Paid Family Caregiver Programs in Delaware

Last updated: 6 April 2026

Bottom line: A Delaware senior can sometimes have a family member paid for care, but usually not through a simple state stipend. The main real path is through Diamond State Health Plan Plus, Delaware’s Medicaid long-term services and supports system, where some people can choose self-directed home and community-based services and hire a family member.

Delaware also has a state Attendant Services program, plus respite, personal care, and caregiver support programs. Those can help a lot, but they do not work the same way as a broad “paid family caregiver” check.

Quick help box

What you need	Best first step
You want to know if a family member can be paid	Call the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074 and ask for screening for both Medicaid LTSS and DSAAPD services.
You need to apply for Medicaid long-term care	Use Delaware’s ASSIST benefits portal and gather income, asset, and medical records first.
You already have DSHP Plus and want self-direction	Call your plan and ask for your LTSS case manager. AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware: 1-855-777-6617. Highmark Health Options: 1-855-401-8251.
You were denied or are getting nowhere	Ask for the denial in writing and contact the Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-855-773-1002.

Emergency help now

1. If the senior is in immediate danger, without medication, or unsafe at home, call 911. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation, report it through Delaware Adult Protective Services.
2. Call the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 and say, “We need urgent in-home care options for an older adult.”
3. If the senior already has DSHP Plus, call the health plan the same day and ask for the LTSS case manager and a review for self-directed or agency-directed in-home services.

What this help actually looks like in Delaware

In Delaware, “getting paid to care for my parent” usually means the older adult first qualifies for long-term care Medicaid, is enrolled in Diamond State Health Plan Plus, and then chooses a self-directed care option. Delaware’s official materials say several state programs let participants hire, train, and supervise their own attendants, including family members and friends, as long as the person receiving care is eligible and enrolled in the right program.

The adult Medicaid path is usually called self-directed HCBS, and Delaware’s Medicaid contract notes that this was formerly called self-directed attendant care. The self-directed model is not a loose cash benefit. The senior or a separate employer representative acts as the employer, a support system handles payroll and tax functions, and the family worker is paid only for approved services and approved hours in the care plan.

That means Delaware does offer real ways to pay some family caregivers. But it also means many families will not qualify right away. Most older adults need Medicaid long-term care eligibility first. If the senior does not meet that test, the next best Delaware options are usually state Attendant Services, personal care, respite help, or temporary wage replacement through Delaware Paid Leave if the caregiver is still working.

Quick facts

Question	Short answer
Is there a simple Delaware check for any family caregiver of a senior?	No. I did not find a broad stand-alone Delaware cash stipend for any adult child or spouse caring for an older parent or partner.
What is the main paid-family-caregiver path for seniors?	Medicaid LTSS through DSHP Plus with self-directed home and community-based services.
Can an adult child be paid?	Usually yes in Delaware’s self-directed model, if the senior is in the right program and the adult child qualifies as the worker.
Can a spouse be paid?	Possibly. Delaware’s adult self-directed Medicaid rules allow a family member, including a legally responsible family member, but families should confirm spouse approval in writing before relying on it.
Is Medicaid required?	Usually yes for the main senior paid-caregiver path. But not every Delaware support program is Medicaid.
Is there one statewide public pay rate?	No. The public state and plan sources reviewed for this guide do not post one statewide adult family-caregiver wage.
Best first phone call?	The Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074.

Who qualifies

The answer depends on which Delaware program you are trying to use.

• For the main Medicaid route: the senior usually needs Delaware Medicaid long-term care eligibility, a need for the level of care provided by a nursing facility, and a plan of care that supports services at home or in the community. Delaware’s Long Term Care Medicaid page says the income limit is set at 250% of the SSI standard, a Miller Trust may be needed if income is over that limit, and countable assets generally cannot exceed $2,000 unless there is a spouse.
• For adult self-direction: the senior must be able to direct care or have a separate employer representative who can do employer tasks.
• For the family worker: Delaware’s Medicaid contract says a self-directed worker must be at least 18, have the skills to do the job, have a valid Social Security number, and complete required background checks. Someone on the Delaware Adult Abuse Registry, sex offender registries, or excluded provider list cannot be hired.
• For state programs outside Medicaid: financial and functional rules vary. Delaware’s Attendant Services page says the program is for Delaware residents age 18 and older with disabilities who meet specific financial and functional criteria.

