State-by-state family caregiver pay rate guide
At Paid.care, we help family caregivers get paid for the care they give at home. Many states offer pay through Medicaid and other health care programs — depending on location, Medicaid waiver rules, and type of care provided.
If you’re supporting a loved one with activities of daily living, you may qualify for payment, employment benefits, and insurance coverage. This guide explains how caregiver pay works, what programs are available, and how Paid.care can help you start getting paid.
MEDICAID · VA · LTC · PFL
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INDEX · A TO W
- AlabamaAL
- AlaskaAK
- ArizonaAZ
- ArkansasAR
- CaliforniaCA
- ColoradoCO
- ConnecticutCT
- DelawareDE
- FloridaFL
- GeorgiaGA
- HawaiiHI
- IdahoID
- IllinoisIL
- IndianaIN
- IowaIA
- KansasKS
- KentuckyKY
- LouisianaLA
- MaineME
- MarylandMD
- MassachusettsMA
- MichiganMI
- MinnesotaMN
- MississippiMS
- MissouriMO
- MontanaMT
- NebraskaNE
- NevadaNV
- New HampshireNH
- New JerseyNJ
- New MexicoNM
- New YorkNY
- North CarolinaNC
- North DakotaND
- OhioOH
- OklahomaOK
- OregonOR
- PennsylvaniaPA
- Rhode IslandRI
- South CarolinaSC
- South DakotaSD
- TennesseeTN
- TexasTX
- UtahUT
- VermontVT
- VirginiaVA
- WashingtonWA
- Washington, D.C.DC
- West VirginiaWV
- WisconsinWI
- WyomingWY
Family caregiver pay rate basics
Family caregiver pay rate depends on state programs, health needs, and hours of care. Some states offer hourly payment through Medicaid waivers, while others reimburse care through Medicare Advantage or insurance policy benefits.
Paid.care evaluates your eligibility, confirms pay rates, and assists with documentation to ensure caregivers receive proper wage payments.
How Medicaid supports family caregivers
Medicaid offers financial support for in-home care through waiver programs. These programs allow payment to family caregivers instead of paying for care in a nursing home. Eligibility depends on the recipient's income, health, and need for daily care — Paid.care helps complete the required background check and paperwork to enroll you.
Income, payment, and taxes for caregivers
Caregiver payment is considered income and may be subject to income tax. You must report caregiver wages on your tax return each year. Some caregivers receive reimbursement through Medicaid or a Medicare Advantage plan — Paid.care offers tools and financial guidance to manage taxes and employment records.
Employee benefits for paid caregivers
When caregivers are paid as employees, they may qualify for employee benefits including health insurance, overtime pay, and sick leave. Policies differ by program and state. Paid.care helps you understand which benefits apply and supports you in tracking hours and health documentation.
Health insurance, Medicare, and policy coverage
Caregivers may receive health insurance through Medicaid or an insurance policy linked to their employment. Some Medicare programs may also cover health care and medication costs for the care recipient. Paid.care helps explain your options and makes sure you meet policy requirements.
Home care and activities of daily living
Family caregivers often provide support with bathing, dressing, mobility, and meals. These activities of daily living are central to home care and usually qualify for pay under Medicaid or insurance programs. With Paid.care, you can track these services and log each hour.
Veterans VA caregiver programs
Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS, informally 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. The Veterans Health Administration sets hourly rates for home care, adjusted for your area's cost of living — so pay varies by location and the veteran's needs.
Veteran’s Aid & Attendance and Housebound Pensions
These specialized programs serve wartime veterans and spouses. Navigating them to pay individuals — including adult children caring for aging parents — involves understanding the pension's dependency on current non-pension related income. You may also be able to deduct all care-related expenses (private caregivers and home care agencies) from your taxable income.
Long-term care insurance
You should also consider if your loved one has a long-term care insurance plan that covers payment for caregivers. Certain long-term care insurance policies compensate family caregivers for their services — initiating communication with the insurer gives you a comprehensive understanding of the policy's coverage.
