Family caregiver pay, state by state

How much could you get paid to care for a family member?

Most families get paid through Medicaid. If your loved one qualifies for Medicaid home care, many states let them hire you, and the program pays you.¹

Official sources
Last verified Oct 20, 2026
Independent site, not a government agency

Find your state

Or browse all 50 states + DC

An adult son and daughter help their mother, who uses a wheelchair, with her medicine in the kitchen

Written by Luis Fernando Garcia

Reviewed against official sources Last verified Oct 20, 2026 4 official sources cited

Methodology Editorial policy Corrections

The short answer

There are three main ways to get paid. Medicaid self-directed home care in your state.¹ The VA caregiver stipend if your loved one is a Veteran.³ And, less often, long-term care insurance or state paid family leave.¹ Medicare generally does not pay family caregivers.²

Key facts

Main path: State Medicaid self-directed care¹. How it works
Veterans: VA PCAFC monthly stipend³. Details
Medicare: Generally does not pay family caregivers². Why
Pay amount: Varies by state and program¹. What we know

Compare all states

Each row links to a state page with its own official sources.

Family caregiver pay programs, 50 states and DC
State	Main program	Spouse can be paid?	Published pay
Alabama	Personal Choices (self-directed waiver services)	Not stated on the official page	See state page
Alaska	Consumer-Directed Personal Care Services (CDPCS) and Community First Choice	Yes, through Community First Choice PCS	See state page
Arizona	ALTCS Self-Directed Attendant Care (SDAC) and spouse attendant care	Yes, through an agency, max 40 hrs per week	Not published
Arkansas	IndependentChoices	No	See state page
California	In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)	Yes, under program rules	See state page
Colorado	Consumer-Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)	Yes, for extraordinary care	Not published
Connecticut	Community First Choice (CFC)	No	See state page
Delaware	Self-Directed Attendant Care (DSHP Plus)	Yes, up to 40 hrs per week	See state page
District of Columbia	EPD Waiver: Services My Way	No	See state page
Florida	SMMC Long-Term Care Participant Direction Option (PDO)	Check with your LTC plan	Not published
Georgia	Structured Family Caregiving (CCSP and SOURCE waivers)	No	Not published
Hawaii	QUEST Integration self-direction (Personal Assistance)	Yes, in extraordinary circumstances	See state page
Idaho	Medicaid Personal Care and Attendant Care	No (ended July 2025)	See state page
Illinois	Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant	Yes, extraordinary care only	See state page
Indiana	Structured Family Caregiving (SFC)	Not stated on the state fact sheet	Not published
Iowa	Consumer Choices Option (CCO)	Possibly, under the Elderly Waiver	See state page
Kansas	KanCare HCBS self-direction	Varies by waiver	See state page
Kentucky	Participant Directed Services (PDS)	Yes, with DAIL approval	See state page
Louisiana	Community Choices Waiver Self-Direction Option	Yes, extraordinary care only	See state page
Maine	MaineCare Consumer Directed Attendant Services	Check with OADS	See state page
Maryland	Community First Choice (CFC) self-directed personal assistance	Not stated on the official page	See state page
Massachusetts	MassHealth PCA program and Adult Foster Care (AFC)	No	See state page
Michigan	Home Help program	No (Home Help)	See state page
Minnesota	PCA Choice and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)	Yes, since Oct 2024	See state page
Mississippi	Elderly and Disabled Waiver, relatives as direct care workers	No	See state page
Missouri	Consumer Directed Services (CDS)	No	See state page
Montana	Self-directed Community First Choice and Personal Care	Yes, under CFCS rules	See state page
Nebraska	Medicaid HCBS waiver independent providers and LRI Personal Care	Yes, LRI Personal Care only	See state page
Nevada	Personal Care Services, self-directed through an ISO	No	See state page
New Hampshire	Choices for Independence (CFI) participant-directed services	Generally no	See state page
New Jersey	Personal Preference Program (PPP)	Not stated on the state page	Not published
New Mexico	Self-Directed Community Benefit (SDCB)	Yes, with MCO approval	See state page
New York	Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP)	No	See state page
North Carolina	CAP/DA consumer direction	Not stated on the official page	See state page
North Dakota	Family Personal Care and Family Home Care	Yes	See state page
Ohio	PASSPORT Participant Direction	Yes, under OAC 5160-44-32	See state page
Oklahoma	ADvantage Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance (CD-PASS)	Only by exception	See state page
Oregon	In-Home Services (homecare worker) and Spousal Pay Program	Yes, Spousal Pay Program	See state page
Pennsylvania	Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services	No	Not published
Rhode Island	Personal Choice Program	No	See state page
South Carolina	Community Choices Waiver participant-directed Attendant Care	Check with SCDHHS	See state page
South Dakota	HOPE Waiver Structured Family Caregiving	Not stated on the official page	See state page
Tennessee	TennCare CHOICES Consumer Direction	No (consumer direction)	See state page
Texas	Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option	Only in CMPAS	Not published
Utah	Aging Waiver self-administered services	Extraordinary care only	See state page
Vermont	Choices for Care self-directed services	Yes, for personal care	See state page
Virginia	Consumer-Directed Services	Yes, since July 2025	See state page
Washington	Individual Provider (DSHS long-term services)	No (Medicaid LTSS)	See state page
West Virginia	Aged and Disabled Waiver Personal Options	No	See state page
Wisconsin	IRIS Self-Directed Personal Care	Yes	See state page
Wyoming	Community Choices Waiver participant direction	Yes, with conditions	See state page

How to apply, step by step

Check if your loved one has Medicaid, or apply at your state Medicaid office.¹
Ask for a home care or long-term services assessment.⁴
Ask if there is a self-directed or consumer-directed option.⁴
Ask if a relative like you can be hired, and enroll as the worker.¹
If your loved one is a Veteran, also apply for VA caregiver support with VA Form 10-10CG.³

US map of whether a spouse can be the paid caregiver: yes, at least with conditions, in 20 jurisdictions; no in 17; not stated or depends in 14. Source: 51 official state pages. Last verified Oct 20, 2026 — Source: 51 official state sources (see state pages), Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can I get paid by the state to take care of a family member?

Often, yes, if the person you care for qualifies for Medicaid home care. Many states let them hire a relative or friend. Rules and pay vary by state (USA.gov).

Does Medicare pay family caregivers?

Generally no. Medicare does not pay for custodial care like bathing or dressing when that is the only care needed (Medicare.gov).

Can a spouse get paid?

It depends on the state and program. Some exclude spouses and some allow them with limits. See our spouse caregiver page.

What if the person I care for is a Veteran?

The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a monthly stipend to eligible Primary Family Caregivers (VA.gov).

Sources

USA.gov, Get paid as a caregiver for a family member: https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiverOfficial
Medicare.gov, Home health services: https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/home-health-servicesOfficial
VA.gov, PCAFC: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/Official
CMS, Self-directed HCBS booklet: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/hcbs-consumer-directed-care-booklet-102815pdfOfficial

Last verified Oct 20, 2026