State-By-State Family Caregiver Pay Rate Guide

PAID.CARE’S ULTIMATE GUIDE

Our guide shows how many family caregivers there are in each state and the value of their unpaid work. Learn how much payment family members can receive for caring for a loved one. All the while, you can access state-specific guides that to inform you about the unique benefits and care programs available where you live. See our compensation guide below for paid caregiving in your state…

SECTIONS

Browse Directory By State:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, D.C.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Family Caregiver Pay Rate Guide

What is a family caregiver?

Put simply, a family caregiver is someone who takes care of and supports a disabled or elderly family member.

The caring job involves assisting with ADLSs (activities of daily living), while taking care of health needs. Additionally, it includes providing emotional support. The ultimate goal is to ensure the health and well-being of their loved one.

Family caregivers are important for helping people with physical or cognitive challenges have a good quality of life. Caregivers help with moving, giving medicine, and being a friend. They spend time and effort to make their family members' lives better.

Recognizing the importance of their contribution, various states have implemented programs to support and empower family caregivers. These programs offer support to family caregivers who assist their disabled or aging loved ones. The support includes training, coaching, and financial assistance. The goal is to help caregivers ensure the health and happiness of their loved ones.

Family Caregiver Pay Rate - Medicaid Caregiver Programs

State Medicaid Caregiver Programs

53 million family caregivers live in the US and 18.8% of them have a loved one on Medicaid. The Medicaid Caregiver Program helps low-income individuals pay for healthcare costs using federal and state governments funding. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid extends benefits to services such as nursing home care and personal care services.

To get state support services, your loved one needs to join Medicaid, which might involve joining a Medicaid Waiver.

HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) State Plan Option

Within the Medicaid framework, there are various program options, each with its own unique names. One option is the HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) also known as regular Medicaid or State Plan. This is a popular Medicaid Caregiver Program at Paid.care. It lets people become paid caregivers for their loved ones, which is a great option.

Community First Choice (CFC) Option

Medicaid Caregiver offers another program known as the Community First Choice (CFC) Option. This choice allows people who need nursing home-level care to get personal attendant services through Medicaid. It also allows people to choose their own care and hire friends or family as caregivers for long-term care.

Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) State Plan Option

The Self-Directed Personal Assistance Services (PAS) State Plan Option allows individuals to choose their own personal care assistants. They can also train and supervise them. Additionally, they have the freedom to determine the amount of payment for their assistants. They work with local agencies to managing the employment side of recruiting caregivers.

Adult Foster Care

Adult Foster Care, also known as adult family living or adult family care, is another avenue within Medicaid. Medicaid helps with care expenses but not room and board for adult foster homes. For a full list of states that have Adult Foster Care Programs click here.

Caretaker Child Exception

The Caretaker Child Exception allows adult children to receive payment for taking care of their elderly parents.. This exemption involves the transfer of the parent's home to the adult child as a form of payment. It's available everywhere, but remember, breaking Medicaid's look-back rule by making improper transfers or not meeting requirements could make you ineligible for Medicaid for a period of time.

Long-term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance when getting paid as a family caregiver

You should also consider if your loved one has a long-term care insurance plan that covers payment for caregivers. The Family Caregiver Alliance notes that certain long-term care insurance policies compensate family caregivers for their services.


To understand LTC insurance, check your loved one's insurance policy for caregiver payment benefits.

After confirming your loved one's long-term care insurance plan, find out if caregiver compensation is included in the benefits. If it is, the next step is to find an approved home health agency to hire your family member for caregiving.

If you have any questions about your loved one's long-term health insurance, contact the insurance agent or company. Initiate communication to understand the caregiver payment benefit to get a comprehensive understanding of the policy's coverage.

VA Caregiver Program

Veterans VA Caregiver Programs

Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services

Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services, often referred to as VD-HCBS or informally as Veterans Directed Care, is available to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system requiring "nursing home level care." Under the va caregiver support program, veterans have the flexibility to choose their care providers, including family members who can offer personal care services.

Adult Children Can Be Paid Caregivers for Veterans.

Wondering how much you might get paid as an adult child caring for a veteran? The Veterans Health Administration (VA) sets hourly rates for home care, adjusted for your area's cost of living. This means the pay can vary depending on location.

While the exact amount depends on the veteran's needs, expect a range of $8.50 to $20.00 per hour.

Considering Aid & Attendance or Housebound Pensions? A VA Pension planning expert can help you understand your eligibility, determine the best approach, and maximize your potential benefits.

Veteran’s Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pensions

The Veterans' Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pensions are specialized programs for wartime veterans and spouses. Navigating these programs to pay individuals, including adult children caring for aging parents, involves understanding the pension's dependency on current non-pension related income.

Reduce Your Income Taxes While Caring for a Veteran

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a valuable benefit for families caring for veterans at home. You may be able to deduct all care-related expenses from your taxable income. This includes costs associated with:

  • Private caregivers: If you hire someone directly to help with your veteran's care.

  • Home care agencies: When you utilize a licensed agency to provide in-home care services.

By deducting these expenses, you can potentially lower your tax bill and save money.

Unlock VA Pension Benefits: Free Consultation with an Expert

Considering Aid & Attendance or Housebound Pensions for a Veteran? A VA Pension planning expert can help you:

  • Understand Eligibility: Get clarity on whether you qualify for these valuable benefits.

  • Maximize Benefits: Explore strategies to receive the maximum possible pension amount.

  • Personalized Approach: Discuss the best pension option for your specific situation.

Many VA-affiliated organizations offer free consultations with pension planning experts. Reach out to one today and ensure your veteran receives the financial support they deserve.

Paid Leave for Family Caregivers

Paid Family Leave for Caregivers

Employee Caregiving Leave: A Growing Trend in Company Benefits

Is Your Employer a Caregiver Champion? Check for Paid Leave! (This title uses a strong call to action and relevant keywords)

Balancing work and caregiving for a loved one? Don't wait to find out if your company offers paid caregiver leave!

The Trend of Paid Caregiver Leave: Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of offering paid time off for employees who need to care for sick or aging family members. This benefit, sometimes called elder care leave, can provide crucial financial support during a demanding time.

Paid Leave vs. Unpaid Leave: While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees unpaid leave for qualifying situations, only 27% of private sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Take Action Today: Check your employer's benefits website or contact your HR department to see if they offer a paid caregiver leave program. Having this benefit can significantly ease the burden of caregiving while you're employed.

Family Caregiver Pay Rate - Hourly/Daily

family caregiver pay rate calculator

How much do family members get paid for caregiving?

If you’re looking into getting a family caregiver, you’re probably wondering what your family caregiver’s pay rate and salary will be.

Precise pay rates are difficult to measure as each caregiver’s rate will depend on a number of factors. A family caregiver’s salary will depend on a combination of their eligible program, whether paid an hourly or daily rate, and the amount of care and time worked — all of which can vary on a case by case basis. Pick a state to dive deeper into our family caregiver pay rate.

CAREGIVING NUMBERS

53 Million..

53 million unpaid family caregivers living in the U.S.

20 Percent…

1 out of 5 U.S. employees are family caregivers.

470 Billion…

$470 billion dollars of care provided annually.

The heart and soul of our country, family caregivers, includes a population of 53 million people. Picture this: a staggering 470 billion hours of love and devotion are woven into the fabric of each year by these unsung heroes.

Thankfully, instead of payment to assisted living facilities, family caregivers may be eligible for compensation through federal and state-funded programs, including Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Additional tax benefits can also provide financial relief.

PAID CAREGIVER FAQS

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