If you or a family member is enrolled in Connecticut Medicaid, known as HUSKY Health, and needs a ramp, grab bars, or other accessibility work, the main route runs through the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE). HUSKY Health is administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS). CHCPE blends a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act with a state-funded track, and it lists home modifications as a covered service.
What Connecticut offers#
CHCPE is run by the DSS Community Options Unit for residents age 65 and older who are at risk of nursing home placement but want to stay in their own home. The program's service list includes Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and a separate category called Assistive Technology and Minor Home Modifications, verified against the DSS CHCPE brochure and the department's 2025 program flyer.
CHCPE also includes CAPABLE and COPE service packages, which combine care coordination with home-based supports; these are specific to CHCPE rather than standalone programs. Connecticut also runs Community First Choice (CFC), a Section 1915(k) state plan option offering self-directed personal care to Medicaid members who meet an institutional level of care. DSS lists CFC's covered services as personal care assistance and related supports; the CFC page does not list environmental accessibility adaptations, so CFC is a related option, not a home-modification funding source.
Amounts and eligibility#
DSS does not publish a standard per-modification or annual dollar cap for CHCPE home modifications. The CHCPE brochure explains that there are limits on how much the state can pay for home care services depending on an individual's needs, and that a care manager works out the specific plan of care and its cost limits. Anyone citing a fixed statewide dollar figure for Connecticut is not using an official DSS source.
Connecticut runs two eligibility tracks under CHCPE. One track is Medicaid waiver-funded for those who meet Medicaid financial rules. The other is a state-funded track for people who are not Medicaid-eligible; this track carries a copay of 9% of the cost of state-funded services, and it may involve a spousal contribution and estate recovery. DSS does not publish current income or asset dollar limits on its public CHCPE pages; applicants are directed to the Community Options Unit for a financial screening. Only DSS can determine financial eligibility for a specific applicant.
How to apply in Connecticut#
Apply for CHCPE through the DSS Community Options Unit by calling 800-445-5394 and selecting option 4. Applicants can also download the CT Home Care Program application from the CHCPE Apply page and mail it to DSS at 55 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105. A separate DSS line, 860-424-4904, handles general program questions.
Once referred, a DSS care manager, using the department's access-agency care management model, assesses the applicant's needs, builds an individualized plan of care, and arranges and authorizes services. CHCPE is not delivered through managed care organizations; the care manager and client together choose from an array of participating home care providers. According to the DSS 2025 program flyer, CHCPE does not currently have a waiting list, which is notable because many state HCBS waivers do maintain one.
For general help navigating aging and disability services in Connecticut, start with MyPlaceCT.org, described by DSS as "the virtual home of no wrong door," which includes a built-in 2-1-1 chat feature. The Department of Aging and Disability Services also publishes accessibility-at-home resources. The federal Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116) is a fallback if a local contact cannot be reached.
How it stacks with federal programs#
If the person needing modifications is a veteran, check VA housing grants alongside HUSKY Health. Programs like Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) can fund larger accessibility projects and may be used together with Medicaid waiver services in some cases. See our VA home modification grants guide.
Original Medicare does not cover structural home modifications. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer supplemental benefits such as grab bars or ramps, but this is plan-specific with no standard amount. Call the plan directly to ask what it covers.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled CHCPE paperwork and care-manager authorizations. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' Medicaid Waiver Billing experience, so you can filter for pros who have done this before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers with Medicaid Waiver Billing experience →
For the bigger picture on combining programs, see our national Medicaid HCBS waiver guide and our full guide to paying for home modifications.
FAQ#
Does the CT Home Care Program for Elders pay for ramps, grab bars, or bathroom modifications?#
Often, yes. CHCPE's service list includes Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and Assistive Technology and Minor Home Modifications. DSS does not publish a fixed dollar cap; the amount depends on the individual plan of care built by the assigned care manager, checked against the DSS CHCPE brochure and 2025 flyer, verified July 2026.
Is there a waiting list for CHCPE in Connecticut?#
No. The DSS 2025 CHCPE program flyer states that the program does not currently have a waiting list, verified July 2026. This can change, so confirm current status with the Community Options Unit before assuming immediate enrollment.
Can I get CHCPE home modifications if I'm not eligible for Medicaid (HUSKY C)?#
Possibly, through the state-funded track. CHCPE combines a Medicaid waiver track with a state-funded track for people who do not meet Medicaid financial rules. The state-funded track carries a 9% copay and may involve a spousal contribution and estate recovery. DSS does not publish specific income or asset figures on its public pages, so contact the Community Options Unit for a financial screening.
How do I apply for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders?#
Call the DSS Community Options Unit at 800-445-5394, option 4, or download and mail the CT Home Care Program application listed on the CHCPE Apply page. A DSS care manager will assess needs and build a plan of care.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers by state and filter for Medicaid Waiver Billing experience. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide and accessible bathroom remodel cost guide can help you budget while a care manager works out the details of a plan.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.