If you are helping a parent in Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Milford, Georgetown, Rehoboth, or anywhere else in the state, the easiest way to sort this out is still the same: start with the ADRC and ask for screening for both Medicaid LTSS and non-Medicaid aging/disability services.

Best Delaware options for paid family caregiving and close substitutes

1) Medicaid LTSS through Diamond State Health Plan Plus: the main paid-family-caregiver path

What it is. Delaware’s Diamond State Health Plan Plus is the state’s managed long-term care system for older adults and adults with physical disabilities. Official plan materials explain that if you qualify for nursing home care, you can choose services in your home, in another community setting, or in a nursing facility. Delaware’s current Medicaid approval and contract also allow participant-directed services for adults, including personal care/attendant care, respite, and chore services in the participant-directed model.

Who can get it or use it. This is usually the right path for a low-income Delaware senior who needs hands-on help every day and wants a daughter, son, spouse, or other trusted person to provide care at home. The senior generally needs long-term care Medicaid approval first. Medicare alone is not the normal answer here.

How it helps. Delaware’s Medicaid contract says members in self-directed HCBS may hire a person with whom they have a close personal relationship, “such as a neighbor, friend, or family member including legally responsible family members,” and the participant or representative has employer authority to recruit, hire, train, approve time sheets, and discharge workers. The support system must include financial management services and support brokerage, so the family is not left alone to figure out payroll.

Can a spouse or adult child be paid? An adult child is usually the easier answer: Delaware clearly allows family members in the self-directed model. A spouse is more complicated, but Delaware’s adult self-directed rules use the broader phrase “legally responsible family members.” For an adult member, that wording strongly suggests a spouse can sometimes be the paid worker. Still, because Delaware’s plain-language senior pages do not name spouses directly, ask the case manager or support broker to confirm your exact situation before you make financial plans.

Important rule: the employer representative cannot also be the paid worker for that same member. So if the adult child or spouse is serving as employer representative, that person should not assume they can also be the paid caregiver under the same setup.

How much does it pay? Delaware’s public pages do not post one statewide adult family-caregiver rate. Pay can vary by plan, service, approved budget, and worker setup. Before anyone quits a job, ask the case manager or support broker for the current hourly rate, the number of approved hours, and the date payroll can actually begin.

How to apply or use it. If the senior is not yet on Medicaid LTSS, start with the ASSIST portal and the ADRC. If the senior is already on DSHP Plus, call the plan directly and ask for an LTSS case manager review for self-directed HCBS or self-directed attendant care. AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware’s LTSS page confirms that DHSS/DMMA decides LTSS eligibility and that the plan helps enrolled members pursue added services when their health changes.

What to gather or know first. Gather proof of identity, Delaware address, Medicaid and Medicare cards, income and asset records, and a clear list of the help the senior needs with bathing, dressing, toileting, transfers, eating, walking, cooking, and supervision. Also gather the proposed family worker’s legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and contact information for onboarding and background checks.

One extra Delaware-specific point. If the senior is in a nursing facility now and wants to come home, Delaware’s CMS-approved LTSS package includes nursing facility transition services of up to $2,500, with case-manager exceptions above that amount. That can help a family bring someone home first and then set up in-home care.

2) DSAAPD Attendant Services: a self-directed state program worth asking about

What it is. Delaware’s Attendant Services program is a self-directed program where participants serve as employers of their own attendants. The service can cover help with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, shopping, housekeeping, transportation, communication, mobility, and related daily tasks.

Who can get it or use it. The official page says it is for Delaware residents age 18 and older with disabilities who meet specific financial and functional criteria. That can include some older adults, especially those with significant physical limitations.

How it helps. Delaware’s own FAQ on getting paid as a caregiver for a family member or friend says the person receiving care must be enrolled in a Personal Attendant Services program and that Delaware has programs allowing participants to hire family members and friends. This makes Attendant Services one of the most important backup questions to ask if the senior does not yet have Medicaid LTSS approval.

How to apply or use it. Contact the ADRC and ask specifically whether the older adult should be screened for Attendant Services, Personal Care, Medicaid LTSS, or more than one program.

What to gather or know first. The public Attendant Services page does not publish one statewide wage, one statewide timeline, or a simple spouse/adult-child chart. That means you should ask the ADRC to tell you three things right away: whether Medicaid is required in your case, whether family hiring is allowed for that case, and whether the program currently has immediate openings or delayed access.

