Caring for an older adult is expensive. We found three government programs that pay family members (and sometimes spouses) for caring for an older adult. Let's dig in!
Some Benefits Programs Pay Families to Care For Seniors
Out-of-pocket costs for caregivers can include medical supplies, prescription drug co-pays, home modifications, home care help, and more.
In addition, many people have had to leave their jobs or cut back on hours to care for their friends or family members.
Any extra money could help ease the financial pressure, so family caregivers often ask, “Can I get paid for caregiving?”
The good news is that getting paid as a family caregiver is possible – these government benefits programs exist.
The not-so-good news is that these programs aren’t available everywhere, and not everyone will qualify. But checking in to see if you can get the benefits is worthwhile.
We explain how they work and where to apply.
3 Ways to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver
1. Medicaid programs
Most states have Medicaid programs that give seniors money to hire an in-home caregiver.
That person could be a family member or friend instead of a professional caregiver. Some states also allow a spouse to be the paid caregiver.
Each state has its eligibility requirements and name for its program.
If your older adult is accepted into the state’s program, the money they receive will depend on a Medicaid assessment of need and the average state wage for in-home care aides.
To find the local Medicaid office and learn how to apply for the program, it’s best to start with the local Area Agency on Aging.
Ask them how to contact the local Medicaid office or apply for a program to pay you for caring for your older adult.
2. Special state programs
Some states may have similar programs that pay family caregivers, but for people who are not eligible for Medicaid or who have specific conditions, such as traumatic brain injury.
To find out if there are any special programs that your older adult may qualify for, contact your local Medicaid office or the state department of health.
To find the correct government office, it might be easiest to start with the local Area Agency on Aging and ask them to direct you.
3. Veterans benefits programs
Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS)
This home-based care program helps veterans of any age at risk of institutional placement to continue living in their own homes.
Veterans can choose the services that best meet their needs and manage their spending budgets for personal care services.
Hiring their in-home care aides, including family and friends, falls into that area.
Aid & Attendance or Housebound programs
Veterans who are eligible for a VA pension and need in-home care or are housebound may be able to receive additional benefits payments in addition to their monthly pension.
Note: Veterans cannot receive both Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits simultaneously.
Contact the local VA regional benefits office to find out how to apply for veterans' benefits programs.
Recommended for you:
- Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs
- How Seniors Can Get Help Paying for Prescription Drugs
- The Ultimate Guide to Senior Veterans Benefits
About the Author
Connie Chow
Connie was a hands-on caregiver for her grandmother for 20 years. (Grandma made it to 101 years old!) She knows how challenging, overwhelming, and all-consuming caring for an older adult can be. She also knows how important support is — especially in the form of practical solutions, valuable resources, and self-care tips.
thanks to share
You’re welcome, so glad this was helpful
My father is blind and living on his own. He is at the point where he is no longer able to live on his own and care for himself, he is losing balance, etc. He wants to stay in his home and not go to an assisted living place. He is considered disabled, due to his eye site deficiency, but we have not applied for that status. He is a veteran, but does not receive a pension, so he does not qualify for some programs there. He makes too much to qualify for Medicaid, but I heard that there is a program that will pay family members to help him out without him through the state.
Where would I find information and what do I need to have him apply for to get this program going?
We hope the links in the above article can help you find programs in your father’s state that will pay family members for helping him.
You may also want to contact the local Area Agency on Aging to find out if they know of any other programs that might provide financial assistance. More info here – Area Agency on Aging: Resources for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
There might also be additional benefits programs that could help with expenses – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
is getting paid for caring for a family member retroactive?; my sis is my caregiver starting in aug 2020 til present.
Each program is different, so it’s best to contact the program in your area to find out more.
I’m wondering if it’s an option to be a care giver for my cousin who is getting ready to go through some very intense cancer treatments? I live in a different state. She will, basically, be heavily medicated through this process and needs home care and transportation to and from her treatments.
That will really depend on the state’s program. The best thing to do would be to contact them directly.
