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Paid Family Caregiver Programs in Delaware

Written & Reviewed by

Analic Mata-Murray
Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Yolanda Taylor
Yolanda Taylor

Senior Healthcare Editor

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Bottom line: Delaware does let some older adults choose a family member as a paid caregiver, but it is not a simple cash check for every family. The main path is Medicaid long-term care through DSHP Plus, where some members can use self-directed home and community-based services. Other Delaware programs can help with attendant care, respite, personal care, or short work leave, but each one has its own rules.

Emergency help now

  • If the senior is in immediate danger, without needed medicine, or unsafe at home, call 911.
  • If you suspect abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, contact Adult Protective Services at 1-888-277-4302 or 711 for Delaware Relay.
  • If the senior needs care fast but is not in immediate danger, call the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 and ask for urgent in-home care options.
  • If the senior already has DSHP Plus, call the health plan and ask for the LTSS case manager today.

Quick help

What you need Best first step What to say
A family member wants to be paid Call ADRC Ask for screening for Medicaid LTSS, self-directed care, and Attendant Services.
Senior is low income and needs daily hands-on help Start Medicaid long-term care Use Delaware ASSIST and ask about level-of-care review.
Senior already has DSHP Plus Call the plan Ask the case manager about self-directed HCBS and family-worker onboarding.
Caregiver still works Check Paid Leave Ask the employer if the worker is covered and how to file a family-care leave claim.
Care is delayed or cut Ask for written notice Then contact the Ombudsman if the issue involves LTSS or home-based care.

Contents

What caregiver pay means in Delaware

In Delaware, “getting paid to care for my parent” usually means the older adult must first qualify for the right care program. Then the care plan must approve the service, the hours, and the worker. The family worker is paid through a formal payroll setup. It is not under-the-table cash.

The strongest path is Medicaid long-term services and supports, often called LTSS. Delaware’s long-term care page says long-term care Medicaid can cover nursing facility care and home and community-based services. For older adults at home, the key question is whether the senior meets the financial rules and the medical level of care.

Delaware’s own caregiver FAQ says some Personal Attendant Services programs let people hire, train, and supervise attendants, including family members and friends. That does not mean every adult child or spouse will be approved. It means the family should ask about the right program names and get a written answer.

For broader Delaware senior benefits, keep this page focused on caregiver pay and use our Delaware senior benefits guide for food, bills, rent, dental, and tax help.

Who may qualify

Rules depend on the program. A senior may be a good fit when they live in Delaware, need help with daily tasks, and meet the program’s financial and medical rules. Daily tasks may include bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, meals, walking, medication reminders, safe supervision, or help leaving a nursing home.

For the Medicaid long-term care path, Delaware’s 2026 SSI-related standards list the long-term care income standard at $2,485 per month for one person and $3,727.50 for a couple. These numbers come from the state’s 2026 income standards. The basic resource rule is often $2,000 for one person, but married cases can be more complex. If income is too high, Delaware may require a Miller Trust before Medicaid can approve long-term care.

The proposed worker also has rules. The state’s Medicaid contract says a self-directed employee must generally be at least 18, have needed skills, have a valid Social Security number, and complete required checks. People listed on the Delaware Adult Abuse Registry, sex offender registry, or excluded provider list cannot provide self-directed HCBS.

Person Can they be paid? Reality check
Adult child Often possible The senior must be in the right program and the child must pass worker rules.
Spouse May be possible Delaware rules mention legally responsible family members, but get case-specific approval in writing.
Friend or neighbor May be possible The person still needs onboarding, training, and time records.
Employer representative Usually no The person managing employer duties should not assume they can also be the paid worker.

Medicaid LTSS with self-directed care

What it helps with: DSHP Plus is Delaware’s Medicaid managed long-term care system for people who need nursing facility care or a home and community-based alternative. It can cover home care, personal care, respite, adult day services, home-delivered meals, minor home modifications, and other supports when approved in the plan of care.

Who may qualify: This is usually the best path for a low-income Delaware senior who needs hands-on help often and may otherwise need nursing home care. Medicare alone does not usually pay a family member for long-term custodial care at home. Medicaid is usually the key.

Family worker rule: Delaware’s self-directed HCBS language allows members to hire people with a close personal relationship, including a family member and, in some cases, a legally responsible family member. This is why an adult child is often the clearest path. A spouse may be possible, but the family should ask the case manager or support broker to confirm the exact case before changing work hours or household finances.

