Illinois · children's waiver
Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver in Illinois
The MFTD Waiver is an Illinois Medicaid waiver for children who are medically fragile or depend on technology, such as ventilators or feeding tubes, so they can be cared for at home. Parents' income is not counted. Parents who hold an active RN or LPN license can be paid through a nursing agency for skilled nursing they give their child.
Also called: MFTD · MFTD waiver · DSCC Home Care Program · Illinois medically fragile waiver
Who do you care for?
Quick facts
- Pay
- Nursing agency wage (not published)
- Adult children & other relatives
- Sometimes
- Spouse
- Sometimes
- Parent of a minor child
- Sometimes
- Waitlist
- none
Who qualifies for Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver
- Under 21 at enrollment (people enrolled before 21 can stay on the waiver).
- Needs a hospital or nursing-facility level of care and meets the minimum score on the Level of Care tool.
- Illinois resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Medicaid eligible, with parents' income and assets waived.
- Lives with family or a legally responsible adult in a private home, and home care costs less than institutional care.
Who can be paid as the caregiver
- Adult children & other relatives Sometimes
- other relatives may work as nurses or aides through an enrolled agency if licensed or certified.
- Spouse Sometimes
- for participants 21 and older, a legally responsible spouse who is a CNA can be paid for CNA services since May 20, 2026, or as an RN/LPN.
- Parent of a minor child Sometimes
- parents with an active RN or LPN license can be paid for skilled nursing; CNA-certified parents of participants under 21 cannot yet be paid (pending CMS approval).
- Living together
- the participant must live with family or a legally responsible adult.
Who employs the caregiver: Agency. Parent-nurses and LRI CNAs are employed by an enrolled home nursing agency.
Spouse rules differ by program — see spouse pay in Illinois.
How much Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver pays
Nursing agency wage (not published). HFS pays the home nursing agency its shift-nursing rate; the agency pays the parent-nurse. No parent wage is published.
Hours and budget: In-home shift nursing hours are approved based on the child's medical needs and level-of-care assessment, coordinated by UIC DSCC.
Compare with other Illinois programs on the Illinois caregiver pay page, or across states in pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist?
No waiting list is published for the MFTD waiver.
How to apply for Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver
- Call UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) at 800-322-3722.
- The DSCC enrollment team gathers information to complete the HFS application packet.
- After approval, choose a home nursing agency; a parent with an RN or LPN license can ask the agency to employ them.
- UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children — Home Care Program · 800-322-3722 · official site
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Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Waiver questions
Can a parent get paid to care for a medically fragile child in Illinois?
Yes, if the parent holds an active RN or LPN license. The parent is paid through a home nursing agency for skilled nursing.
Can a CNA parent be paid under MFTD?
Not yet for children under 21. Since May 20, 2026, CNA-certified legally responsible individuals can be paid for participants 21 and older.
Does my income count for MFTD?
No. The waiver lets the state set aside parents' income and assets when deciding the child's eligibility.
Who runs the MFTD waiver?
HFS is the Medicaid agency. UIC DSCC runs the Home Care Program and care coordination for HFS.
What if my child turns 21?
Participants enrolled before their 21st birthday can stay on the waiver.
Sources: hfs.illinois.gov · dscc.uic.edu · hfs.illinois.gov · Updated 2026-10-08. Program rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Illinois caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Illinois — pick yours for the local picture.