--- title: "Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid | BenefitKarma" meta: author: BenefitKarma description: "Discover how to get paid as a family caregiver through Medicaid. Learn eligibility, application steps, and programs to receive compensation for your care services. Start getting paid today!" keywords: "government programs, federal benefits, benefit eligibility, family assistance, housing programs, food assistance" "og:description": "Learn how to get paid as a family caregiver via Medicaid. This guide covers eligibility, application processes, and available programs for family caregivers to receive compensation for their vital services. Maximize your benefits now!" "og:title": "Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid" "twitter:description": "Discover how to get paid as a family caregiver through Medicaid. Learn eligibility, application steps, and programs to receive compensation for your care services. Start getting paid today!" "twitter:title": "How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid" --- [BENEFITKARMA](https://benefitkarma.com/) [Find Benefits](https://benefitkarma.com/find-benefits) Learn [Tools](https://benefitkarma.com/tools) Resources [About](https://benefitkarma.com/about) [Sign In](https://benefitkarma.com/welcome?mode=signin)Subscribe [Benefits Newsroom](https://benefitkarma.com/) - / [A New IRS Rule Could Make Dependent Care FSAs Easier to Offer](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/benefits-in-the-news/a-new-irs-rule-could-make-dependent-care-fsas-easier-to-offer) - / [SSDI Back Pay: How It Works and When You Get It](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/health-disability/understanding-ssdi-back-pay) - / [DOJ SNAP Fraud Crackdown: What the $42 Million Enforcement Surge Means for Recipients](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/benefits-in-the-news/doj-snap-fraud-crackdown-42-million) - / [Here’s How the Aid & Attendance Benefit Works for Veteran Families](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/military-veterans/aid-attendance-benefit) - / [SSI Back Pay: How You Get It, How It Impacts You](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/health-disability/understanding-ssi-back-pay) - / [2027 Social Security COLA Is 3.6%: What It Means for Your Benefits](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/benefits-in-the-news/cost-of-living-increase-2026) - / [What Is SSI? 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How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid # How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid Health & Disability Aug 3, 2026 ·Updated Aug 26, 2026 5 min read By BenefitKarma Team [#Medicaid](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/tag/medicaid)  ## On this page 1. [How Medicaid caregiver pay works](#how-medicaid-caregiver-pay-works) 2. [Who qualifies?](#who-qualifies) 3. [How to apply](#how-to-apply) 4. [State-by-state starting points](#state-by-state-starting-points) 5. [How much can you earn?](#how-much-can-you-earn) 6. [Before you apply](#before-you-apply) Free DIY tool Benefit Eligibility Screener What benefits might I qualify for? Answer a few questions and see VA, disability, food, housing, and health programs that may fit you. [Try the free tool](https://benefitkarma.com/benefit-eligibility-screener) Being a caregiver for a parent, spouse, child or other relative can feel like a full-time job — because it often is. In some situations, **[Medicaid](https://benefitkarma.com/glossary/medicaid)** can pay a family member for providing approved care at home. The payment is not an automatic caregiver allowance. The person receiving care must qualify for **Medicaid**-funded long-term services, enroll in a program that permits participant direction and formally hire the relative as a caregiver. The rules — including whether spouses or parents can be paid — vary by state and program. *BenefitKarma is here to help you make sense of government benefits; sign up today to stay in the know.*  ## How Medicaid caregiver pay works The federal rules behind these programs are explained in [Medicaid self-directed services (CMS)](https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/long-term-services-supports/self-directed-services), which covers the 1915(c), 1915(i), 1915(j) and 1915(k) authorities that allow a state to pay a family caregiver. **Medicaid’s home and community-based services (HCBS) help older adults and people with disabilities receive care at home instead of in an institution.** Many HCBS programs offer “self-directed,” “consumer-directed” or “participant-directed” services. That means the person receiving care can help choose, schedule and supervise the worker. Most self-directed Medicaid programs allow at least some relatives to be paid. Adult children, siblings and other relatives are often easier to approve than a spouse, the parent of a minor child or a legal guardian. Those “legally responsible” relatives may be allowed only under certain Medicaid programs or when the state determines that extraordinary care is needed. The caregiver may be paid hourly or receive a daily payment through a structured family-caregiving program. Medicaid pays only for authorized tasks and hours, not every hour a relative spends helping. ## Who qualifies? The person needing care generally must: - Be enrolled in Medicaid or financially eligible for it - Need help with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting or moving safely - Complete a medical or functional assessment - Qualify for personal care, attendant care or an HCBS waiver - Live at home or in another approved community setting The caregiver may need to be at least 18, pass a background check, complete training, enroll as a provider and use electronic visit verification. A fiscal-management company may process payroll, taxes and timesheets. ## How to apply Start with the care recipient’s state Medicaid agency, managed-care plan, Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center. Free DIY tool Benefit Eligibility Screener What benefits might I qualify for? Answer a few questions and see VA, disability, food, housing, and health programs that may fit you. [Try the free tool](https://benefitkarma.com/benefit-eligibility-screener) Ask this exact question: > \[object Object] Then: 1. Apply for Medicaid if the person is not already enrolled. 