Where to apply: If the senior is not yet approved for long-term care Medicaid, start through Delaware ASSIST and call ADRC. If the senior is already enrolled, call the health plan. Delaware Medicaid contracts with AmeriHealth Caritas, Highmark Health Options, and Delaware First Health. The state’s Medicaid FAQ confirms those managed care plans.

Plan phone script: “My parent has DSHP Plus LTSS. We want to ask about self-directed home and community-based services. Can you connect me with the LTSS case manager and tell me what is needed to hire a family member?”

Reality check: Ask for the hourly rate, approved hours, start date, payroll steps, background-check steps, and backup-care plan. Delaware does not post one simple statewide adult family-caregiver wage on the public pages reviewed for this update.

Attendant Services

What it helps with: Delaware’s Attendant Services program is a self-directed program for people with disabilities who need help with daily living, self-care, or mobility. Services may include help with bathing, dressing, hygiene, meals, shopping, housekeeping, transportation, communication, and moving around.

Who may qualify: The official page says the program is for Delaware residents age 18 and older with disabilities who meet financial and functional criteria. Some older adults may fit this path, especially if they have major physical limits.

Where to apply: Call ADRC and ask whether the senior should be screened for Attendant Services, DSHP Plus LTSS, Personal Care, or more than one program. Our Delaware aging agencies page can help readers understand where ADRC fits in the state aging system.

Phone script: “I care for an older adult in Delaware who needs help with bathing, meals, mobility, and errands. Can you screen us for Attendant Services and tell me whether family hiring is allowed in this case?”

Reality check: Do not assume Attendant Services is faster than Medicaid or that it has open capacity. Ask if there is a wait, whether Medicaid is required, and whether a family member can be hired for the senior’s exact situation.

Respite and personal care

Some Delaware help will not put a family member on weekly payroll. It can still keep the senior safe and give the caregiver breathing room.

Personal care: Delaware’s Personal Care service helps people who need help at home or outside the home because of illness or disability. It is meant to help people keep living independently. Ask whether the service would be agency-directed or self-directed in your case.

Respite: Delaware’s Respite Care program gives caregivers a break. It may be regular, such as once a week, or from time to time. This is not the same as ongoing caregiver wages, but it may help while a Medicaid case is pending.

Lifespan Respite: The Lifespan Respite program provides respite vouchers to eligible caregivers. The care recipient cannot already be receiving some other services, such as Medicaid managed care, hospice, DDDS, or Veterans Affairs care, so families should ask before counting on it.

Reality check: If the senior already has DSHP Plus, ask the plan about respite or personal care inside the care plan first. If the caregiver needs a break but the family also needs pay, use respite as a bridge, not as the whole plan. For more general caregiver relief ideas, see our respite care guide before calling.

What it helps with: Delaware Paid Leave is a wage-replacement program for covered workers. It is not a home-care program. It can help a working adult child or spouse take time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Who may qualify: Delaware says a worker generally must have been employed for at least one year and worked at least 1,250 hours with a single employer. If approved, the worker may receive up to 80% of wages, up to $900 per week. Family caregiver leave is up to six weeks every 24 months. Claims started on 1 January 2026.

Where to apply: Workers can use the claimant hub, but they should first ask their employer whether the employer uses the state plan or a private approved plan.

Employer phone script: “I need time off to care for a family member with a serious health condition. Is our workplace covered by Delaware Paid Leave, and do I file through the state system or a private plan?”

Reality check: This is short-term work leave. It will not pay a retired caregiver, an unemployed caregiver, or someone who wants long-term weekly caregiving wages. It can help during a hospital discharge, Medicaid application, or sudden decline.

PACE and nursing-home transition help

PACE can be useful for some older adults, but it is not usually a paid-family-caregiver program. PACE is a full care model for people age 55 or older who need nursing home level of care and can live safely in the community with support. Delaware’s state PACE page still says DMMA is developing PACE, but Saint Francis LIFE now lists active Delaware LIFE centers and service-area details.

Who may qualify: Saint Francis LIFE says a person may qualify if they are 55 or older, live in a service-area ZIP code, have been assessed by the state as needing nursing home care, and can live safely at home with services. Families in New Castle County and nearby ZIP codes should check the current service area.

Reality check: PACE may reduce the amount of separate care the family has to arrange. It does not mean the adult child or spouse will be paid as the caregiver. Ask PACE staff how home care is staffed and whether family caregivers have any formal role.

