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Getting Paid to Care for a Family Member in Maryland

If you are already caring for an aging parent, a spouse, or a loved one with a disability in Maryland, you may not realize that you could be getting paid for the care you are already providing. Maryland offers several Medicaid programs that allow family caregivers to receive fair compensation for their work, without giving up the personal connection that makes family-centered care so valuable.

This guide explains exactly how family caregivers in Maryland can get paid, which programs are available, how much caregivers earn, and what steps to take to get started.

Can Family Members Get Paid to Provide Care in Maryland?

Yes. 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.

Unlike informal caregivers who receive nothing for their time, 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.

Which Maryland Medicaid Programs Pay Family Caregivers?

Maryland offers several Medicaid program options for paid family caregivers. The right one depends on the care recipient's diagnosis, income, and the level of daily living assistance they require.

1. Community First Choice (CFC)

The Community First Choice program is Maryland's most widely used option for paid family caregivers and one of the most important community-based services available in the state. CFC is a Medicaid State Plan entitlement, meaning there is no waiting list. Any care recipient who meets eligibility requirements is guaranteed enrollment.

Under CFC, the person receiving care can self-direct their services, meaning they choose and hire their own caregiver. That caregiver can be an adult child, a sibling, or even a spouse. The caregiver becomes an employee of a licensed Medicaid Personal Assistance Agency, which handles payroll, tax withholding, and compliance.

CFC covers personal care services, including help with bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility, and meal preparation. It also covers personal assistance with health-related tasks, respite care, assistive technology, and home modifications.

CFC pay rates for family caregivers in Maryland currently range from $15 to $20 per hour, depending on the program, location, and level of care required. Caregivers in metro areas like Baltimore, Silver Spring, and Frederick may earn closer to $18 to $20 per hour. Payments are made by direct deposit on a bi-weekly schedule.

2. Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS)

The Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) program is designed for care recipients who need help with one or two activities of daily living but do not require 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.

CPAS covers personal care, homemaker services, and related support services. Family caregivers registered through CPAS receive the same direct deposit payment structure as CFC caregivers. CPAS is often used alongside CFC for eligible individuals who qualify for both programs.

3. Community Based Options Waiver (CO Waiver)

The Community Based Options Waiver, also called the community options waiver, is a Medicaid waiver for individuals who need nursing home level care but want to remain at home or in a community setting. It covers a broader range of community based services than the state plan options, including adult day care, care management, respite services, and more.

The community options waiver does have a waiting list, unlike CFC and CPAS. Families can contact the local Area Agency on Aging or Maryland Access Point to be added to the services registry. This program is a strong option for older adults transitioning from assisted living facilities or nursing homes back to community based care.

4. Community Pathways Waiver

The Community Pathways Waiver supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to live at home rather than in a facility. As of October 2025, Maryland consolidated its DDA waivers into this unified program. Family caregivers providing personal care services under this waiver can receive financial compensation as part of the self-directed care model.

5. Veteran Caregiver Programs

For care recipients who are disabled veterans or surviving spouses, the VA Veteran-Directed Care program allows veterans to hire their own caregivers, including family members, using a VA-approved care budget. Compensation through this program ranges from $8 to $21 per hour. Additional VA benefits such as Aid and Attendance may also help offset caregiving costs.

How Much You Earn and Who Qualifies

How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid 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.

According to Indeed's 2026 salary data, the average hourly rate for caregivers across Maryland is $17.71 per hour. Caregivers in Maryland can earn up to $2,938 per month through Medicaid waiver programs, depending on the number of authorized hours.

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.

Who Qualifies to Be a Paid Caregiver in Maryland?

Both the care recipient and the caregiver must meet eligibility requirements to participate in Maryland's paid caregiver programs.

Care Recipient Eligibility

• Must have active Maryland Medicaid
• Must need help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, or mobility
• For CFC: must require nursing home level of care. For CPAS: must need assistance with at least one activity of daily living. For the community options waiver: must require nursing home level care and be age 18 or older.
• Must reside in their own home, the home of a family member, or another approved community setting, not in assisted living facilities or nursing home placements

Caregiver Eligibility

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Must complete required caregiver training
• Must be employed through a licensed Medicaid Personal Assistance Agency
• Cannot be the legal guardian of the care recipient or serve as their program representative
• Certain family members including adult children, siblings, and spouses are eligible under CFC and CPAS

Note: Some programs restrict certain family members in certain circumstances. Spouses, for example, were traditionally excluded from paid caregiver roles under many state programs, but Maryland's CFC and CPAS programs explicitly allow spouses to serve as paid caregivers. Parents of minor children 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.

