Medicaid for family caregivers, state by state

In many states, Medicaid can pay you to care for someone you love — at home. What's available depends on where you live. Find your state's guide to what's covered, who qualifies, and how to get paid.
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In this hub
  1. ↓ State-specific Medicaid Guides
  2. ↓ Why Families use Givers
  3. ↓ Common Medicaid Questions
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Can Medicaid pay you to care for a loved one?

Yes — in many states, Medicaid will pay a family member or close friend to provide care at home, instead of paying for a nursing home or facility. It usually works through one of three paths: Structured Family Caregiving (an agency-supported tax-free daily stipend, where the caregiver lives with the person), personal care services (an agency-support hourly rate), or self direction (a direct employer model with admin work on the family). Which programs exist, what they're called, and how much they pay depend on your state.

Get paid

A stipend or hourly rate, through Medicaid.

Get supported

A care team — nurse + coach.

Stay home

Your loved one stays with family.

Find your state’s Medicaid guide

Alabama Medicaid Guide →Alaska Medicaid Guide →Arizona Medicaid Guide →Arkansas Medicaid Guide →California Medicaid Guide →Colorado Medicaid Guide →Connecticut Medicaid Guide →Delaware Medicaid Guide →Florida Medicaid Guide →Georgia Medicaid Guide →Hawaii Medicaid Guide →Idaho Medicaid Guide →Illinois Medicaid Guide →Indiana Medicaid Guide →Iowa Medicaid Guide →Kansas Medicaid Guide →Kentucky Medicaid Guide →Louisiana Medicaid Guide →Maine Medicaid Guide →Maryland Medicaid Guide →Massachusetts Medicaid Guide →Michigan Medicaid Guide →Minnesota Medicaid Guide →Mississippi Medicaid Guide →Missouri Medicaid Guide →
Montana Medicaid Guide →Nebraska Medicaid Guide →Nevada Medicaid Guide →New Hampshire Medicaid Guide →New Jersey Medicaid Guide →New Mexico Medicaid Guide →New York Medicaid Guide →North Carolina Medicaid Guide →North Dakota Medicaid Guide →Ohio Medicaid Guide →Oklahoma Medicaid Guide →Oregon Medicaid Guide →Pennsylvania Medicaid Guide →Rhode Island Medicaid Guide →South Carolina Medicaid Guide →South Dakota Medicaid Guide →Tennessee Medicaid Guide →Texas Medicaid Guide →Utah Medicaid Guide →Vermont Medicaid Guide →Virginia Medicaid Guide →Washington Medicaid Guide →West Virginia Medicaid Guide →Wisconsin Medicaid Guide →Wyoming Medicaid Guide →

What's in each state guide

  • Programs that can pay family caregivers
  • What Medicaid covers
  • Who qualifies
  • How to apply
  • How to renew

Why families use Givers to navigate Medicaid

  • You’re not doing this alone — a community + a team that has your back.
  • We handle the hard part — no government portals, no guesswork; we help with enrollment and paperwork.
  • Support that doesn’t stop — ongoing coaching, training, quick answers.
  • Built on trust — SOC2 · HIPAA compliant.

Common questions about Medicaid and getting paid as a caregiver

Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver through Medicaid?
Yes. Family caregivers can get paid through Medicaid self-directed care programs. Medicaid recipients choose who provides care, often a friend or adult relatives. Each state has its own program with different requirements regarding spouses, eligibility, and pay rate.
Does Medicaid pay family caregivers in every state?
Yes. All 50 states can pay family caregivers through Medicaid state plans or waivers. However, caregivers must meet different state-specific eligibility requirements. 
What is Structured Family Caregiving?
Medicaid’s Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) supports live-in caregivers for aging adults, disabled individuals and people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. SFC also provides training, respite care, and other support.
How much can you get paid as a family caregiver?
Each state program varies in caregiver pay, ranging from $16 to $28 per hour in 2026. Some programs offer tax-free payments, and states with a higher cost of living often pay higher rates. Pay differs between managed care plans, agencies, and direct pay. See how much you can get paid to be a caregiver in your state.
Does getting paid as a caregiver count towards my own Medicaid work requirements?
Caregiving hours may count towards Medicaid 80-hour work requirements if the care recipient is enrolled in Medicaid long-term care, receives Social Security Disability, and/or is legally classified as disabled under the state program. Recording legal disability status will expedite approval of the caregiver exemption.
Can a spouse be a paid caregiver?
It depends on your state. Some states will pay a live-in spouse who is a family caregiver through the Structured Family Caregiving program, and there’s a movement to include spouses in more Medicaid compensation programs.
What is Medicaid, and who qualifies?
Federal and state Medicaid programs support qualified low-income Americans by providing affordable healthcare coverage. Medicaid also serves people with disabilities and low-income caregivers and seniors. Benefits include hospital services, periodic screenings, home health assistance, doctor appointments, lab work and other services.
Is Givers free? / Is Givers legit?
Givers is a legit caregiver financial tool. Givers supports, enrolls and pays family caregivers through state programs in MI, CT, GA, and OH. It is a licensed agency that helps caregivers through the challenging enrollment and documentation process and provides practical coaching and training support.
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Latest News

What's changing with Medicaid

Medicaid rules shift often — here's what's new this year and how it might affect you.

Medicaid Work Rules Start 2027

Starting in 2027, most adults on Medicaid will need to work, go to school, or volunteer for at least 80 hours a month to keep their coverage. If you care for a child or a person with a disability, you may be exempt from this rule, but you will need to provide proof. Call your state Medicaid office soon to find out what to send them.

Caregiver Pay Changes By State

Medicaid funding is changing across the country. Because of this, some states are considering new rules for how much they pay family caregivers. These changes vary by state, and some are not yet final. Check your state's guide to see what's happening where you live.
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