If the senior is in a nursing facility and wants to come home, ask DSHP Plus about transition help and self-directed care. Our Delaware assisted living guide may also help if the family is comparing home care, assisted living, and nursing home options.

How to start without wasting time

  1. Write down the care problem. List what the senior cannot do safely alone: bathing, dressing, meals, toileting, transfers, walking, memory support, medicines, or overnight safety.
  2. Call ADRC first. Say you need screening for Medicaid LTSS, Attendant Services, Personal Care, respite, and caregiver support.
  3. Start the Medicaid side early. Financial review can slow things down. Use ASSIST and keep copies of everything submitted.
  4. Use the right terms. Say “DSHP Plus LTSS,” “self-directed HCBS,” “Attendant Services,” and “family member as worker.” Do not only ask for “caregiver pay.”
  5. Ask for written next steps. Ask who owns the financial review, medical level-of-care review, care plan, worker onboarding, and payroll setup.

ADRC phone script: “My parent lives in Delaware and needs daily help at home. We want to know if a family caregiver can be paid. Please screen us for DSHP Plus LTSS, self-directed HCBS, Attendant Services, Personal Care, respite, and any local caregiver support.”

If the family is confused by ASSIST, our Delaware benefits portal guide can help with the online starting point.

Documents checklist

Gather this Why it matters
Photo ID, Social Security number, birth date Needed for Medicaid, identity, and worker records.
Proof of Delaware address Shows state residency.
Medicare and Medicaid cards Shows current coverage and which plan to call.
Income proof Social Security, pension, annuity, wages, and other income may be reviewed.
Asset records Bank statements, life insurance, burial accounts, and other resources may matter.
Medical records Helps show daily care needs and level-of-care need.
Power of attorney papers Needed if someone else speaks for the senior.
Proposed worker details Name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact details may be needed.
Care log A simple two-week log can show how much help is needed each day.

Best option by situation

Situation Best Delaware path Why
Low-income senior needs daily hands-on help DSHP Plus LTSS Main path for self-directed paid care.
Senior already has DSHP Plus Plan case manager The care plan may be changed without starting over.
Senior has a physical disability Attendant Services May allow self-directed attendants.
Caregiver needs a break Respite or Lifespan Respite Not wages, but can prevent burnout.
Caregiver still works Delaware Paid Leave May replace some wages for a short leave.
Senior is a veteran ADRC and veteran office VA-related support can affect respite and care planning.

For veteran households, our Delaware veteran benefits guide can help the family check veteran-specific options without mixing them up with Medicaid rules.

Reality checks and mistakes to avoid

  • Do not confuse Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare may cover short skilled care after a hospital stay, but it usually does not pay a family member for long-term daily care.
  • Do not quit work too soon. Wait until the rate, approved hours, payroll start date, and worker approval are confirmed.
  • Do not assume spouse pay. Ask for case-specific approval in writing.
  • Do not use child-program rules for adult senior care. Some Delaware rules about parents and 40-hour limits are for children’s self-directed attendant care, not always the adult LTSS path.
  • Do not ignore backup care. Self-direction often requires a backup plan if the family worker is sick or cannot come.
  • Do not skip tax questions. Ask the fiscal or payroll agent how wages will be reported. The IRS waiver payment page explains that some Medicaid waiver payments may be excludable in certain cases, but families should not guess.

Families helping an older adult with a disability may also want our Delaware disability help guide for transportation, equipment, home access, and legal support.

What to do if denied, delayed, or overwhelmed

First, ask what kind of problem it is. A denial because income is too high is different from a denial because the senior does not meet level of care. A delay in worker onboarding is different from a delay in Medicaid approval.

  • Ask for the denial, reduction, or delay reason in writing.
  • Ask which rule or document is missing.
  • Ask whether agency-directed care, respite, or personal care can start while self-direction is being reviewed.
  • Keep a phone log with dates, names, and next steps.
  • Ask the plan for its grievance and appeal process if DSHP Plus services are denied or cut.

The Delaware Ombudsman helps people in long-term care settings and people receiving home and community-based services at home. It can be a good call when LTSS care is unsafe, blocked, reduced, or not matching the care plan.

Ombudsman phone script: “My family member receives or is trying to receive home and community-based long-term care services. Services are delayed, denied, or not safe. Can you explain what complaint or appeal steps we should take?”

If the problem is urgent financial need, rent, food, or utilities while care is being arranged, our Delaware emergency help guide can help with short-term support.

