Get Paid to Care for a Family Member or Friend in Pennsylvania

If you already help a parent, adult child, relative, friend, or neighbor at home, you may be able to get paid for that care through a Pennsylvania long-term care program. The person you care for must qualify, and the care must be approved.

All American Home Care guides you through the process. We screen your situation and explain the program. We also help with caregiver screening, paperwork, required training, onboarding, and ongoing care.

Check My Eligibility Talk to a Care Specialist
How paid family caregiving works
1. Someone needs help at home The care recipient qualifies for the program
2. The program authorizes services Care is assessed and written into a care plan
3. A qualified caregiver is onboarded Family, friend, or neighbor, if they meet the worker rules
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Support From a Pennsylvania Home Care Team

  • Pennsylvania Medicaid / Community HealthChoices Guidance
  • Initial Eligibility Screening & Next-Step Guidance
  • Caregiver Screening, Onboarding & Training
  • Ongoing Care Coordination & Support

Looking for a Specific Answer?

Who qualifies to become a paid caregiver? Who can be the caregiver: family member, friend, or neighbor? How much can a caregiver get paid in Pennsylvania? What kinds of daily-care tasks can be authorized? How do I get started?

Can You Get Paid to Care for a Family Member or Friend in Pennsylvania?

Yes. In some situations, a family member, friend, or neighbor can be paid to provide approved care at home in Pennsylvania. For many adults, the main Medicaid long-term care pathway is Community HealthChoices (CHC).

If the person qualifies for CHC home and community-based services, the care plan may include Personal Assistance Services (PAS). These services can sometimes be provided by a qualified person the participant already knows. The exact option depends on the CHC plan, the approved care plan, and the caregiver's qualifications.

All American stays with you through the process. We start with a simple screening and help gather the needed information. We also handle agency-side caregiver screening, onboarding, and required training. Pennsylvania Medicaid and the CHC plan make the final eligibility and service-authorization decisions.

Check My Eligibility
1
Eligible person needs help at home
The care recipient qualifies for Pennsylvania long-term care services.
2
Program authorizes services
Personal Assistance Services are added to the approved care plan.
3
Qualified caregiver is selected and onboarded
A family member, friend, or neighbor who meets the worker rules.

Who Qualifies for Paid Family or Friend Caregiving in Pennsylvania?

Two things must line up: the person receiving care must qualify for the program and approved services, and the caregiver must meet the worker rules.

Care Recipient Requirements

  • Usually be age 21 or older for the Community HealthChoices (CHC) home and community-based services pathway.
  • Qualify for Pennsylvania Medicaid / Medical Assistance, and for long-term services and supports under the applicable program.
  • Meet the required level-of-care and functional rules for care at home.
  • Have an approved person-centered service plan that includes Personal Assistance Services or another covered service.
  • Need care that is actually authorized. Informal help from a family member or friend does not by itself create a right to payment.

Caregiver Requirements

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have an eligible relationship to the care recipient. Many relatives, friends, and neighbors can qualify, but some roles are excluded.
  • Complete required training and show they can provide the approved care safely.
  • Pass required criminal-history screening and any applicable child-abuse clearance.
  • Complete required employment or provider paperwork, and follow the approved schedule, documentation, timekeeping, and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) rules when required.

All American guides the caregiver through screening, clearances, paperwork, training, and onboarding. We make each step easier to understand and complete.

Who Can Be a Paid Caregiver in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania CHC rules allow many qualified relatives and non-relatives to provide approved Personal Assistance Services. The exact arrangement depends on the care plan, CHC plan, and worker qualifications.

Adult Child
May qualify if the participant and caregiver meet the program and worker requirements.
Other Relative
Siblings, parents of adults, grandchildren, and other relatives may qualify if they meet the requirements.
Friend or Neighbor
May be selected as a paid worker if the person is qualified and approved for the authorized service model.
Not eligible under CHC

Spouse

A spouse cannot be paid for Personal Assistance Services, Respite, or Participant-Directed Community Supports under the CHC Waiver.

Not eligible under CHC

Legal Guardian / Representative Payee / Power of Attorney

Under CHC rules, a legal guardian, representative payee, or person with power of attorney cannot be paid to provide these covered services.

All American can check the caregiver relationship early, explain any restrictions, and guide eligible caregivers through the next steps.

How Much Can a Family Caregiver Get Paid in Pennsylvania?

There is no single statewide wage for every family caregiver in Pennsylvania. Pay can vary based on the service model, provider or CHC arrangement, approved hours, type of care, caregiver qualifications, and other program rules.

Example only
Example Rate$15/hour*
Example Authorized Hours30 hours/week*
Illustrative Pay~$450/week
~$1,950/month*
Rates vary. *Planning example before taxes. Actual hours and pay may be different and depend on the approved care plan.

All American will explain the pay structure that applies to your approved arrangement before care begins.

See If I Qualify

What Kind of Care Can Be Authorized?

Paid caregiving is tied to care that is assessed, approved, and included in the participant's care plan. Personal Assistance Services can include hands-on help, reminders, cueing, and supervision with daily activities.

Bathing and personal hygiene
Dressing and grooming
Eating and meal-related assistance
Toileting
Mobility, transfers, and getting in or out of bed or a chair
Approved household or community support tied to the participant's needs

Not every household task or hour of informal care is payable. The task and the time must be approved in the care plan. All American helps the caregiver understand the approved care plan, document care, use required timekeeping or EVV, and know when to contact the care team.