3) Personal Care, caregiver support, and Lifespan Respite: not direct family wages, but often the best next move

What it is. Delaware’s aging agency offers a mix of caregiver supports, including caregiver resource centers, respite, case management, personal care, and other home- and community-based services. The separate Personal Care page says the service is for Delaware residents with physical disabilities age 18+ or older persons age 60+ who need help with daily activities.

Who can get it or use it. These programs are important when the senior does not fit the Medicaid self-direction path, when the family needs relief before a Medicaid decision is made, or when the main goal is a break for the caregiver rather than ongoing wages.

How it helps. The closest non-Medicaid substitute for a paid family-caregiver program is Delaware’s Lifespan Respite program, which provides respite vouchers to eligible caregivers so they can pay for care while they take a break. That is not the same as putting the adult child on payroll every week, but it can prevent burnout and buy time while you work through a Medicaid application.

How to apply or use it. Start with the ADRC. For Lifespan Respite, Delaware directs families to the Delaware Lifespan Respite Care Network through Easterseals. If you want personal care or case management, ask the ADRC which DSAAPD service matches the senior’s needs.

What to gather or know first. Delaware’s Lifespan Respite page says the care recipient must not already be getting services through Medicaid managed care, hospice, DDDS, or Veterans Affairs. So if the senior already has DSHP Plus, this respite voucher program may not be available, and you should instead ask the Medicaid plan for respite or other in-home support.

4) Delaware Paid Leave: temporary wage replacement for working caregivers

What it is. Delaware Paid Leave is a work-leave program, not a Medicaid home-care program. It started taking contributions on 1 January 2025, and claims opened on 1 January 2026.

Who can get it or use it. It helps family members who are still employed. Delaware says an employee generally must have been employed for at least one year and worked at least 1,250 hours with a single employer. The program applies mainly to employers with enough employees to be covered by the law.

How it helps. If leave is approved, Delaware says a worker can get up to 80% of wages, up to $900 per week, and can use family-caregiver leave for up to six weeks every 24 months to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This is not long-term caregiver pay, but it can be a real bridge for a daughter or son taking time off to get a parent settled at home.

How to apply or use it. Use the LaborFirst claimant hub. Ask your employer whether the business uses the state plan or an approved private plan.

What to gather or know first. This program does not help retirees, full-time unpaid caregivers with no job to take leave from, or families looking for an open-ended caregiving wage. It is best used as a short-term support while Medicaid or other care arrangements are being set up.

5) PACE is still being developed in Delaware, so do not wait for it

What it is. The state’s PACE page explains that the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly is an integrated long-term care option for people age 55+ who meet nursing home level of care and can live safely in the community at enrollment.

Who can get it or use it. As of the official Delaware page available for this guide, PACE is still being developed in Delaware.

How it helps. Once active, PACE could become a useful option for some frail older adults. But it is not the answer for families who need a paid family-caregiver path right now.

How to apply or use it. There is no live statewide enrollment path yet on the Delaware page.

What to gather or know first. If someone tells you to “just use PACE,” know that Delaware’s own page still says the state is developing it. Use today’s real options instead.

How to apply without wasting time

1. Make one good first call. Call the ADRC at 1-800-223-9074. Say: “My parent is in Delaware, needs help at home, and we need to know whether they qualify for Medicaid LTSS, self-directed care, Attendant Services, or Personal Care.”
2. Do not just ask for “caregiver pay.” Use Delaware program names: DSHP Plus LTSS, self-directed HCBS, Attendant Services, and Personal Care.
3. Start the Medicaid side early. If the senior is low income, use ASSIST right away. Financial eligibility is often the slowest piece.
4. Ask whether the senior needs nursing-facility level-of-care approval. That is the key gate for the main DSHP Plus route.
5. If the senior is already on DSHP Plus, call the plan instead of starting over. Ask the case manager for the self-directed option and ask what paperwork is missing.
6. Get every next step in writing. Ask who is responsible for the medical assessment, the financial review, the worker onboarding, and the payroll setup.

Checklist of documents or proof

Gather this	Why it matters
Photo ID, Social Security number, birth date	Needed for identity, Medicaid, and worker onboarding.
Proof of Delaware address	Most state aging and Medicaid programs require Delaware residency.
Medicare and Medicaid cards, if any	Shows current coverage and which plan to call first.
Income records: Social Security, pension, wages, annuities	Needed for long-term care Medicaid financial review.
Asset records: bank statements, burial accounts, life insurance, other resources	Important because Delaware LTC Medicaid has resource rules.
Medical records, diagnoses, medication list, hospital discharge papers	Helps prove the senior’s daily care needs and level of care.
Power of attorney, guardianship, or other representative documents	Needed if someone else is helping make decisions or may act as employer representative.
Details for the proposed family caregiver	The worker may need a background check, payroll setup, and employment agreement.

