How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver

If you are caring for an aging parent, spouse, or loved one, you may have wondered whether there is a way to get paid for the time and energy you provide every day. The short answer is, yes. However, understanding the eligibility requirements, qualifications, and application procedures for these benefits can be confusing.

In all 50 states, there is some form of a Medicaid-funded program that pays for a caregiver. In many cases, seniors are able to direct their own care and select who they would like to be paid as their caregiver. However, not everyone who receives Medicaid qualifies.

When families begin researching how Medicaid compensates caregivers, they may find articles about the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program. This is a state-funded Medicaid system, but it is only available in New York. CDPAP allows seniors to choose who provides their care. Selected caregivers can include anyone over the age of 21, that is not the beneficiary’s spouse or parent.

For seniors to qualify they must:

While Florida does not offer CDPAP, the state’s Medicaid Long-Term Care program does offer a plan called Participant Directed Option (PDO). This allows eligible participants to have more control over their own care.

Like CDPAP, recipients are in control over hiring, training, and time sheets for their caregiver. The senior receiving care is considered the employer, and their caregiver is a direct service worker. Based on the type of package provided by the personal LTC plan, the caregiver’s basic pay usually begins at $15 per hour.

Primarily, you need to clarify if your loved one has Medicaid.

Before you begin the application process, you must determine the recipient and caregiver’s eligibility status.

There are minimal criteria requirements on who can be your loved one’s caregiver. It can be a friend, neighbor, family member, spouse; anyone is eligible if they are 18 years of age. However, it is recommended to have your caregiver trained in CPR and First Aid certifications. If your parents’ plan includes intermittent or skilled nursing, it’s highly suggested that the caregiver selected is a registered or licensed practical nurse.

All direct service workers must pass a background screening to help ensure the safety of seniors in Florida. Even if it is a family member, security screening procedures are obligatory. LTC plans cover the cost of one background check every year and caregivers are required to pass a new screening every five years.

Even when families might believe PDO would be a good fit, it is important to also determine your loved one’s qualifications. Because PDO is a Medicaid program, certain requirements must be met. Understanding common barriers ahead of time can help you better prepare for the application process.

Common problems families face struggling to access PDO include:

Choosing PDO is more than selecting a caregiver. The program includes several planning steps to ensure participants receive the support they need. It also comes with responsibilities and limitations that should be carefully considered.

Enrollment in Florida’s Medicaid Waiver Long-Term Care Plan is needed for PDO. If your loved one currently is not enrolled, navigating exactly how to get through this process as a family by yourself often is challenging. Care planners (see below), specialize in helping families by acting as a support system through this process.

To begin the application process for Florida’s Medicaid Waiver Long-Term Care Plan, candidates must require nursing home level of care to be eligible. To establish if this is met, they must undergo a Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services Program. They consider the applicant’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), as well as any cognitive conditions or diseases that may affect their ability to function independently.

Then, contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center for an over the phone pre-screening.

PDO is a needs-based program. Therefore, the applicant receives a priority score based on health, not order placement on the waitlist. Your loved one’s personalized LTC plan is centered off these assessments.

Care plans that are covered by PDO include:

Confused on where to apply for the waiver? Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337, to find the best place to start.

You can hire a professional Medical Planner to ensure you are following the best steps for your family. Care Planner’s specialize in helping with Medicaid program requirements, paperwork, and advocating for seniors during the application and approval progress.

Often when you do not financially qualify for PDO or Medicaid, these planners can help strategize ways to work around this, while still protecting your assets. From Elder Law Attorneys to Case Managers, there are a variety of planner options for your parents.

If you’re looking for a free care planner resource, the American Council on Aging provides options to help you find the most beneficial Medicaid Planners.

To discover additional resources on how to best use PDO, you can locate PDO manuals, caregiver interview questions, and time sheet examples on the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration .

Another program often mentioned alongside PDO is Consumer-Directed Care Plus (CDC+). While both offer participants greater control over their care, the programs are not interchangeable and have distinct purposes.

CDC+ is a better fit for adults who are disabled that want increased management over their care but can be more involved compared to a senior. There is extensive paperwork to complete combined with employee management tasks for the beneficiary to control. For many families, PDO serves as a more practical option for senior care.

If you feel like Medicaid program options are not the answer to your family’s needs, there are other directions you can choose. If your loved one needs care sooner or requires a different level of support, here are three alternatives.

With in-home care, seniors can maintain their independence while receiving personalized, one-on-one support in an environment they know and love. Care schedules are tailored to fit your family's needs, whether that means limited hours of help each week or around-the-clock care. For families who need to arrange care quickly or who do not qualify for Medicaid programs like PDO, private-pay in-home care can provide a flexible solution without the wait associated with the lengthy application and approval processes.

Another alternative route is an assisted living community. If your parents need daily support and social engagement, this could serve as a better fit. Assisted living takes the stress off your family by managing meals, housing, grooming, and any help your loved one may need.

However, moving out of a long-time home can sometimes be stressful for seniors. Trying to adapt to an unfamiliar environment is emotionally difficult, rather than beneficial. Assisted living options can also be expensive, and it is difficult to find the right community exactly catering to your needs.

If you are currently your loved one’s caregiver, you can continue this without receiving any compensation. While this allows your parents to stay in a familiar and comfortable environment, you must consider how this choice weighs on your family. Without formal support, constant care can be financially, emotionally, and physically draining.

We understand that every family has unique and important care needs and finding the right support can feel overwhelming. That is why we only refer the best caregivers to provide the personalized care your loved one deserves. We believe seniors can age comfortably in place, while keeping independence and confidence a priority. Call today to schedule your free care assessment.