC the same as CDPAP?
Not exactly. CDPAP is a New York program. SFC is Ohio's closest equivalent. The general idea (pay the family caregiver) is similar.
Can I be on SFC and still work outside the home?
SFC is designed for full-time live-in caregivers. Some part-time work is possible but the agency has to be comfortable that the participant is safely cared for. Talk to the agency before assuming.
Do I need to be a certified aide?
No, but you have to complete the training the SFC agency provides and pass a background check.
Is the stipend really tax-free?
Usually, under IRS Notice 2014-7, when the caregiver lives with the care recipient. We are not tax advisors and we strongly recommend a CPA familiar with the notice.
Can two family members share the SFC stipend?
Generally no. SFC pays one primary caregiver. Backup caregivers can be approved separately under respite.
Will SFC affect my SSI or SSDI?
It is reportable income for most benefit programs. Talk to a benefits counselor before enrolling. We can refer you to one in Toledo.
Sources we cite
Cite this page
Reliance Care coordinator team. (2026). Structured Family Caregiving in Ohio: Who Qualifies, What It Pays. Reliance Care Solutions. https://www.reliancecaresolutions.com/resources/news/structured-family-caregiving-ohio-who-qualifies
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