*Due to a lack of funding, the Kupuna Caregiver Program no longer exists. This page is maintained for historical purposes only.
Program Description
The Kupuna Caregivers Program (KCGP) is a pilot program launched in 2018 that is intended for employed Hawaiian residents who are also unpaid primary caregivers of a senior relative. This program helps to ease the financial burden of providing care for a loved one, while allowing the caregiver to continue their employment outside of the home. KCGP also helps to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of seniors, saving the state money, as the cost of institutionalization is much greater than is support in the home and community. Via this program, up to $210 / week may go toward the cost of long-term senior care and services, such as adult day care, in-home personal assistance, respite care, and more.
This program is also called the Kupuna Caregiver Law. It is administered by the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging (EOA) and is implemented through local Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ARDCs).
Eligibility Guidelines
For the Kupuna Caregivers Program, there currently are no income or asset limits. However, there are other eligibility requirements for both the primary caregiver and the care recipient.
Primary Caregivers
Caregivers must provide care for an elderly individual who is a U.S. citizens or qualified aliens who is at least 60 years of age. Furthermore, caregivers must work a minimum of 30 hours per week outside the home. While it is in discussion to lower the minimum weekly working hours to 20, at the time of this writing, this change has not been implemented. (The caregiver may not be self-employed). The caregiver does not have to live with the care recipient.
Care Recipients
Care Recipients must be Hawaii residents who are at least 60 years old. They must not live in a long-term care facility, such as an assisted living facility, an adult residential care home, a community care foster family home, or a skilled nursing facility. They must also require assistance with a minimum of two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as eating, bathing, and transferring from a bed to a chair, OR two Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), such as housecleaning, preparing meals, and doing laundry, OR one ADL and one IADL OR have a considerable cognitive impairment that requires significant supervision. In addition, they must not be eligible for any other programs that provide home and community based services.
Benefits and Services
Eligible applicants are able to receive up to $210 / week to help cover the cost of senior care and services. These funds may be used for adult day care / adult day health, transportation assistance (including to and from adult day care / adult day health), respite care, home delivered meals, chore / homemaker services, and personal care assistance, such bathing, grooming, dressing / undressing, mobility, etc.
Funds are not paid to the caregiver; rather, they are paid directly to the service providers.
How to Apply / Learn More
For more information, though slightly outdated, about the Kupuna Caregivers Program, click here. Contact your Local Aging and Disability Resource Center to apply or call the statewide ADRC at 808-643-2372.
The Kapuna Caregivers Program is not an entitlement program. This means meeting the eligibility requirements does not ensure services will be received. This means that there may be a waitlist for program participation.
