Family Caregiver Pay Rate North Carolina : Wages, Benefits & Eligibility
Medicaid, IHSS, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), VA programs, and more explained below.
NORTH CAROLINA CAREGIVING NUMBERS
800k..
Over 800,000 North Carolinians are unpaid family caregivers, providing essential daily help for aging or disabled family members.
20%…
1 in 5 North Carolina workers balance a job and caregiving duties. This affects income, employment stability, and available time.
9.2B…
$9.2 billion is the estimated annual economic value of unpaid caregiving in North Carolina.
At Paid Care, we help caregivers in North Carolina earn legal pay for providing in-home support. If you help a loved one with meals, hygiene, mobility, or medication, you may qualify for caregiver compensation through approved state programs.
This guide explains how family caregivers in North Carolina can get paid. It includes caregiver pay rates, eligibility details, and how Paid Care helps throughout the process.
Family Caregiver Pay Rate in North Carolina: What to Expect
General Range: Family caregivers in North Carolina typically earn between $13 and $19 per hour, depending on the care program, funding source, and location.
Statewide Average: The average caregiver wage in 2025 is about $15.75 per hour, with most caregivers earning between $13.50 and $18 per hour.
Urban Areas: In larger cities such as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Durham, caregiver pay often ranges from $15 to $19 per hour, reflecting higher costs of living and greater demand for care.
What Affects the Family Caregiver Pay Rate in North Carolina?
Several factors influence caregiver wages in North Carolina:
Funding Source: Rates may change depending on whether wages are paid through Medicaid, the Community Alternatives Program (CAP), a Medicaid waiver, or a veteran benefits plan.
Location: Caregivers in cities usually earn more than those in rural areas because of wage competition and higher living expenses.
Care Recipient’s Needs: Pay may be higher when caring for individuals with dementia, a disability, or advanced medical needs.
Caregiver Experience: Training, certifications, and previous caregiving experience can raise hourly pay.
Program Requirements: Each program has its own eligibility rules, pay structure, and covered services. Medicaid and VA programs set limits on what can be earned.
Option 1: Get Paid Through North Carolina’s Medicaid Waiver
The North Carolina Medicaid Waiver, offered through the Community Alternatives Program (CAP), is a primary option for family caregivers to receive payment for in-home care. This state-supported program allows seniors and people with disabilities to remain at home instead of moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility.
If you assist a loved one with activities of daily living—such as bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or managing medication—you may qualify for compensation through this Medicaid waiver. Approved caregivers can receive hourly pay while helping family members stay safe at home.
Paid Care supports North Carolina families throughout the process. We help with background checks, caregiver requirements, and submitting all Medicaid paperwork. Our goal is to make sure everything is complete and accurate—so you get paid on time, following North Carolina Medicaid and health insurance rules.
What Is It?
The North Carolina Medicaid Waiver, through programs like the Community Alternatives Program (CAP), allows qualified family caregivers to receive pay for providing in-home care to a loved one. This helps aging or disabled individuals remain at home rather than moving into a nursing home or residential facility.
Who Qualifies?
To qualify, the care recipient must be eligible for North Carolina Medicaid and require help with activities of daily living—such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meals, or medication. The caregiver must be 18 or older and pass a background check. Some programs may require legal guardianship, power of attorney, or other documentation.
Family Caregiver Pay Rate North Carolina and Benefits
Family caregivers in North Carolina usually earn between $12 and $19 per hour, depending on the care level and program requirements. Additional benefits may include:
Overtime pay
Respite care
Sick leave
Cash stipends
Mileage reimbursement
Tax-free income
How Paid Care Helps
Paid Care assists North Carolina families with eligibility checks, completing forms, and scheduling in-home evaluations with a nurse or social worker. We help you with training, time tracking, and fast payment setup—so you can focus on caregiving without financial stress.
Option 2: Earn Income Through VA Caregiver Support in North Carolina
If your parent or loved one is a veteran, you may qualify for payment through federal VA caregiver programs. These include VA Aid & Attendance and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). Both programs support veterans in North Carolina who need help with activities of daily living due to dementia, mental health conditions, medication needs, or physical disabilities. These home care options help loved ones stay out of assisted living while getting proper health care support at home.
