District of Columbia

• Finding Respite Providers or Programs
• Respite Funding and Eligibility
• Additional Resources

Finding Respite Providers or Programs

How do I choose a respite provider or adult day care program?

For guidance in selecting a respite provider or program, read the ABCs of Respite before you get started. Use respite frequently and as early in your caregiving experience as possible.

Where can I find respite providers or programs for a child, adult or older person with a specific condition in my state?

To search for respite in your state, click here.

Where else can I find respite providers or answers to other questions about respite in my state (e.g., how to start up a respite program; licensing or regulatory issues; provider training opportunities)?

For more information on State Lifespan Respite Programs click here.

For more information on State Respite Coalitions, click here.

Respite Funding and Eligibility

How can I pay for respite services?

1) Family Caregiver Support Program: 

Respite is one of the supports offered through the State's Family Caregiver Support Program. Individuals eligible for respite care under this program are:

• Family caregivers providing care for individuals age 60 or older;

• Family caregivers providing care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, regardless of age; or

• Grandparents and other relative caregivers (not parents) 55 years of age and older providing care to children under age 18; or

• Grandparents, parents, and other relative caregivers 55 years of age and older providing care to adults ages 18-59, with disabilities, to whom they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

• Tribal Organizations can set a lower age than 60 for members to be considered as elders eligible for services.

To find the Family Caregiver Support Program closest to you, visit the Eldercare Locator.

2) Medicaid Waivers that pay for Respite:

Medicaid waivers provide the largest federal source of funding assistance for respite. Each State develops their own waiver eligibility criteria and conditions for specific populations. Waivers are subject to federal approval. To see if your state has a Medicaid waiver that you or your family member may qualify for, click here.

Keep in mind that many states maintain waiting lists for Medicaid Waiver services. It is not an automatic entitlement, as is the regular Medicaid State Plan program, although some states may be converting their Medicaid waivers to state plan benefits.

3) Other Possible Public Funding Sources and Eligibility Information:

DC Public Funding Chart 

If you do not qualify for funding under the Family Caregiver Support Program or any of the Medicaid Waivers described above, check this table for other possible state funding sources.

Many states fund respite programs with state or federal funds, either alone or in partnership with private organizations. Such programs are generally designed to serve one or more specific populations, such as the aging; infants and toddlers; adults or children with physical or developmental disabilities; children with special health care needs; children or adults with mental heath conditions; kinship care providers; children in state custody or foster parents. Funding for these programs is generally limited and may depend on annual appropriations. Programs may be de-funded or eliminated altogether in times of fiscal crisis. The information obtained here was gathered from the internet, from phone interviews or email communication. Information has been verified to the extent possible, but because of frequent legislative and programmatic changes, you should check the state website or call the state agency to confirm that the information is up to date. If you find the information to be incorrect or incomplete, please alert This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

4) If the person you are caring for is a Veteran

Call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274 or click here to visit  the VA Caregiver Support website.

Additional Resources

Other than respite, what other supports and services are available?

Family Care Navigator, hosted by the Family Caregiver Alliance, is a comprehensive state-by-state searchable data base that provides a list of government and private services and supports for family caregivers and care recipients. Click here.  

State Self-Direction Programs: If a person with a disability or chronic condition is eligible for Medicaid, they may qualify for financial assistance that can be used to purchase necessary home and community-based services and supports, including payment to the family caregiver or to pay for respite. Such programs are sometimes known as cash & counseling, consumer or self-directed programs, or other names selected by the state. To find state Self-Direction Programs on the Applied Self-Direction (asd) website, click here. 

Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F) and Family Voices: For assistance in finding services and supports for children with special health care needs from other parents and professionals, find your state's F2F center or Family Voices state chapter. Click here. 

Easterseals: Many local affiliates of Easterseals provide respite, adult day services, and other supports for individuals of all ages and disabilities. To connect to an Easter Seals affiliate in your area, click here.

Eldercare Locator: A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. You can be reach them at 1-800-677-1116 or click here.

Benefits.gov: The official benefits website of the U.S. government that informs citizens of benefits they may be eligible for and provides information on how to apply for assistance.  Click here.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers: If you are looking for information or assistance with long term services and supports for yourself or for a friend or family member, you can locate the Aging and Disability Resource Center (known as No Wrong Door in some states) nearest you by visiting the Eldercare Locator.