Presents consumer characteristics and describes consumers' experiences, including who received the cash allowance, how they spent it, and their satisfaction with the program. Discusses how program features addressed key policy concerns about consumer direction in the Medicaid program.

Although providing personal care to a family member with disabilities often is rewarding, it can also be emotionally, physically, and financially burdensome. Caregiver burden may be exacerbated if paid personal care services (PCS), such as those provided by Medicaid-certified personal care...

Looks at effects on informal caregivers and the experiences of hired workers. Caregivers for consumers in the treatment group reported more satisfaction, less worry, and less physical and emotional strain than caregivers for the control group. Directly hired workers received wages comparable to...