What States Pay You for Taking Care of a Loved One?

Did you know you can be compensated for providing care for a family member or loved one? At CaringPays, we are committed to providing resources and healthcare services to caregivers and their loved ones. Consumer direct models give care recipients more control over the care they receive and can enable family caregivers to get paid. Here, we explore the states where family caregiver pay is available and what you need to know.  

Why Do States Pay Family Caregivers? 

Family caregivers offer great value by providing for and supporting loved ones who cannot fully care for themselves due to an illness, condition, injury, or disability. Often serving the role of primary caretaker, family caregivers provide several forms of assistance, including personal care, medication assistance, and household chores. Family caregivers help ensure their loved one receives quality care, which can significantly improve the care recipient’s quality of life. 

In addition to assisting with activities of daily living, family caregivers also play a vital role in the mental health of their loved ones. By providing emotional support and companionship, family caregivers help maintain the overall well-being of those in their care. Family caregivers often advocate for their loved ones, ensuring they receive home care services that meet their needs.  

States understand that caregiving can be a full-time job. They also recognize the hard work involved in providing care. It’s for these reasons that states wish to compensate family caregivers. 

What Is the Consumer Direct Model? 

There’s another reason states want to pay family caregivers. Individuals who require long-term care might be uncertain about enrolling in care facilities. They might fear a loss of independence or worry about the spread of illnesses. On the other hand, shortages in the home care workforce may make it difficult to hire someone full-time to provide care. Family caregivers offer a solution so their loved ones can stay in their homes and receive care.  

The way family caregivers can get paid is through the consumer direct model. Many people who require care are Medicaid enrollees. Through Medicaid consumer-directed care programs, Medicaid participants have the choice to hire care providers themselves, instead of a state agency determining who delivers care.  

The consumer direct model is becoming more and more popular. All states and Washington, D.C. have at least one consumer-directed long-term services and supports (LTSS) option.  

What Benefits Does Caregiver Compensation Provide? 

Like all family caregivers, you take on the responsibility out of love and devotion for your ailing family member. In many cases, however, family caregivers face financial hardships due to the time commitment associated with caregiving and limited hours for additional work.  

Additional expenses also may set you back financially. Transportation costs, medical supplies, and home modifications are just a few of the expenses family caregivers commonly incur. These financial undertakings can place strain on the caregiver and make it difficult to meet their own needs.  

Compensation can prevent a caregiver from needing to obtain another source of income. This alleviates some of the financial stresses they experience. They can focus entirely on meeting their loved one’s needs and access the resources and services they need to deliver the best care.  

State Assistance for Family Caregivers  

Like Medicaid, consumer direct programs enabling family caregiver compensation are managed by the state, and eligibility requirements apply. Eligibility may depend on the care recipient’s age, medical condition, and level of disability. In general, to qualify for financial compensation as a family caregiver, the following must apply: 

• The caregiver and recipient must be related, such as a parent, spouse, or child 
• The person needing care must have a qualifying medical condition or disability 
• The caregiver must provide regular and substantial care to the care recipient 
• The caregiver must meet certain income and asset limits 

Learn more about the state programs where CaringPays has agencies:  

Colorado 

In Colorado, the Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) program enables care recipients to determine who provides their care. To qualify, a care recipient must first be eligible for a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver in which CDASS is approved. Other eligibility requirements apply. Learn how to apply for family caregiver compensation in Colorado.

Georgia 

Family caregivers in Georgia can access financial and support services through the Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program. Eligibility requirements apply to both the caregiver and the recipient. Find out about applying to get paid for caregiving in Georgia.  

Indiana

The Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver program in Indiana gives care recipients the ability to remain in their homes and receive care instead of going into a nursing facility. An extension of this program is the Consumer-Directed Attendant Care (CDAC) program, which enables care recipients to select their personal care providers. Family caregivers can seek compensation through this program, but certain general and financial requirements apply for eligibility. Learn more about applying in Indiana.   

Maryland

Maryland Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) enables family caregivers to get compensated for the care they provide. Care recipients must live in the area to be eligible, and other medical and financial criteria apply. Discover how you can get paid as a family caregiver in Maryland.  

Massachusetts 

Various Medicaid waiver programs allow family members to get paid for caregiving. Some requirements to qualify may differ for each program. Learn how to apply for family caregiver compensation in Massachusetts.  

New York 

Through the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), care recipients in New York have the freedom to choose their caregivers. It’s also through this program that family caregivers can seek compensation. Learn the criteria for eligibility and how to apply in New York.   

Pennsylvania 

Family caregivers can explore compensation through several Medicaid waiver programs in Pennsylvania, including Community HealthChoices (CHC) and the Person/Family Directed Support (P/FDS) Waiver. Both programs enable older adults and people with disabilities to remain in their homes while receiving care, and unique eligibility requirements apply. Find out how to apply for compensation in Pennsylvania.  

Washington, D.C.

Some Medicaid waiver programs like Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) and the Elderly and Disabled (E&D) waiver may allow family caregivers in Washington, D.C. to get paid. These programs also offer other services to care recipients. Individuals receiving care must meet certain requirements to qualify. Learn more about caregiver compensation and how to apply in Washington, D.C.  

Discover More About Family Caregiver Pay Opportunities  

Ensure your loved one receives quality care by taking on the role of family caregiver – and get compensated for it. Honor Health Network offers comprehensive support and is trusted by caregivers nationwide. Beyond pay, our caregivers also receive competitive benefits packages. We serve aging adults and caregivers in Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.  Check your eligibility to find out if you qualify to begin the application and enrollment process and start getting paid.