Will the Government Pay You to Be a Caregiver for Your Parents?

Yes, in Maryland the government can pay you to care for your parents through Medicaid. If your parent has active Maryland Medicaid and needs help with daily living activities, you may qualify as a paid caregiver under the Community First Choice program or CPAS. There is no waiting list for either program, meaning eligible individuals can begin receiving services relatively quickly.

The key requirements are that your parent must need help with activities of daily living, must meet Maryland Medicaid financial eligibility, and you as the caregiver must be at least 18 years old, pass a background check, and register through a licensed agency.

To start the process, contact Maryland Access Point at 844-627-5465 or reach out to a licensed home care agency like Family Love Care that specializes in Medicaid enrollment.

Can a Spouse Get Paid to Be a Caregiver in Maryland?

Yes. Unlike many other states, Maryland explicitly allows spouses to serve as paid caregivers under both the Community First Choice and CPAS programs. This is one of the most significant advantages of Maryland's caregiver support structure compared to other states.

Under the self-directed model, the care recipient hires their spouse as a paid personal care provider. The spouse must meet the same eligibility requirements as any other caregiver, including completing a background check and being employed through a licensed Medicaid agency. A fiscal intermediary handles the financial management aspects, including tax withholding and direct deposit payments.

Financial Eligibility for Maryland Medicaid

To receive services through any of Maryland's paid caregiver programs, the care recipient must first qualify for Maryland Medicaid. The following 2026 income and asset limits apply:

• Income limit (single applicant): $350 per month
• Income limit (married couple, both applying): $392 per month combined
• Asset limit (single applicant): $2,500 in countable assets
• Home equity exemption: home is exempt if equity is $1,130,000 or under and the applicant or spouse resides there
• Individuals receiving SSI automatically qualify for Maryland Medicaid

Individuals who are above the income limit may still qualify through Maryland's Medically Needy Spend-Down program, which allows applicants to reduce countable income by deducting medical expenses. This is worth exploring with the Maryland Department of Health or a Medicaid planning advisor.

Additional Caregiver Support in Maryland

Beyond direct caregiver pay, Maryland offers additional resources to support family caregivers in their caregiving journey.

Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program

Administered by the Department of Aging, the Maryland Family Caregiver Support Program provides grants to help cover out-of-pocket caregiving expenses such as respite care, home modifications, and assistive technology. This program is available through local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and local agencies on aging statewide.

Respite Care Services

Many Maryland Medicaid programs include respite care or respite services as a covered benefit. Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers, allowing family caregivers to take a break while ensuring the care recipient continues to receive quality personal care services. Contact your local disability resource center or Area Agency on Aging to learn what respite services are available in your county.

Support Groups and Caregiver Support Programs

Organizations like the Family Caregiver Alliance and the National Alliance for Caregiving offer caregiver support resources, support groups, and online tools to help informal caregivers and paid family caregivers navigate their roles. These are valuable resources for caregivers who are experiencing burnout or facing challenges with care management.

How to Become a Paid Caregiver: Step by Step

Here is a step-by-step overview of how to get started as a paid caregiver in Maryland:

1. Confirm Medicaid eligibility. The care recipient must have active Maryland Medicaid or must apply for it. Contact the Maryland Department of Health or a licensed agency for help.
2. Contact Maryland Access Point (MAP). MAP is the state's entry point for long-term care services. Call 844-627-5465 to begin the assessment and program matching process.
3. Complete a clinical needs assessment. A health professional will determine whether the care recipient requires assistance with activities of daily living and whether they meet the level of care requirement for the relevant program.
4. Choose a licensed Medicaid Personal Assistance Agency. The caregiver must be employed through a licensed agency, which handles payroll, compliance documentation, and tax withholding.
5. Complete caregiver eligibility requirements. This includes a background check, required training, and enrollment in the agency's system.
6. Develop a care plan. A care coordinator or supports planner will work with the family to create a plan that outlines authorized services and hours.
7. Begin providing care and receiving payment. Once enrollment is complete, the caregiver begins tracking hours and receiving direct deposit payments on a bi-weekly basis.

How Family Love Care Can Help

At familylovecare.com, we specialize in helping Maryland families navigate the paid caregiver enrollment process from start to finish. We work with family caregivers in Maryland across the CFC, CPAS, and Community Pathways Waiver programs, managing the paperwork, compliance requirements, and ongoing caregiver support so families can focus on what matters most.

Whether you are just starting to explore your options or are ready to enroll, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process. Reach out to us today to learn how you can get paid to care for the family member you already love.