Arizona · self-direction option
Agency with Choice (AWC) in Arizona
Agency with Choice is an ALTCS member-directed option where a provider agency is the legal employer and the member shares day-to-day employer duties. The member can recruit, choose, schedule, supervise and dismiss their worker, including family members. Parents of minor children cannot be paid through AWC.
Also called: AWC · Agency with Choice Arizona · co-employment ALTCS · DDD Agency with Choice
Who do you care for?
Quick facts
- Pay
- $13–$16/hr
- Adult children & other relatives
- Yes
- Spouse
- Yes
- Parent of a minor child
- Not right now
- Waitlist
- none
Who qualifies for AWC
- Enrolled in ALTCS (Elderly and Physically Disabled, or Developmental Disabilities through DES/DDD).
- Lives in their own home.
- Has authorized attendant care, personal care, homemaker or similar services in their plan.
- The member or an individual representative is willing to share employer tasks.
Who can be paid as the caregiver
- Adult children & other relatives Yes
- members can recruit and hire family members, including adult children.
- Spouse Yes
- spouses can be paid when employed by a direct care worker agency under the Spouse as Paid Caregiver model (limit 40 hours a week).
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- AHCCCS policy 1310-A says parents of minor children are prohibited from serving as a paid worker under AWC; parents use the separate Parents as Paid Caregivers model.
- Living together
- not required.
Who employs the caregiver: Co-employment: the provider agency is the legal employer of record and handles hiring paperwork, required training and payroll; the member acts as day-to-day managing employer.
Spouse rules differ by program — see spouse pay in Arizona.
How much AWC pays
$13–$16/hr. The agency sets the worker's wage. Commonly reported pay is $13–$16/hour, at or near Arizona's minimum wage ($15.15/hour since January 1, 2026).
Hours and budget: The ALTCS case manager sets authorized hours through the needs assessment; the member decides schedules and tasks within that plan.
Compare with other Arizona programs on the Arizona caregiver pay page, or across states in pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist?
ALTCS is an entitlement with no waitlist.
How to apply for AWC
- Apply for ALTCS at 1-888-621-6880 or through Health-e-Arizona Plus; for developmental disabilities, also work with DES/DDD.
- After enrollment, tell your case manager you want Agency with Choice.
- Pick a participating agency and refer your chosen worker to be hired.
- The worker completes the agency's direct care worker training.
- AHCCCS – ALTCS applications · 1-888-621-6880 · official site
- DES Division of Developmental Disabilities – Agency with Choice policy · official site
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
AWC questions
What is the difference between Agency with Choice and SDAC?
In SDAC the member is the legal employer with a fiscal agent. In Agency with Choice the agency is the legal employer and the member shares day-to-day duties like hiring and scheduling.
Can my spouse be paid through an agency in Arizona?
Yes. Spouses can be paid when hired by a direct care worker agency under the Spouse as Paid Caregiver model, up to 40 hours a week.
Can a parent of a minor be paid under AWC?
No. Parents of minors are paid only through the Parents as Paid Caregivers model, through one agency.
Who trains the caregiver?
The agency provides the required minimum training. The member can add training on how they want care done.
Is AWC available for people with developmental disabilities?
Yes. DES/DDD offers Agency with Choice for its ALTCS members.
Sources: azahcccs.gov · azahcccs.gov · des.az.gov · Updated 2026-10-08. Program rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Arizona caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Arizona — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border Arizona
Each state writes its own rules, and they differ more than people expect — a spouse who can be paid on one side of the line often cannot be on the other.