Reality checks

• Delaware does not appear to have a broad, easy state stipend for every adult child caring for a parent.
• The main senior paid-caregiver route is usually Medicaid, not Medicare.
• The older adult must first qualify for the right program. Being related is not enough.
• The family worker is not paid in cash under the table. Delaware’s self-directed model uses payroll, approvals, and records.
• I did not find a public statewide adult pay rate or a single statewide approval timeline. Ask the case manager or support broker for current numbers.
• I did not find a published slot cap for the adult DSHP Plus self-directed path. But Delaware’s general DHSS waiting-list policy shows that publicly funded services can face waiting lists when resources are tight, so non-Medicaid state programs may still have delays.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing Medicare with Medicaid. Medicare usually does not pay a family member for ongoing custodial care at home.
• Using the child rules for adult senior care. Delaware’s widely quoted 40-hour cap is from the children’s self-directed attendant care benefit. I did not find that same adult-specific cap in the adult DSHP Plus self-directed materials reviewed for this guide.
• Assuming the spouse is automatically approved. Ask for a case-specific answer in writing.
• Letting the same person be both employer representative and paid worker. Delaware’s self-direction rules do not allow that for the same member.
• Quitting work too soon. Wait until the rate, hours, and start date are confirmed.
• Ignoring background-check problems. A person on the Adult Abuse Registry, sex offender registries, or excluded provider list cannot be hired.

Best options by need

If this is your situation	Best Delaware option	Why
Low-income senior needs daily hands-on care at home	DSHP Plus LTSS with self-directed HCBS	This is Delaware’s main path for paying a family caregiver.
Senior already has DSHP Plus and adult child wants to be paid	Call the plan case manager and ask for self-direction now	You may be able to switch from agency care to self-directed care.
Senior is older, disabled, and not yet approved for Medicaid LTSS	Ask ADRC about Attendant Services and Personal Care while Medicaid is pending	These are Delaware-specific backup services.
Family caregiver still works and needs short-term income	Delaware Paid Leave	It can replace part of wages while the caregiver helps a parent.
Caregiver is exhausted and needs a break	Plan respite or Lifespan Respite	Not direct wages, but it can keep the home situation stable.
Senior wants to leave a nursing home and return home	Ask about DSHP Plus transition services and self-directed care	Delaware allows transition help and community-based LTSS.

What to do if denied, delayed, blocked, or waitlisted

First, ask for the exact reason in writing. Find out whether the problem is financial eligibility, level of care, missing medical records, worker onboarding, or program access. Those are very different problems.

If a Medicaid plan denies or limits services, ask for the plan’s grievance and appeal process right away and keep copies of every notice. If a state office says there is no opening or the case is stalled, ask whether the senior can get temporary agency-directed services, respite, or personal care while you wait.

The Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is especially useful because Delaware says it serves people who live in long-term care settings and those who receive home- and community-based services in their homes. If the issue is safety, neglect, or exploitation, report it through Adult Protective Services.

Plan B and backup options

If Delaware does not offer a clean paid-family-caregiver route for your situation, do not stop there.

• Ask for agency-directed home care through DSHP Plus or DSAAPD Personal Care.
• Use respite to protect the caregiver while waiting on Medicaid decisions.
• If the caregiver is employed, use Delaware Paid Leave as a short-term bridge.
• If the family can afford it, consider a written private caregiver agreement instead of informal cash payments. This can help with taxes, family disputes, and later Medicaid review.
• If the older adult is a veteran, ask the ADRC to help you sort out whether any VA-related supports might fit, because that can affect eligibility for Delaware respite programs.

Local Delaware resources that are actually useful

• Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center: 1-800-223-9074. This is the best first call for most families.
• ASSIST benefits portal: apply online for Medicaid and long-term care benefits.
• DSAAPD office locations: Delaware lists offices in Newark, Milford, Smyrna, and Georgetown through its contact page.
• AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware LTSS: LTSS member information and Member Services at 1-855-777-6617.
• Highmark Health Options LTSS: Member Services at 1-855-401-8251.
• Delaware Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-855-773-1002.
• Delaware Paid Leave: program overview and claimant hub.

