MaineCare Consumer Directed Attendant Services (Section 12)

Consumer Directed Attendant Services (CDAS, MaineCare Section 12) lets adults with disabilities who can direct their own care hire, train and supervise their own personal care attendants, paid by MaineCare. For the wider picture, see our Maine Long-Term Care Medicaid guide.

Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.

At a glance

Section 12 CDAS in brief

To sum up, Maine DHHS, Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) oversees Section 12 CDAS. It serves 18 and older, and the care requirement is: Needs help with activities of daily living, shown by the MED assessment. As for waiting: No. More detail on each point follows, and the Maine state guide covers the shared financial rules. If Section 12 CDAS is not the right fit, the related pages at the end point to other Maine programs and general guides.

What the program is

Under Section 12, the participant is the employer. A service coordination agency provides skills training and support, and a fiscal agent handles payroll. The MED assessment determines eligibility and authorized hours.

Section 12 CDAS puts the person receiving care in the employer’s seat, choosing and managing their own attendants. Payroll and tax paperwork runs through a fiscal intermediary. Relatives can often be hired, though rules on spouses vary. See Consumer-directed care and Paid family caregivers.

Who qualifies in 2026

Eligibility for Section 12 CDAS comes down to these points. The person:

• Is 18 or older with a disability
• Has MaineCare
• Needs help with activities of daily living, as shown by the MED assessment
• Is able to direct their own care

Financial eligibility. The person must have MaineCare. Maine’s rules are in our state guide. The table’s figures are Maine’s 2026 long-term care numbers, taken from our state guide. Exempt items generally include the home within the equity cap, a car, household goods and a modest burial fund. Married couples get extra protection in Maine: the spouse at home keeps a share of assets and may get some of the applicant’s income. See Spousal impoverishment rules.

How the care assessment works. For Section 12 CDAS, an assessor checks how much help the person needs with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility and medications, and whether memory loss calls for supervision. A nurse or social worker working with MaineCare usually does it in person, wherever the person is living. Families should describe the worst days honestly and bring a list of conditions and medicines. See Nursing home level of care and Activities of daily living.

What services it can pay for

What a participant receives under Section 12 CDAS follows the care plan. Possible services include:

• Personal care attendant services
• Skills training in managing attendants
• Fiscal and payroll support

No program pays for everything. Section 12 CDAS services are based on assessed need, and a family caregiver who is already helping is usually counted when the plan is written. A change in health is a reason to request a reassessment.

How to apply

Applying usually involves two decisions: one about money (financial eligibility for Medicaid) and one about care needs. In plain terms, the steps are:

1. Request a MED assessment through the state’s assessing agency.
2. Apply for MaineCare if not enrolled.
3. Work with the service coordination agency to hire attendants.

Before contacting MaineCare, see Applying for a waiver and the documents checklist for what to gather.

Waiting lists

Section 12 is a MaineCare benefit without a slot cap. Maine’s HCBS access reports show no waiting list, so members who meet the rules can get services. Delays usually come from the MED assessment and from hiring an attendant.

See Waiver waiting lists for general tips.

How it relates to nursing home Medicaid

CDAS is for people who can manage their own care. If needs grow, Section 19 or nursing facility care may be appropriate.

Where the nursing home rules still apply. Most money rules carry over from nursing home Medicaid. The five-year look-back still matters: a transfer for less than fair value can delay payment for long-term care services. After death, estate recovery can reach services paid from age 55 on. Under Section 12 CDAS, income above an allowance may go toward the cost of care each month.

If a nursing home becomes necessary. A Maine nursing home resident keeps a 2026 personal needs allowance of $40 a month, and most other income goes to the facility. Details are in our state guide.

Tips for families

• Start early. If there is a waiting list or a slow assessment, the clock usually starts when you ask, not when the crisis comes.
• Keep copies of every Section 12 CDAS form, notice and letter, and write down the name of each person you speak with and the date.
• Use your appeal rights. Notices that deny or reduce services explain how to request a fair hearing; acting quickly can protect current services.
• Report changes in income, assets, address or living situation to MaineCare when they happen.
• Expect yearly reviews of both Medicaid eligibility and the care assessment. See Renewals.
• Get help with complex Section 12 CDAS cases, such as a spouse at home or past gifts. A certified Medicaid planner or a legal aid office can review how Maine’s rules fit a family’s situation.

Common questions

Must I be able to direct my own care? Yes. Section 12 requires that.

Can family be hired? Yes, some relatives, such as an adult child, can be hired. A spouse, a parent or another legally responsible relative cannot.

How many hours? Set by the MED assessment.

Related pages

• Maine Long-Term Care Medicaid guide
• Maine Section 19 waiver
• Consumer-directed care
• Three kinds of Long-Term Care Medicaid
• PACE programs

Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.