Kupuna Caregivers Program Hawaii: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply

You are working full-time, driving your mother to appointments twice a week, managing her medications, and spending evenings making sure she does not fall in the shower. Your employer is losing patience with the missed mornings, and you cannot afford to quit. Nobody at the hospital mentioned that Hawaii has a program specifically designed to keep working caregivers employed — and it pays up to $210 per week for respite services.

The Kupuna Caregivers Program (KCGP) is a state-funded program that provides paid respite and support services to families where the primary caregiver works at least 30 hours per week. Unlike Med-QUEST, there is no asset test. Unlike Kupuna Care, the program is designed around the caregiver's employment, not just the senior's needs.

Who Qualifies

There are separate requirements for the caregiver and the care recipient.

Caregiver requirements:

• Employed outside the home for at least 30 hours per week (one or more employers)
• Provides direct, unpaid care to a senior relative
• Self-employed individuals and those working fewer than 30 hours are currently excluded

Care recipient requirements:

• Hawaii resident, age 60 or older
• Living in a non-institutional setting (not in a nursing home, ARCH, or CCFFH)
• Requires assistance with at least two Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), two Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), or has a severe cognitive impairment

There is no income or asset limit for the care recipient. The program is not means-tested — it targets working caregivers regardless of the family's financial situation.

What the Program Provides

KCGP provides up to $210 per week paid directly to contracted service providers (not to the caregiver). The funds cover:

• Adult day care
• Personal care services (bathing, grooming assistance)
• Respite care (temporary substitute caregiving so the primary caregiver can work)
• Chore services
• Transportation to medical appointments

The money flows from the state to the service provider. You choose the services, and the program pays the provider directly. This is not reimbursement — you do not pay out of pocket and wait to be repaid.

How to Apply

Applications go through your county's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC):

• Oahu: Elderly Affairs Division, (808) 768-7700
• Maui County: (808) 270-7774
• Hawaii County: (808) 961-8600
• Kauai County: (808) 241-4470

The process requires:

1. Formal employment verification for the caregiver (pay stubs, employer letter, or similar documentation showing 30+ hours per week)
2. A clinical assessment of the care recipient's functional limitations
3. A service plan matching available providers to the care recipient's needs

How KCGP Relates to Other Programs

KCGP is separate from Kupuna Care, which is a broader program providing direct services to seniors regardless of whether they have a working caregiver. Your parent can receive Kupuna Care and KCGP benefits simultaneously if they qualify for both, though services should not overlap.

KCGP is also separate from Med-QUEST. If your parent qualifies for Med-QUEST long-term care, those services would replace KCGP rather than stack on top of it. The program is specifically designed for families who fall in the gap — too much income or too many assets for Medicaid, but not enough to afford private-pay home care at $25-$35 per hour.

The Waiting List Reality

KCGP is funded through state legislative appropriations, and demand consistently exceeds supply. Most counties maintain waiting lists, with priority given to caregivers at the highest risk of leaving employment. If your parent was recently discharged from a hospital and you are actively employed, mention this during intake — post-discharge cases with employment at stake often receive expedited screening.

For the full picture of Hawaii's elder care support programs — including Kupuna Care, KCGP, Med-QUEST, and how they interact after a hospital discharge — the Hospital-to-Home Hawaii guide maps out which programs apply to your family's specific situation.

See more Hawaii guides →