Yes, You Can Get Paid to Care for a Family Member—Here’s How
It starts with love.
Perhaps your mother fell and now requires assistance with daily activities. Perhaps your child was born with a disability that complicates everyday life. Or maybe you were the only member of the family who dared to take 24-hour care of a loved one. It wasn’t for the money. You did it because it’s what we do — we turn up for the people we love.
But to be frank: Caregiving is hard. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting, and it usually means you’ll be putting your own life — your career, your income, your free time — on hold. You shouldn’t have to pick between feeding your family and paying your bills.
Here’s what’s good: In many states you can get paid to be a family caregiver. This post is your guide.
What Is a Family Caregiver—and Why It Matters
If you assist a family member with bathing, getting dressed, eating, taking medicines, providing transportation or ensuring he or she is safe and has companionship during the day, you’re a caregiver. You may not have a medical degree, but you’re performing the equivalent of a home health aide, a nurse and a therapist — all rolled into one.
And yet, most family caregivers are unpaid. The AARP estimates that over 38 million Americans provide unpaid caregiving to adult loved ones. That’s a staggering number—and many of them are moms and parents already balancing caregiving with school runs, jobs, and the endless demands of parenting. Organizations like FreedomCare – See if You Qualify can help you with support and resources to make this journey a little easier.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Yes, You Can Get Paid to Care for a Family Member
Depending on your state and your loved one’s needs, you may be eligible to receive a weekly or monthly payment for the care you’re already giving.
Several programs can make this possible:
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
These waivers are one of the most common ways family caregivers get paid.
What it is:
Medicaid gives states the ability to create programs that allow people to receive care at home instead of a nursing facility. These are called “waivers.” Many states let the person receiving care choose their caregiver, including a family member.
Who it’s for:
- People eligible for Medicaid
- Individuals who need help with daily activities (also called ADLs) like dressing, bathing, eating, and more
- Caregivers who are not typically a spouse (though this varies by state)
What you get:
- Hourly pay based on your caregiving duties
- In some states, training and access to resources
- The dignity of getting compensated for the work you already do
Real-life example:
When my friend Rachel’s little boy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, she had no choice but to leave work in order to care for him around the clock. She was eventually able to sign on as his paid caregiver through her state’s Medicaid waiver program, receiving a monthly stipend that allowed her family to remain afloat economically.
Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) and Adult Foster Care (AFC)
Some states offer programs that provide a daily tax-free stipend to family caregivers who live with the person they care for.
What it is:
Programs like Structured Family Caregiving (offered in Georgia and Indiana) or Adult Foster Care (offered in Massachusetts and others) allow a caregiver to live in the same home and get paid a flat rate each day.
Who it’s for:
- Family members who live with the care recipient
- People who require hands-on daily care due to a physical or mental health condition
- Caregivers who agree to regular check-ins or training from a healthcare agency
What you get:
- A tax-free daily stipend
- Ongoing support and guidance from a care manager
- Relief from the financial strain of unpaid caregiving
Veterans Affairs (VA) Caregiver Support Programs
If your loved one is a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs has one of the most supportive programs out there.
What it is:
The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) offers a monthly payment, health insurance, and mental health support for caregivers of eligible veterans.
Who it’s for:
- Post-9/11 or other qualifying veterans with a serious injury or condition
- Family caregivers who provide regular personal care services
What you get:
- Monthly payments (amount depends on care level)
- Access to CHAMPVA (VA’s health insurance program)
- Respite care, training, and caregiver support services
Long-Term Care Insurance (If Available)
What it is:
A family member designee can be a paid caregiver for some long-term care insurance policies. This is not so common, but is worth looking into if your loved one has a policy.
Who it’s for:
- Individuals with existing long-term care insurance
- Family members are providing ongoing care.
What you get:
- Hourly or daily compensation, depending on the policy
- Potential coverage for additional home care support
Paid Family Leave (PFL) in Select States
What it is:
States such as California, New York and New Jersey have Paid Family Leave programs. These enable working people to take time away in order to care for a loved one — and to be paid at least some of their wages during that absence.
Who it’s for:
- Employed caregivers who need time off for caregiving
- Parents, spouses, children, or other close relatives of the person in need
What you get:
- A percentage of your average weekly wage for up to 8–12 weeks, depending on the state
- Job protection while you’re on leave
How to Start the Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re prepared to investigate what it will take to put you on a path to becoming a paid family caregiver, here is what you should do:
Step 1: Check Medicaid Eligibility
Start by finding out if your loved one is eligible for Medicaid. If they’re already enrolled, call their case manager or local Medicaid office.
Step 2: Research Your State’s Programs
Visit your state’s Department of Health, Aging, or Human Services website. Use terms like “self-directed care,” “consumer-directed services,” or “family caregiver pay.”
Step 3: Connect With an Agency
In many states, you must go through a home care agency that will pay for family caregivers. FreedomCare, for instance, is in multiple states, and focuses on getting family members paid as caregivers.
Step 4: Complete Required Training
In some states, you may need to have some basic training in skills for caregiving. Frequently, this can be done online or through an agency.
Step 5: Start Getting Paid
Once approved, you’ll begin submitting care logs or timesheets, and payments are often made weekly or biweekly.
The Emotional Side: Why This Really Matters
This isn’t just about money.
It’s about recognizing the emotional labour and physical work that caregivers—especially moms—do every single day. It’s about protecting your family’s financial stability without sacrificing the care your loved one needs. And maybe, most importantly, it’s about permitting yourself to ask for help.
There’s no medal for burning out. But some resources can ease the burden.
Helpful Resources
Final Thoughts: You’re Doing an Incredible Job
If you’re a parent, a daughter, a son, or a spouse who’s been quietly shouldering the responsibility of caregiving, you are not invisible. You are doing sacred work. And now, you have options.
Getting paid for what you do doesn’t make the love you give cheap — it honours it.
Take the next step. Explore your options. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself the way you advocate for your loved one every single day. You deserve support, too.
If you have questions, are feeling confused or overwhelmed, or need somewhere to begin, please comment or send a message. We’re here to guide you through this process.
