How to apply for Personal Care Attendant Program (PCAP) in Kentucky

Who it's for

The Personal Care Attendant Program subsidizes a personal attendant for Kentucky adults with a severe physical disability so they can live and participate in the community. Attendants help with personal care, housekeeping, shopping, travel, self-care procedures, meal preparation, and other day-to-day activities. The program is for adults who are severely physically disabled — specifically, with permanent or temporary recurring functional loss of two or more limbs — who need between 14 and 40 hours of attendant care per week and are able to direct their own attendants (hiring, scheduling, and handling payroll paperwork). It is a consumer-directed program: the participant is the employer of their attendant.

What you'll need

• Proof of Kentucky residency and age 18+
• Documentation of a severe physical disability with functional loss of two or more limbs
• Documentation of needing 14–40 hours of attendant care per week
• PCAP application, submitted to the regional coordinator (PCAP.HSL@ky.gov)

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm eligibility before applying. PCAP is specifically for Kentucky adults with a severe physical disability — permanent or recurring functional loss of two or more limbs — who need between 14 and 40 hours of attendant care per week and can direct their own attendant (hiring, scheduling, and handling payroll). Contact the program to verify these criteria apply to your situation.
2. Gather proof of Kentucky residency and proof that you are age 18 or older.
3. Gather documentation of a severe physical disability showing functional loss of two or more limbs.
4. Gather documentation showing you need between 14 and 40 hours of attendant care per week.
5. Complete the PCAP application form.
6. Submit your completed application and all supporting documents to the regional coordinator by emailing PCAP.HSL@ky.gov.

What to expect: After submitting your application and documents, the regional coordinator will review everything. Processing times vary, so ask the coordinator for an estimate when you submit. If approved, you become the employer of your personal care attendant — meaning you handle hiring, scheduling, and payroll paperwork. PCAP uses ongoing enrollment with periodic reassessments, so be prepared to provide updated documentation when the program requests it to confirm you still meet eligibility requirements.

Renewals

ongoing (periodic reassessment)