Backup options if caregiver pay does not work

  • Ask for agency-directed home care through DSHP Plus or DSAAPD.
  • Use respite to protect the caregiver while Medicaid is pending.
  • Ask about adult day services if daytime supervision is the biggest need.
  • Use Delaware Paid Leave for a short bridge if the caregiver is employed.
  • Consider a written private caregiver agreement if the senior can pay privately and the family gets legal or tax guidance first.
  • Ask local charities for small emergency help with food, utilities, transportation, or supplies. Our Delaware charities guide covers local support paths.

Local Delaware resources

  • Delaware ADRC: call 1-800-223-9074. ADRC is the best first call for most caregiver-pay questions.
  • ASSIST: apply for Medicaid and other benefits through the state benefits portal.
  • DSAAPD offices: Delaware lists office locations in Newark, Milford, Smyrna, and Georgetown.
  • AmeriHealth Caritas: use AmeriHealth LTSS information if this is the senior’s plan.
  • Highmark Health Options: use Highmark LTSS information if this is the senior’s plan.
  • Delaware First Health: call 1-877-236-1341 from the plan’s member website if this is the senior’s plan.
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman: call 1-855-773-1002 for home and community-based services complaints.

Resumen en español

En Delaware, no hay un cheque simple para cualquier familiar que cuida a una persona mayor. La ruta principal suele ser Medicaid de cuidado a largo plazo por medio de DSHP Plus. En algunos casos, la persona mayor puede usar servicios autodirigidos y contratar a un familiar como cuidador pagado.

Primero, la persona mayor debe calificar para el programa correcto. También debe aprobarse el plan de cuidado, las horas y el trabajador. Un hijo adulto puede ser una opción clara en muchos casos. Un cónyuge puede ser posible, pero la familia debe pedir una respuesta por escrito antes de hacer planes.

Si Medicaid no funciona de inmediato, pregunte por Attendant Services, Personal Care, respite, Lifespan Respite y Delaware Paid Leave. La mejor primera llamada es al ADRC al 1-800-223-9074.

Frequently asked questions

Can my adult child get paid to care for me in Delaware?

Often, yes, if you qualify for the right program. The main path is DSHP Plus LTSS with self-directed home and community-based services. The adult child must meet worker rules and be approved for the care plan.

Can my spouse get paid as my caregiver?

It may be possible in some adult self-directed cases because Delaware rules mention legally responsible family members. Still, spouses should not assume approval. Ask the case manager or support broker for a written answer.

Does Medicare pay family caregivers in Delaware?

Medicare is usually not the answer for long-term family caregiving pay. Medicaid long-term care is the main public path for ongoing home care by a family member.

How much does Delaware pay family caregivers?

Delaware does not post one simple statewide adult family-caregiver rate on the public pages reviewed for this guide. Ask the case manager for the current rate, approved hours, and payroll start date.

What is the best first phone call?

Call the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074. Ask for screening for DSHP Plus LTSS, self-directed HCBS, Attendant Services, Personal Care, respite, and caregiver support.

What if the senior is already in a nursing home?

Ask the DSHP Plus case manager about transition services, home and community-based care, and self-directed care. Also ask whether the senior can be safely served at home with a backup plan.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.

Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Next review: 27 August 2026

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About the Authors

Analic Mata-Murray
Analic Mata-Murray

Managing Editor

Analic Mata-Murray holds a Communications degree with a focus on Journalism and Advertising from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. With over 11 years of experience as a volunteer translator for The Salvation Army, she has helped Spanish-speaking communities access critical resources and navigate poverty alleviation programs.

As Managing Editor at Grants for Seniors, Analic oversees all content to ensure accuracy and accessibility. Her bilingual expertise allows her to create and review content in both English and Spanish, specializing in community resources, housing assistance, and emergency aid programs.

Yolanda Taylor
Yolanda Taylor, BA Psychology

Senior Healthcare Editor

Yolanda Taylor is a Senior Healthcare Editor with over six years of clinical experience as a medical assistant in diverse healthcare settings, including OB/GYN, family medicine, and specialty clinics. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento.

At Grants for Seniors, Yolanda oversees healthcare-related content, ensuring medical accuracy and accessibility. Her clinical background allows her to translate complex medical terminology into clear guidance for seniors navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and dental care options. She is bilingual in Spanish and English and holds Lay Counselor certification and CPR/BLS certification.