Local help
The numbers to call while you hire, and what each one is for
Thirteen public lines and pages for a St. Louis family bringing someone into the house. Every phone number below was printed on the official page linked with it when this desk opened that page on September 12, 2026.
None of these offices will hire a caregiver for you, and none of them is ranked here. They do three jobs a hiring family runs into: finding out what services exist near the house, checking the person or the paperwork, and getting help when something has gone wrong. If a number has changed since the date above, the official page wins. Tell us and the line gets fixed.
Finding services near the house
Aging Ahead
The area agency on aging for St. Louis County and for St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson counties, with 15 centers across that area. Its office is on Manchester Road in Manchester.
(800) 243-6060 or (636) 207-0847
Source: agingahead.org/about-us/contact-us. Checked September 12, 2026.
St. Louis Area Agency on Aging
For an address inside the City of St. Louis: information on services, transportation, food services and Medicare. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1520 Market.
Source: stlouis-mo.gov, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging. Checked September 12, 2026.
Missouri Senior Resource Line
Missouri has area agencies on aging covering the state. Call, enter the five-digit ZIP of the house, and the line transfers you to the local agency.
Source: health.mo.gov, Area Agencies on Aging. Checked September 12, 2026.
Eldercare Locator
A public service of the federal Administration for Community Living that connects older adults and families to local services. Call or text trained staff, or chat online.
Source: eldercare.acl.gov. Checked September 12, 2026.
United Way 211
Greater St. Louis community resource navigation. Dial 211, or text a navigation specialist Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. TTY: 866-385-6525.
Source: 211helps.org. Checked September 12, 2026.
State programs
Home and Community-Based Services referral
If a parent may qualify for Missouri's Home and Community-Based Services, the first step is an initial referral, online or by phone. If minimum eligibility is met, an assessment team schedules a face-to-face visit.
Source: health.mo.gov, Apply for HCBS. Checked September 12, 2026.
Checking the person
Family Care Safety Registry
The worker registers first (online, $15.00 plus a $0.55 processing fee). An employer can then request background information by phone, by form, or through online access. The toll-free line is open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday.
Sources: FCSR, citizens and FCSR, providers. Checked September 12, 2026.
Paperwork if you hire directly
IRS Publication 926 and Topic 756
The Household Employer's Tax Guide for 2026: the $3,000 cash wage threshold for social security and Medicare taxes, the $1,000 quarterly threshold for federal unemployment tax, Schedule H, the EIN and Form W-2.
Sources: irs.gov/publications/p926 and irs.gov/taxtopics/tc756. Checked September 12, 2026.
Missouri Division of Employment Security
An employer of a household worker in a private home becomes liable for Missouri unemployment when it pays $1,000 in cash wages in a calendar quarter.
Source: labor.mo.gov, Liability for Unemployment. Checked September 12, 2026.
The Missouri Bar
Public legal resources, lawyer search and a Legal Resources Line, for the household employment contract or anything else that needs a lawyer rather than a web page.
Source: missourilawyershelp.org/public-resources. Checked September 12, 2026.
If your parent is a veteran
VA Caregiver Support Line
For supports and services available to veterans and their caregivers. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.
Source: caregiver.va.gov. Checked September 12, 2026.
When something is wrong
Missouri Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Seven days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reports can also be made online. Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966. If someone is in danger right now, call 911.
Source: health.mo.gov, Stop Adult Abuse. Checked September 12, 2026.
Missouri Attorney General, Consumer Protection
For a dispute with a company. Gather the contract, invoices and canceled checks, and send copies, not originals.
Source: ago.mo.gov, Consumer Complaints. Checked September 12, 2026.
Two public pages this desk tried to open on September 12, 2026 did not load for us: St. Louis County's older resident programs page and a Social Security page. Nothing from either is printed here. Questions about a parent's health, medicines or care needs belong with the doctor.