Diverse communities in Delaware

This topic is hard enough in English. Delaware’s aging agency provides a statewide contact point through the ADRC, lists an email address, and also lists a TDD line at (302) 424-7141. DSAAPD also maintains an Información en Español section. If language, hearing, memory, or transportation barriers are part of the problem, say that at the first call so the family can get the right support from the start.

Frequently asked questions about paid family caregiver programs in Delaware

Can my adult daughter or son get paid to care for me in Delaware?

Often, yes. The main path is Delaware Medicaid LTSS through DSHP Plus with self-directed home- and community-based services. Delaware’s rules allow family members to be hired in that model. The catch is that the older adult must first qualify for the right program, and the worker must complete the required hiring and background-check steps.

Can my spouse get paid to care for me in Delaware?

Possibly. Delaware’s adult self-directed Medicaid rules say a worker may be a family member, including a legally responsible family member. That language can include a spouse for an adult member. But because Delaware’s consumer-facing senior pages do not say “spouse” in plain words, ask the case manager or support broker to confirm your exact case before you count on spouse pay.

Do I need Medicaid, or can Medicare do this?

For the main senior paid-family-caregiver path, you usually need Medicaid. Delaware’s LTSS system is built around Medicaid long-term care rules. Medicare alone is not the usual route for long-term hands-on care at home by a family member.

How much does Delaware pay family caregivers?

There is no one public statewide adult rate posted on the Delaware state pages or plan pages reviewed for this guide. The actual rate can depend on the plan, the approved service, the worker setup, and the number of authorized hours. Always ask for the current rate and approved hours before making work or housing decisions.

Is there a waitlist for Delaware’s paid family caregiver path?

I did not find a published slot cap or statewide waitlist for the adult DSHP Plus self-directed pathway. But state-funded programs can still face delays, and Delaware has a general waiting-list policy for publicly funded services when resources run short. If you are told to wait, ask whether the delay is because of eligibility, staffing, onboarding, or actual program capacity.

What if my mother is already in a nursing home and wants to come home?

Ask immediately about DSHP Plus LTSS, self-directed care, and Delaware’s nursing facility transition services. Delaware’s approved waiver materials allow transition help of up to $2,500, and higher amounts may be approved by the case manager in some cases. This is one of the best Delaware-specific tools for families trying to move a parent home safely.

How long does approval take?

Delaware does not publish one simple statewide approval timeline for this topic. Delays can happen at several points: financial eligibility, medical level-of-care review, plan enrollment, worker background checks, and payroll setup. Ask which step is still pending and who owns that step.

What tax rules apply to caregiver payments?

Do not assume the money is automatically tax-free. Delaware’s self-directed system uses payroll and employment functions through a fiscal management setup. The IRS has special guidance for certain Medicaid waiver payments, but Delaware’s main adult senior pathway runs through DSHP Plus under the state’s 1115 demonstration, so families should ask the fiscal/employer agent how the pay will be reported and speak with a tax professional about their own case.

Resumen en español

En Delaware, no existe un cheque estatal simple para cualquier hijo adulto o cónyuge que cuida a una persona mayor. La ruta principal para que un familiar reciba pago suele ser Medicaid de cuidado a largo plazo por medio de Diamond State Health Plan Plus, usando servicios dirigidos por el propio participante.

Eso significa que la persona mayor primero debe calificar para Medicaid y para el nivel de cuidado requerido. Después, en algunos casos, puede contratar a un familiar como cuidador pagado. Un hijo adulto normalmente es la opción más clara. Un cónyuge puede ser posible en algunos casos, pero debe confirmarse con el administrador del caso antes de hacer planes financieros.

Si Medicaid no funciona, Delaware todavía ofrece ayuda real, como Attendant Services, Lifespan Respite, cuidado personal y Delaware Paid Leave para cuidadores que todavía trabajan. La mejor primera llamada es al ADRC al 1-800-223-9074.

About This Guide

Editorial note: This guide is written for Delaware seniors, family caregivers, and adult children trying to solve a real care problem at home.

Verification: We checked official Delaware DHSS, DSAAPD, DMMA, CMS, Delaware Department of Labor, and IRS sources available through March 2026, and we rechecked for major changes on 6 April 2026.

Corrections: If a Delaware agency changes a phone number, portal, or rule, please ask us to update this page.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax, financial, or medical advice.