Family Caregiver
In many states, a family member can get paid by the government to take care of a senior relative at home. This is not well known, but it is real. The programs are funded by Medicaid and go by different names depending on the state — CDPAP in New York, IHSS in California, Consumer Directed Services in Texas. The senior usually needs to qualify for Medicaid first. The amount paid varies, but it can be $12 to $20 an hour depending on the state. These guides explain which states allow family caregiver payment, how much the programs pay, who can be a paid caregiver, and the exact steps to apply.