- 1
Check your loved one’s long-term care insurance policy for caregiver payment benefits.
- 2
Confirm caregiver compensation is included in the benefits — the Family Caregiver Alliance notes certain LTC policies compensate family caregivers.
- 3
Find an approved home health agency to hire your family member for caregiving, and contact the insurance agent with any coverage questions.
Paid family leave for caregivers
Balancing work and caregiving for a loved one? Don't wait to find out if your company offers paid caregiver leave. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of paid time off for employees who care for sick or aging family members — sometimes called elder care leave, it provides crucial financial support during a demanding time.
Take action today: check your employer's benefits website or contact your HR department to see if they offer a paid caregiver leave program.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees unpaid leave for qualifying situations — but only 27% get paid leave through their employers, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do family members get paid for caregiving?
Precise pay rates are difficult to measure as each caregiver's rate depends on a number of factors. A family caregiver's salary is a combination of their eligible program, whether they're paid an hourly or daily rate, and the amount of care and time worked — all of which vary case by case.
Pick a state to dive deeper- Your eligible program (Medicaid waiver, VA, LTC insurance)
- Hourly or daily rate structure
- Amount of care and time worked
Caregiving numbers
By the numbers
SOURCE: U.S. CAREGIVING DATA
1 out of 5 U.S. employees are family caregivers.
dollars of care provided annually.
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
Frequently asked questions
APPENDIX · 10 ENTRIES
What do you do for caregivers?
Paid.care provides payment, professional training, coaching, emotional, and financial support for families caring for a loved one.
Who is Eligible?
Clinical eligibility: to determine if you require home care, assess your specific needs. While the technical aspects of clinical eligibility can be intricate, we advise you to self-assess your need for home care before applying.
Financial eligibility typically varies by state, but the person you care for will need to be on Medicaid. States look at income, such as Social Security or a pension, and at assets, such as money in bank accounts. In Illinois, your loved one does not need Medicaid if they have under $17,500 in qualified assets. A house and a car do not count against that limit.
If you assume you are financially ineligible, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Applying for an assessment is often worthwhile, and it will at least clarify your options.
What does the program cost?
If you have Medicaid, training and support is covered by Paid.care at no cost to you or your loved one. Select Medicare and Medicaid plans cover the cost of Paid.care training and support for their members. In Indiana, anyone with Medicaid or eligible for a Medicaid Waiver is eligible to get paid.
How much do family caregivers get paid?
Family caregivers with Paid.care can earn up to $800+ a week in certain states. The weekly amount depends on your approved hours and the level of care your loved one qualifies for. We pay every week, and a care coach can walk you through the rate for your state and program before you enroll.
What happens if I don’t have Medicaid or an HCBS waiver?
Our care team eases insurance frustrations by assisting with Medicaid, Medicare transitions, and Medicaid Waiver applications while ensuring you receive maximum benefits. If you’re hesitant or unsure, call our care experts to discuss your options.
I’m not tech savvy. Will I be able to use your app?
Through our partnership with the Roo Work app, we’ve simplified communication, allowing easy note-sharing with care experts. Compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers.
What areas do you currently serve?
Paid.care serves families in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois, with offices throughout the Midwest. We cover all of Indiana and all of Michigan. In Illinois we serve Cook County, Will County, and Kane County.
Which programs can you provide?
Paid.care is an active provider for Structured Family Caregiving, Attendant Care, and Homemaking in Indiana. We also offer the Home Help Program in Michigan. In Illinois we offer the Community Care Program (CCP) and the Home Services Program (HSP).
What will training be like?
Our inclusive program combines virtual and in-person training so you can care for your adult or child family member at home. The number of online training hours varies by state requirements.
How will I get paid?
You’ll keep track of your caregiving work in the Paid Care app. You get paid every week from Rippling or a Rapid Pay Card.