These VA programs may offer a monthly income, a set wage, or hourly pay depending on the veteran’s care needs. Covered tasks include hygiene, meal prep, mobility help, and managing medication. Wages often exceed the state minimum wage, especially for complex care. In North Carolina, family caregiver pay rates can align with federal or Medicaid standards, depending on program eligibility.
Caregivers may also receive benefits like respite care, health insurance, paid leave, and training. Extra financial support may come through tax credit programs, mileage reimbursement, or even tax-free funds. Some families may also qualify for combined support through Medicare, Medicaid, and VA services.
What Is It?
If your parent or loved one is a veteran, you may qualify for pay through federal caregiver support options like VA Aid & Attendance or the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). These programs support home care instead of assisted living or nursing home placement. VA programs help caregivers with activities of daily living, including hygiene, medication, and mobility—especially for veterans with dementia, injuries, or mental health needs.
Who Qualifies?
Veterans in North Carolina with a qualifying condition—such as injury, illness, dementia, or a mental health disorder—may be eligible. The family caregiver must be at least 18 years old, complete a background check, and provide consistent support. Some programs may also ask for legal documents like power of attorney, consent forms, or Medicaid verification from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Family Caregiver Pay Rate North Carolina: Salary, Benefits, and Coverage
VA programs may offer a structured wage, a pension, or monthly stipends depending on the veteran’s needs and level of care. In North Carolina, the family caregiver pay rate may range from $12 to $19 per hour, and often exceeds the minimum wage when advanced care is needed.
Programs may also include:
Respite care
Health insurance
Sick leave
Tax credit eligibility
Mileage reimbursement
Technology support for time tracking and income reporting
These benefits ease financial stress and allow aging in place rather than relying on residential care.
How Paid Care Helps
Paid Care helps North Carolina families gather all necessary information, confirm veteran status, and complete VA paperwork. We assist with caregiver training, policy compliance, and fast payment setup. Our team also works with Medicaid, Medicare, and AARP-aligned services to ensure compliance with state health care, accessibility, and support standards.
Have questions or need to begin? Submit your email address and we'll help you check eligibility and start the process.
Option 3: Get Reimbursed Through a Long-Term Care Insurance Policy in North Carolina
Some families in North Carolina can receive reimbursement for caregiver services through a loved one’s long-term care insurance policy. These policies may cover home care provided to someone with a chronic illness, recovery needs, mental health conditions, or dementia. Reimbursement often supports activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, and medication support.
Reimbursement depends on the policy terms, level of care, and submitted documentation. These payments can help lower the cost of health care, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and provide consistent income for family caregivers. Depending on the insurer, families may also qualify for a tax credit, partial payments, or expense coverage.
In North Carolina, the family caregiver pay rate may vary based on the policy, but it's often used to offset or supplement direct wage payments from other programs like Medicaid. These payments may align with Medicare guidelines or complement support from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
What Is It?
If your loved one holds a long-term care insurance policy, they may be able to reimburse a family caregiver in North Carolina for help with meal preparation, hygiene, mobility, or medication reminders. These services often relate to activities of daily living and may also include basic health care tasks—especially for an aging parent, someone with dementia, or a mental health condition.
Who Qualifies?
Most policies require that the care recipient has a chronic health condition or cannot complete at least two daily activities, like bathing, dressing, or managing medication. A care plan from a registered nurse is usually needed. Some plans may also verify Medicaid, Medicare, or veteran enrollment. Additional eligibility may involve power of attorney, guardian status, or signed consent forms.
Family Caregiver Pay Rate North Carolina: Reimbursement and Wage Structure
Each insurance policy has its own reimbursement rules. Some provide a set stipend, while others offer hourly wages, often higher than North Carolina’s minimum wage. While rates vary, many policies allow tax-free payments and may also qualify you for a tax credit.
To receive income, caregivers must track hours, keep detailed logs, and submit accurate information and documentation. In many cases, these programs help offset the cost of home care, reduce financial stress, and provide consistent pay for family caregivers.
How Paid Care Helps
Paid Care helps North Carolina families confirm eligibility, review insurance paperwork, and organize required forms. We assist with budget planning, caregiver training, time tracking, and technology setup. Our team works to ensure timely payment so you can receive your full compensation through Medicaid, Medicare, or AARP-recognized plans.