2. Request an assessment of the person’s daily care needs. 3. Ask about every self-directed option, not just one waiver. 4. Confirm whether the specific relative can be paid. 5. Complete caregiver enrollment, training and payroll paperwork. 6. Submit accurate timesheets only for approved services. Some waiver programs have enrollment caps or waiting lists. Ask whether a state-plan personal-care program is available while you wait. ## State-by-state starting points Program names and eligibility rules change. These are the main terms to ask your Medicaid agency about; being listed does not mean every relative can be paid. - Alabama: [Personal Choices](https://medicaid.alabama.gov/content/6.0_LTC_Waivers/6.3_Other_LTC_Programs/6.3.3_Personal_Choices.aspx) - Alaska: [Consumer-Directed Personal Care Services](https://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/pca/default.aspx) or [Community First Choice](https://dhss.alaska.gov/dsds/Pages/cfc/default.aspx) - Arizona: [Self-Directed Attendant Care through ALTCS](https://www.azahcccs.gov/Members/ALTCS/sdac.html) - Arkansas: [Independent Choices](https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/divisions-shared-services/medical-services/) - California: [In-Home Supportive Services](https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-services) or [Self-Determination Program](https://www.dds.ca.gov/initiatives/sdp/) - Colorado: [Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services](https://hcpf.colorado.gov/cdass) or [In-Home Support Services](https://hcpf.colorado.gov/in-home-support-services) - Connecticut: [Community First Choice](https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Community-First-Choice) or [Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders](https://portal.ct.gov/DSS/Blurbs/Connecticut-Home-Care-Program-for-Elders) - Delaware: [Diamond State Health Plan Plus self-directed services](https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dmma/dshp_plus.html) - District of Columbia: [Services My Way](https://dhcf.dc.gov/) - Florida: [Consumer-Directed Care Plus](https://apd.myflorida.com/cdcplus/) or [Long-Term Care Waiver](https://ahca.myflorida.com/) - Georgia: [Participant direction through CCSP, ICWP, NOW or COMP waivers](https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/waiver-programs) - Hawaii: [QUEST Integration consumer-directed services](https://medquest.hawaii.gov/) - Idaho: [Family Directed Supports or self-directed waiver services](https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/medicaid-health) - Illinois: [Home Services Program](https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29738) - Indiana: [PathWays for Aging](https://www.in.gov/pathways/) or [Health and Wellness waiver services](https://www.in.gov/fssa/) - Iowa: [Consumer Choices Option](https://hhs.iowa.gov/medicaid) or [Consumer-Directed Attendant Care](https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs) - Kansas: [Self-directed services through KanCare HCBS waivers](https://www.kancare.ks.gov/) - Kentucky: [Participant-Directed Services](https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms) and [HCBS waiver services](https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dca/Pages/HCBSWaiver.aspx) - Louisiana: [Self-direction through Community Choices Waiver](https://ldh.la.gov/page/community-choices-waiver) - Maine: [Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Services](https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads) - Maryland: [Community First Choice](https://health.maryland.gov/mmcp/longtermcare/Pages/Community-First-Choice.aspx) or [Developmental Disabilities Administration self-direction](https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/self-direction.aspx) - Massachusetts: [MassHealth Personal Care Attendant Program](https://www.mass.gov/personal-care-attendant-pca-program) - Michigan: [Home Help](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/medicaid/home-help) or [Self-Determination Initiative](https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs) - Minnesota: [Community First Services and Supports](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/services/cfss/) or [Consumer Directed Community Supports](https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/services/home-community/services/cdcs.jsp) - Mississippi: [Participant-directed services through applicable HCBS waivers](https://medicaid.ms.gov/programs/long-term-care/) - Missouri: [Consumer-Directed Services](https://health.mo.gov/seniors/) or [Structured Family Caregiving](https://dss.mo.gov/) - Montana: [Community First Choice or Big Sky Waiver](https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/csb) - Nebraska: [Personal Assistance Services or developmental-disability waiver self-direction](https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-and-Long-Term-Care.aspx) - Nevada: [State Plan Personal Care Services or Self-Directed Family Support Services](https://dhcfp.nv.gov/) - New Hampshire: [Choices for Independence or state-plan personal care](https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/) - New Jersey: [Personal Preference Program](https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmahs/) and [self-direction through the Division of Developmental Disabilities](https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddd/individuals/access-services/self-direction) - New Mexico: [Mi Via Waiver](https://www.hca.nm.gov/programs/mi-via/) or [Self-Directed Community Benefit](https://www.hca.nm.gov/) - New York: [Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program](https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/cdpapas.htm) - North Carolina: [CAP/DA, CAP/C or NC Innovations consumer