How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Pennsylvania

1
Check Eligibility
Tell us who you care for, what help they need, whether they receive Pennsylvania Medicaid / Medical Assistance, and where they live. We start with a simple screening and explain the most likely next step.
2
Complete the Program and Caregiver Requirements
The care recipient may need an official assessment and service authorization through the state or CHC plan. We guide you through caregiver screening, required clearances, paperwork, onboarding, and training.
3
Start Authorized Care and Get Paid
After approvals and onboarding are complete, we help set up the care and schedule. We also explain timekeeping or EVV and provide ongoing support. Paid hours must match the approved care plan.

Timing varies. It depends on Medicaid/CHC eligibility, assessment, service authorization, plan processing, caregiver clearances, training, and onboarding.

Start My Eligibility Check

Why Choose All American Home Care?

You do not have to figure out the paid-caregiver process on your own. From the first screening through onboarding and ongoing care, All American helps organize the steps and gives you a team to call when you need help.

Initial Screening & Eligibility Guidance

We ask about the person receiving care, Medicaid / CHC status, daily-care needs, location, and caregiver relationship. Then we explain the likely path.

Paperwork & Program Guidance

We explain what information and documents are needed, what All American handles, and which approvals must come from Pennsylvania Medicaid or the CHC plan.

Caregiver Screening & Clearances

We guide eligible caregivers through the required screening, background checks or clearances, employment paperwork, and onboarding steps that apply to the role.

Training & Teaching

We provide required onboarding and training, and teach caregivers to follow the care plan, document care, use timekeeping or EVV, and know when to contact the care team.

Care Setup & Coordination

Once care is approved, we help organize the schedule and services around the participant's authorized needs and care plan.

Ongoing Support

Our support does not stop after enrollment. We stay available for care questions, documentation, schedule changes, and other agency-side needs within our role.

See If You May Qualify

Answer a few quick questions. Our team will review the information, do an initial screening, and explain what comes next. This first screening does not guarantee program approval, approved hours, or caregiver payment.

Who do you care for? *
Who do you care for?
Does the person currently receive Pennsylvania Medicaid / Medical Assistance? *
Pennsylvania Medicaid
Does the person need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, or mobility? *
Daily activities
Please fill all required fields.
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Hear From Pennsylvania Families and Caregivers

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Paid Family Caregiver FAQs in Pennsylvania

Can I get paid to take care of my parent in Pennsylvania?

Possibly. An adult child may be paid if the parent qualifies for the applicable Pennsylvania long-term care program. The care must be approved, and the caregiver must meet the worker rules. All American can screen the situation and guide you through the next steps.

Can a friend or neighbor get paid to provide care in Pennsylvania?

Yes. A qualified friend or neighbor may be selected as a paid personal assistance worker under participant-directed CHC options. The participant and service must meet program rules. All American can help with screening, clearances, onboarding, training, and agency-side paperwork.

Can a spouse get paid as a caregiver through Pennsylvania Community HealthChoices?

No. The CHC Waiver does not pay for the covered personal-assistance-type services when they are furnished by the participant's spouse.

Can a legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney be paid as the caregiver?

Under CHC rules, a legal guardian, representative payee, or person with power of attorney cannot be paid to provide Personal Assistance Services, Respite, or Participant-Directed Community Supports.

Does the person receiving care need Medicaid?

For the CHC Medicaid pathway, the care recipient must meet the Medical Assistance and long-term-care eligibility rules. Pennsylvania also has a state-funded Act 150 program for some adults ages 18-59 with physical disabilities. It may help people who meet nursing-facility level-of-care rules but are financially ineligible for Medicaid. Act 150 has separate rules and may require a copayment.

How much can a family caregiver get paid in Pennsylvania?

There is no single statewide wage for every caregiver. Pay and paid hours depend on the approved service model, care plan, qualifications, and other program rules. The $15-per-hour figure on this page is only a planning example.

What daily activities can be covered?

Approved Personal Assistance Services can cover bathing, hygiene, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility, transfers, reminders, cueing, and supervision. Some household or community tasks may also be covered when they are tied to the person's approved needs. Only approved services and hours are payable.

How do I get started?

Start with a simple screening. All American will ask about the person receiving care, Medicaid / CHC status, daily-care needs, location, and caregiver relationship. We then explain the likely next step and guide you through the process.

How long does it take to become a paid caregiver?

There is no single approval timeline. Timing can depend on Medicaid or CHC enrollment, the assessment, service approval, plan processing, caregiver clearances, training, and onboarding. All American helps you understand what stage you are in and what is still needed.

What if the person I care for does not have Medicaid?

Contact us even if the person does not have Medicaid yet. The next step depends on age, disability, finances, and care needs. It may be a Medicaid / CHC review, the state-funded Act 150 program, private-pay home care, or another funding option. We can help explain where to start.

Find Out If You Can Get Paid to Care for Someone You Know

If you already care for a parent, adult child, relative, friend, or neighbor at home, you do not have to figure out the program alone. The first step is to find out whether the person's needs and coverage may fit a Pennsylvania program that can approve paid in-home care.

Tell us what is happening at home. All American can screen your situation and guide you through the next steps: caregiver requirements, screening, training, onboarding, care setup, and ongoing support.

Check My Eligibility Call 215-278-6025