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Respite care for family caregivers in North Carolina

Yes. In North Carolina, family caregivers can get respite through three programs on record: CAP/DA Respite Care, NC Lifespan Respite Program and Family Caregiver Support Program.

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Respite program

CAP/DA Respite Care

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Who qualifies

CAP/DA participants. Respite gives the caregiver temporary relief, in an institution or at home, for needs such as family emergencies, planned events like vacations or hospital stays, relief from daily caregiving stress, or time for essential personal tasks.

Institutional and in-home respite together cannot exceed 30 calendar days or 720 hours in one fiscal year (July to June).

Source: Clinical Coverage Policy No. 3K-2, Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) (NC Medicaid, amended September 1, 2025)Checked

Respite program

NC Lifespan Respite Program

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Who qualifies

Caregivers 18 or older who live in North Carolina and give unpaid care to someone of any age. Neither the caregiver nor the care recipient can be getting ongoing, publicly funded in-home services or other respite care, including adult day care; people on waiting lists for those services are eligible.

Approved caregivers are reimbursed for up to $750 in respite care in a calendar year. Funding is limited and applications are accepted only when funds are available. Priority goes to caregivers with the greatest economic need, who give direct care, and who have not had a publicly funded respite break in the last 3 months.

Source: NC Lifespan Respite Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

Respite program

Family Caregiver Support Program

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Who qualifies

Adult family members or other unpaid caregivers 18 or older caring for someone 60 or older, or for someone of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. Relatives 55 or older (not parents) caring for children under 18, and relatives 55 or older, including parents, caring for adults 18 to 59 with disabilities, also qualify.

Short-term respite care is one of five services, available in varying degrees across the state. This program does not pay caregivers to provide continuous care.

Source: Family Caregiver Support Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

How to apply

CAP/DA Respite Care

How to apply

In-home respite is authorized by the CAP/DA case manager. The use of respite must be told to the case manager within 12 hours of the need, unless it is an emergency.

To request CAP/DA, contact a local CAP/DA case management entity in the county where the applicant lives (NC Medicaid CAP/DA page).

Source: Clinical Coverage Policy No. 3K-2, Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) (NC Medicaid, amended September 1, 2025)Checked

NC Lifespan Respite Program

How to apply

A local professional organization must refer you and completes the online application for you. You then sign the Caregiver Certification, electronically or on paper. Funds must be used within 90 days.

Source: NC Lifespan Respite Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

Family Caregiver Support Program

How to apply

Find a program in your area in the Family Caregiver Support Program Provider Directory linked on the program page.

Source: Family Caregiver Support Program (NCDHHS Division of Aging)Checked

Sources

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