direction](https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/beneficiaries/long-term-services-and-supports/quarterly-cap-stakeholder-meetings/community-alternatives-program-cap-faqs) - North Dakota: [Home and Community Based Services](https://www.hhs.nd.gov/adults-and-aging) - Ohio: [PASSPORT, SELF, Individual Options or Level One waivers](https://medicaid.ohio.gov/families-and-individuals/citizen-programs-and-initiatives/hcbs) - Oklahoma: [ADvantage, In-Home Supports or Community Waiver](https://oklahoma.gov/ohca.html) and [OHCA plans and waivers](https://oklahoma.gov/ohca/policies-and-rules/plans-and-waivers.html) - Oregon: [Independent Choices, K Plan or State Plan Personal Care](https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/aging-disability-services/pages/default.aspx) - Pennsylvania: [Community HealthChoices or participant-directed services](https://www.dhs.pa.gov/HealthChoices/HC-Services/Pages/CHC-Main.aspx) - Rhode Island: [Personal Choice or Independent Provider Program](https://eohhs.ri.gov/) - South Carolina: [Community Choices Waiver](https://www.scdhhs.gov/) - South Dakota: [Assistive Daily Living Services or Family Support 360](https://dss.sd.gov/) - Tennessee: [CHOICES consumer direction or Employment and Community First CHOICES](https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/choices.html) - Texas: [Consumer Directed Services through STAR+PLUS, CFC, CLASS, HCS, or TxHmL](https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/consumer-directed-services-cds) - Utah: [Self-direction through Aging, Physical Disabilities or New Choices waivers](https://medicaid.utah.gov/) - Vermont: [Choices for Care, Flexible Choices or Adult Family Care](https://asd.vermont.gov/services/choices-for-care) - Virginia: [Consumer-directed services through CCC Plus or DD waivers](https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-members/cardinal-care-members/) - Washington: [Community First Choice, Medicaid Personal Care or New Freedom](https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/stakeholders/community-first-choice-option) - West Virginia: [Personal Options through applicable HCBS waivers](https://dhhr.wv.gov/) - Wisconsin: [IRIS Program](https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/iris/index.htm) or [Family Care](https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycare/index.htm) - Wyoming: [Community Choices, Supports or Comprehensive waiver participant direction](https://health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/hcbs/) ## How much can you earn? There is no national pay rate. Earnings depend on the state, program, local wage rules, approved tasks and number of authorized hours. Ask for the hourly or daily rate before enrolling and whether overtime is allowed. Some payments to a live-in caregiver under a qualifying Medicaid HCBS waiver may be excluded from federal income under IRS Notice 2014-7. The rule does not apply to every caregiver payment, so confirm the program with the payroll provider or a tax professional. ## Before you apply Do not pay a private company a large fee to “unlock” caregiver benefits. No one can guarantee approval. Verify the program through Medicaid and never report hours you did not work. The best first step is simple: Request a care-needs assessment and ask which self-directed programs allow the person to hire your specific family relationship. ### Not sure what you qualify for? A quick conversation can help you understand your options. See If This Makes Sense For You [Check My Eligibility Free](https://benefitkarma.com/benefit-eligibility-screener) Optional — no obligation, fees may apply ### Want help figuring out your next step? Optional — fees may apply depending on your situation. Some people choose to talk to a professional before taking their next step. This might sound familiar: You're not sure what to do next You want someone to walk through your options The process feels overwhelming Carefully screened professionals No obligation to proceed Your info stays private until you consent If that sounds like you, this might be worth a quick look. See support options Takes less than a minute We only share your info with a service provider if you say yes. ### Recommended Tools Take action with our free tools [<h4>Benefit Eligibility Screener</h4>Check healthcare eligibility](https://benefitkarma.com/benefit-eligibility-screener) [<h4>Find Benefits</h4>Explore healthcare programs](https://benefitkarma.com/find-benefits) ### Get More from BenefitKarma Create a free account to unlock all features - Access premium benefit tools - Personalized benefit matching - Your personalized dashboard [Sign Up Free](https://benefitkarma.com/welcome) ### Related Articles [<h4>SSI Back Pay: How You Get It, How It Impacts You</h4>Oct 22, 2026](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/health-disability/understanding-ssi-back-pay) [<h4>SSDI Back Pay: How It Works and When You Get It</h4>Oct 22, 2026](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/health-disability/understanding-ssdi-back-pay) [<h4>What Is SSI? Supplemental Security Income Explained for 2027</h4>Oct 21, 2026](https://benefitkarma.com/articles/health-disability/what-is-supplemental-security-income-ssi-what-you-need-to-know) ## Common questions about this guide ### What is "How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver Through Medicaid" about? This article walks through how health & disability works, what the rules mean for you, and the next steps you can take with confidence. ### Who should read this Health & Disability guide? This guide is for anyone exploring health & disability who wants a clear, plain-language explanation before making decisions. It is especially helpful if you are new to the process, comparing your options, or trying to understand a recent letter or update from the VA or Social Security. ### How recent is the information in this article? BenefitKarma reviews core guides at least once a year and any time the underlying program rules, pay rates, or eligibility thresholds change. 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