Oregon · self-direction option
Independent Choices Program (ICP) in Oregon
The Independent Choices Program gives an older adult or a person with a physical disability a monthly cash benefit, based on their care plan, to hire and pay their own helpers. Under the state's ICP overview, participants may hire family members, their spouse, neighbors or other workers, and they set the hourly wage themselves.
Also called: ICP · Oregon ICP · Independent Choices · cash and counseling Oregon
Who do you care for?
Quick facts
- Pay
- Set by participant (at least minimum wage)
- Adult children & other relatives
- Yes
- Spouse
- Yes
- Parent of a minor child
- Not right now
- Waitlist
- possible
Who qualifies for ICP
- Eligible for Oregon Medicaid in-home services through Aging and People with Disabilities (age 65+, or an adult with a physical disability).
- Has lived in a stable situation for the past three months and pays housing and utility bills on time.
- Has, or can open, a checking account used only for ICP money.
- Can manage employer duties, or names a representative (who passes a background check) to do it.
Who can be paid as the caregiver
- Adult children & other relatives Yes
- OAR 411-030-0100 says a participant's relative may be employed as an employee provider.
- Spouse Yes
- the ODHS ICP overview (updated Feb. 10, 2026) lists 'their spouse' among people participants may hire.
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- ICP is an adult Aging and People with Disabilities program.
- Living together
- the worker may or may not live with the participant.
Who employs the caregiver: The participant (or representative) is the household employer, responsible for payroll and taxes; they may pay for a payroll service from the discretionary fund.
Spouse rules differ by program — see spouse pay in Oregon.
How much ICP pays
Set by participant (at least minimum wage). The participant chooses each worker's hourly wage and should not pay less than the federal or Oregon minimum wage. The monthly cash benefit equals the assessed ADL/IADL task hours priced at the Department's rate schedule, plus the employer's share of payroll taxes.
Hours and budget: A case manager assesses needs at least yearly and calculates service hours. The cash benefit is paid at the start of each month. Up to 10% of the cash benefit can be set aside as a discretionary fund. Budgets are reviewed every six months.
Compare with other Oregon programs on the Oregon caregiver pay page, or across states in pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist?
ICP enrollment has been limited at times and a waitlist can form; current status is not published on the ODHS overview.
How to apply for ICP
- Contact your local Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) or Area Agency on Aging (AAA) office, or the ADRC at 1-855-673-2372.
- Complete the Medicaid financial application and the in-home services needs assessment.
- Ask your case manager for the Independent Choices Program and sign the ICP participation agreement.
- Open a separate ICP checking account, build a service budget, then hire your worker.
- ODHS Aging and People with Disabilities · 503-945-5600 · official site
- ADRC of Oregon · 1-855-673-2372 · official site
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ICP questions
Can I pay my husband or wife through ICP?
Yes. The state's ICP overview says participants may hire family members, their spouse, neighbors and others. A person who is acting as the ICP representative cannot also be the paid worker.
How much can I pay my caregiver?
You decide the hourly wage. It should be at least minimum wage, and the total must fit inside your monthly cash benefit after employer taxes.
Do I need a special bank account?
Yes. ICP requires a separate checking account used only for ICP money, and you must keep records showing how it was spent.
What happens if I go into the hospital?
If you are away from home for more than 30 days for illness or treatment, the ICP cash benefit stops. Other in-home services can be offered when you return.
Can I leave ICP later?
Yes. You can leave at any time and switch back to regular in-home services, such as a homecare worker paid by the state.
Sources: oregon.gov · oregon.public.law · medicaidplanningassistance.org · Updated 2026-10-08. Program rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Oregon caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Oregon — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border Oregon
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.