I’m personally disabled for going on 9 years now. My mother was on was on hospice for a year. She has severe copd and is terminally I’ll. I run her to all her appointments, cook,clean and do her laundry. I can’t afford any of this. I need financial help for caring for her.
We hope the information and links in the above article can help you find programs in your area that pay family caregivers for their work.
You may also want to contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if they know of any other programs that might be helpful. More info here – Area Agency on Aging: Resources for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
And there might be additional benefits programs that could help with expenses – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
I help my mom she has stage 4 copd she is 64 she is home bound cannot walk fare with out a breathing attack I run for her I cook for her I do everything for her including giving her medicine every day I do not have a job my job is helping her every day what are my options
We hope the information and links in the above article can help you find programs in your area that pay family caregivers for their work.
You may want to contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if they know of any other programs that might be helpful. More info here – Area Agency on Aging: Resources for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
And, you might find additional benefits programs that could help with expenses – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
I’m wondering if my husband can get paid to be my care give after an auto accident left me paralyzed from waist down while he draws SSDI we’re both under 50.
We hope the information and links in the above article can help you find programs in your area that pay family caregivers for their work.
In addition to the links above, you might find additional benefits programs that could help with expenses – Find Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, and Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/find-financial-help-for-seniors-federal-state-and-private-benefits-programs/
In March 2021 my best friend of 45 yrs was placed under hospice care at home. so i walked away from a abusive relationship of 25 yrs and moved in with Debbie, i made sure every night before she fell asleep it was my face she saw and when she woke up it was my face.she didnt have any family i told her she wouldnt Die without me and she didnt. she passed on April 20, 2021. And i would do it again. Except that i was approached by a mutual friend who needed a live in care giver because he had a couple of heart attacks and lived alone in a 2 bd apartment. his offer was I pay $500.00 a mo rent. i could work during the day he really needed me at night. his insurance would cover and what wasnt covered his VA would pick up. so i took the offer and i moved in on may 1st. Ive pd rent until july 1st 2021 because he hasnt given me a penny. i havent been paid and have been taking care of him , hid huge dog and house keeping 24 hrs a day since. please help me
It’s wonderful that you cared for your best friend until her passing. We’re very sorry for your loss.
It sounds like this is a private and informal agreement, so you would need to have a conversation with your friend about the lack of payment. If you can’t reach an agreement about the back pay and the future pay, you may want to consider making a change like moving out.
Hi, my husband has myotonic dystrophy (an adult form of muscular dystrophy) and I am his sole caregiver. In the state of Georgia spouses do not qualify to be caregivers so I have to work outside the home in order to make ends meet. I worry when I am away that he will fall and really injure himself severely.
The state says they do not pay spouses because it is considered our responsibility to take care of our spouse already.
Are there any monetary programs with the state of Georgia (or the Feds) that I can look into so that I might be able to stay with him full time?
So sorry to hear that spousal caregivers don’t qualify to be paid as caregivers from these programs.
You may want to contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if they know of any other programs that might be helpful. More info here – Area Agency on Aging: Resources for Seniors https://dailycaring.com/local-community-resources-for-seniors-and-caregivers-area-agency-on-aging/
You may also be eligible for government assistance programs that help pay for household and caregiving costs. More info here – Financial Help for Seniors: 2,500+ Federal, State, & Private Benefits Programs https://dailycaring.com/financial-help-caregiving-expenses/
I receive income for taking care of my uncle through his Medicaid and I am his payee. My nephew is about to be released from prison and will parole to my house. Will I still get paid if a felon is staying with me.
Every program has different rules, so it’s best to contact the program office to find out if your nephew living with you will affect your payments.
Hi Melissa. My husband too have myotonic dystrophy. Thank you for sharing your story because your plight will have me to start looking into how I will take care of my husband as his condition worsens. I hope you do find a program that will help you. We live in Florida, so I will start to look for programs from now.
Thank you and good luck. Best wishes to you and your husband.