Have questions or ready to start? Send us your email address, and we’ll guide you through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services process for care-related reimbursement and accessibility support.
Option 4: Get Paid by Working for a Home Care Agency in North Carolina
In North Carolina, many licensed home care agencies hire family caregivers as employees to support aging or disabled parents and loved ones. This path offers consistent income, legal job classification, and a steady wage—often above the state minimum wage. Agencies may also provide benefits such as health insurance, respite care, paid leave, and other health care perks.
To qualify, you must meet the agency’s onboarding standards. This typically includes background checks, caregivertraining, and verification of services such as medication reminders, mobility help, meal preparation, and hygiene care—all considered activities of daily living. While the position may not start with a pension or retirement plan, most agencies provide regular pay and may offer additional support like tax credit eligibility or mileage reimbursement.
Paid Care connects you with trusted North Carolina home care agencies that meet state and Medicaid, Medicare, or veteran program standards. We help with applications, policy compliance, time tracking using technology, and documentation. This improves your chances of receiving full compensation while remaining compliant with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services requirements, AARP standards, and all necessary consent and verification steps.
What Is It?
In North Carolina, some licensed home care agencies employ family members to help loved ones who need daily support. As a paid caregiver, you become an official agency employee and receive payment for your time, services, and support with activities of daily living such as hygiene, mobility, or medication reminders.
Who Qualifies?
Each agency follows its own guidelines. Most require you to be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and complete caregiver training with a registered nurse. The person receiving care must need help with tasks such as bathing, medication management, or mobility. Eligibility may also involve review of health, veteran status, or enrollment in Medicaid/Medicare through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Employment, Pay, and Benefits
Family caregivers hired by home care agencies in North Carolina earn an hourly wage, often above minimum wage, with access to employee benefits like respite care, sick leave, health insurance, and structured employment protections. Agencies may also offer formal schedules, tax credit eligibility, and secure pension tracking. These roles offer stable income and may reduce family budget stress compared to informal care.
How Paid Care Helps
Paid Care partners with trusted, registered home care agencies in North Carolina. We guide you through onboarding, confirm your caregiver pay rate, and help track hours for real-time payment. Our team ensures your information is accurate and that your parent or loved one receives consistent, compliant home care.
Additional Information for North Carolina Family Caregivers
AARP, Advocacy, and Resources
Caregivers in North Carolina are not alone. Organizations such as AARP provide education, advocacy, and tools to support you at every stage of caregiving. Paid Care also offers step-by-step help with applications, policy information, and payment tracking—so you receive the income you deserve for the essential care services you already provide.
Care Tasks That Qualify for Payment
North Carolina Medicaid waivers, veteran programs, and long-term care insurance policies often include the following caregiver services as eligible for payment:
Dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene assistance
Mobility and transfer support
Help with eating, meal preparation, and nutrition
Medication reminders and monitoring
Light housekeeping and laundry tasks
Health checks, such as blood pressure or glucose monitoring
Respite care, supervision, and companionship
These services allow loved ones to age in place, reducing the need for nursing homes, residential facilities, or foster care arrangements. They also lower out-of-pocket costs for families managing chronic conditions and long-term care needs.
Tax and Power of Attorney Considerations
Some caregiver wages may qualify as tax-free income, especially if you live in the same household as the care recipient. If you are a legal guardian or hold power of attorney, additional program rules may apply. Paid Care helps explain these steps so you remain compliant with Medicaid, Medicare, and tax credit requirements.
Getting a Paycheck with Paid Care
Paid Care simplifies the process of getting paid as a family caregiver in North Carolina. Our team helps with:
Verifying eligibility for Medicaid waivers, veteran programs, or insurance-funded caregiving
Providing training, policy guidance, and budgeting support
Offering real-time tracking and technology tools for on-time, accurate payments
Start Getting Paid for Your Care in 2025
Family caregivers deserve fair pay for supporting loved ones with daily activities. Whether wages are funded by Medicaid, Medicare, veteran benefits, or private insurance, Paid Care ensures accuracy and timeliness.
In 2025, most family caregivers in North Carolina can expect to earn between $13 and $19 per hour, depending on the program and location. Apply today with Paid Care to begin receiving the caregiver compensation you already deserve for the vital care you provide.