Resources, Family Caregiving

A state-by-state guide to the Medicaid programs that pay you to care for a family member — program names, who qualifies, and how to start.

Get Paid to Care for Family at Home

A state-by-state guide to the Medicaid programs that pay you to care for a family member — program names, who qualifies, and how to start.

If you're caring for a parent, spouse, or friend, you may be able to get paid for it — and you don't have to live in a special state to make it happen. Through Medicaid, most states run a program that lets a family member or friend be paid to provide personal care at home. The catch is that every state calls it something different and sets its own rules. This guide is the map.

The short answer

Yes, most states pay family caregivers through Medicaid — under names like consumer-directed care, self-directed care, structured family caregiving, or participant-directed services. The person receiving care generally must qualify for Medicaid and need help with everyday activities. Who can be paid (adult child, other relative, friend, sometimes a spouse) depends on the specific program. There's paperwork before pay starts — the part a coordination partner handles for you.

💡 Pro Tip: If your loved one might qualify for Medicaid but isn’t enrolled yet, starting that application is often the first step toward getting paid as a caregiver.

Your state's program, at a glance

Below are some of the main Medicaid programs that can pay family or friends to provide care at home, plus a quick note on whether a spouse can usually be paid.

• Arizona — Self-Directed Attendant Care and Agency with Choice, under the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), through AHCCCS. Family/friends yes; spouse generally no.

• Colorado — Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS). One of the few programs where a spouse can be paid.

• Georgia — Structured Family Caregiving (via the CCSP and SOURCE waivers). Live-in family yes; spouse/legal guardian no.

• Illinois — Home Services Program and Community Care Program. Many relatives yes; spouse depends on the program.

• Indiana — Structured Family Caregiving and Attendant Care (under Indiana PathWays for Aging). Live-in family yes; spouse no.

• Massachusetts — Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program; also Adult Foster Care. Relatives yes; spouse no.

• Michigan — Home Help Program (plus the MI Choice Waiver). Relative or friend yes; spouse no under Home Help. Paid weekly. (We serve here.)

• Missouri — Consumer Directed Services (CDS). Relative or friend 18+ yes; spouse no.

• Nevada — Self-Directed Personal Care Services; also a Structured Family Caregiving Waiver (2025) that can pay a spouse.

• New York — Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), now through the statewide fiscal intermediary PPL. Most relatives yes; spouse no.

• Ohio — Structured Family Caregiving (via the Ohio Home Care, PASSPORT, and MyCare Ohio waivers). Co-residing family yes; spouse only in narrow cases.

• Oregon — State Plan Personal Care, Consumer-Employed Provider, Spousal Pay, and Independent Choices. Family yes; spouse yes (through Spousal Pay). (We serve here.)

• Pennsylvania — Community HealthChoices participant-directed / “Services My Way.” Family yes; spouse no.

• Wisconsin — IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct). Family yes; spouse yes.

📌Program names and eligibility change — confirm the current details for your state before relying on them.

Care at Home currently serves families in Michigan and Oregon today and is rapidly expanding. If you're outside those states, this guide still points you in the right direction.

Don't see clear next steps for your state?

The fastest way to know what you qualify for is to check — it takes about two minutes. In Michigan or Oregon, we can take it from there.