Care from Someone You Trust — Paid Through Maryland Medicaid
If you are already caring for an aging parent, a spouse, or a loved one with a disability in Maryland, you could be getting paid for the care you are already providing. Family Love Care helps families enroll, handles the paperwork, and manages payroll — so you can focus on caring.
Licensed as a residential service agency by the Maryland Department of Health — and earned a 4.8 star rating on Google
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Overview
Yes — Family Members Can Be Paid Caregivers in Maryland
Maryland is one of the states that explicitly allows paid family caregivers through its Medicaid programs. Whether you are an adult child caring for an elderly parent, a sibling supporting a family member with a developmental disability, or even a spouse helping a partner with daily living tasks, there are programs designed to provide financial compensation for that care.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, the state has over 790,000 unpaid caregivers providing billions of dollars of care annually without financial assistance. Medicaid programs exist specifically to change that.
Registered paid caregivers receive direct deposit payments, access to caregiver support services, and the stability that comes with being part of a formal care structure.
Programs
Two Programs with No Waiting List
The right option depends on the care recipient's diagnosis, income, and the level of daily living assistance they require.
Community First Choice (CFC)
Maryland's most widely used option for paid family caregivers. CFC is a Medicaid State Plan entitlement, meaning there is no waiting list — any care recipient who meets eligibility requirements is guaranteed enrollment. The person receiving care chooses and hires their own caregiver, who can be an adult child, a sibling, or even a spouse.
Covers personal care — bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility, and meal preparation — plus health-related tasks, respite care, assistive technology, and home modifications.
Learn more about CFCCommunity Personal Assistance Services (CPAS)
Designed for care recipients who need help with one or two activities of daily living but do not require a nursing home level of care. Like CFC, CPAS has no waiting list and allows consumer-directed services, including the option to hire family members and spouses as paid caregivers.
Covers personal care, homemaker services, and related support services, with the same direct deposit payment structure as CFC.
Learn more about CPASFor families who need a broader range of community-based services, Maryland also offers the Community Based Options Waiver — note that unlike CFC and CPAS, it does have a waiting list.
Who Can Be Paid
Family and Friends Who Can Become Paid Caregivers
Under Maryland's self-directed model, the care recipient chooses and hires their own caregiver. The caregiver becomes an employee of a licensed Medicaid Personal Assistance Agency, which handles payroll, tax withholding, and compliance.
- Adult children caring for a parent
- Siblings supporting a family member
- Spouses — Maryland explicitly allows spouses as paid caregivers under CFC and CPAS, unlike many other states
- Friends and other trusted caregivers chosen by the care recipient
Caregiver requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Pass a criminal background check
- Complete required caregiver training
- Be employed through a licensed Medicaid Personal Assistance Agency
- Not be the care recipient's legal guardian or program representative
Parents generally cannot be paid to care for their own children under 18 in most programs. It is important to confirm eligibility through your local agency or Maryland Access Point.
Who Qualifies
Care Recipient Eligibility
Pay & Payments
How Much Family Caregivers Earn in Maryland
Family caregivers in Maryland earn between $15 and $20 per hour through Medicaid programs, with an average of approximately $17.50 per hour statewide. In cities like Baltimore, caregivers may earn $18 to $20 per hour depending on experience and care level.
Pay rates are determined by the Medicaid program, the care plan hours approved by the Maryland Department of Health, and the agency through which the caregiver is registered. Payments are sent by direct deposit, typically on a bi-weekly basis.
How It Works
From First Call to First Paycheck
Confirm Medicaid eligibility
The care recipient must have active Maryland Medicaid or apply for it. We help you check and get started.
Choose the right program
We help determine whether CFC or CPAS fits your family's situation.
Complete enrollment and paperwork
We guide you through every form and the state assessment process.
Caregiver onboarding
Background check and required training, handled with our support.
Start providing care — and get paid
Bi-weekly payments by direct deposit for the care you are already providing.
Why Families Choose Family Love Care
Family Love Care is a licensed home care agency that specializes in Medicaid enrollment. We handle the process end to end — eligibility, paperwork, onboarding, and payroll — so becoming a paid family caregiver is as simple as possible.
4.8400+ reviewsFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about becoming a paid family or friend caregiver in Maryland
Care for a Loved one —
And get paid!
With Family Love Care, you can get paid to care for a family member or friend!
Paid by Medicaid!
Contact Us to Learn More
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Your data is secure, private, and HIPAA compliant.