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Last updated: 19 September 2026
Maine does not have one automatic paycheck for every person who cares for an older relative. Payment usually depends on the older adult qualifying for a home-care program, the care being approved, and the family member meeting that program’s worker rules.
Bottom Line
For most families, the strongest places to ask about paid family care are MaineCare Section 19 and the state-funded Section 63 program. Adult children and other relatives may be possible workers in some cases. Spouse payment is more limited. Start with Maine’s aging network at 1-877-353-3771, then request a home-care assessment if the older adult needs regular hands-on help.
Need Help Right Now?
- If there is immediate danger, call 911.
- For suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404. Maine lists this as a 24-hour toll-free reporting line.
- If a hospital or nursing-home discharge is coming and home help is not arranged, call Maine’s assessing service at 1-833-525-5784.
- If the caregiver is exhausted or cannot safely continue alone, call 1-877-353-3771 and ask for caregiver support and respite.
Start Here
- Call the aging network: Dial 1-877-353-3771 and ask for the Area Agency on Aging serving the senior’s county. Maine’s Area Agencies on Aging are entry points for long-term support, caregiver help, and state-funded programs.
- Request an assessment: If the senior needs help with bathing, dressing, transfers, toileting, meals, or safety, use Maine’s Home Care page and call 1-833-525-5784.
- Check benefit status: If MaineCare is not active or the family is unsure, contact the Office for Family Independence at 1-855-797-4357. The GFS guide to Maine benefits portals can help before you start online forms.
Quick Reference
| Situation | First route | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| MaineCare member needs ongoing hands-on home care | Section 19 | Care, hours, and the worker must fit the approved plan. |
| Senior needs home care but may not qualify for MaineCare | Section 63 | State funding is limited and a waitlist is active. |
| Adult child or other relative wants to be paid | Ask about PSS or attendant work | Legal roles such as guardian, conservator, power of attorney, or representative can block payment in some models. |
| Spouse wants to be paid | Ask about Section 19 extraordinary care | Spouse payment is narrow and not ordinary household help. |
| Caregiver mainly needs a break | Caregiver support and respite | Respite can reduce strain but is not a regular family-caregiver wage. |
What Has Changed
Maine’s newest public home- and community-based services data now covers April through June 2026. The state reports 693 Section 63 participants and 914 people on the Section 63 waitlist. The previous version of this guide used an older waitlist figure. The same report shows no statewide waitlist for Section 19, Section 12, or Section 96 during that quarter, although worker and care-coordination shortages can still delay actual service. See Maine’s HCBS access report.
What Paid Family Caregiving Means in Maine
“Getting paid to care for Mom” usually does not mean Maine sends a family stipend just because a relative provides help. The older adult generally must qualify for a program. An assessor identifies needed care. The program authorizes specific services and hours. The relative must then fit the worker rules for the service model.
That distinction matters. A family member may already be doing the work, but the program may not pay for every task or every hour. Payment can also depend on whether care is delivered through an agency or a consumer-directed model. If you are comparing those two arrangements, see the GFS guide to agency vs. independent care.
Maine uses several home-care programs. The best fit depends on medical need, MaineCare status, finances, and how much help is needed. For a wider view of food, housing, health, and other benefits, use the GFS guide to Maine senior assistance.
Questions to Ask Before Relying on Caregiver Pay
Do not quit a job or build a household budget around caregiver income until the responsible program confirms the worker and approved hours. Ask these questions early:
- Which program fits? Section 19, Section 63, Section 12, Section 96, respite, or something else?
- Which model applies? Agency-employed personal care or a consumer-directed attendant?
- Who is the proposed worker? Spouse, adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend, or neighbor?
- Does that worker have a legal role? Guardian, conservator, power of attorney, or program representative?
- Which tasks are approved? Bathing, dressing, transfers, meals, medication help, household tasks, or respite?
- How many hours are authorized? Ask for the number in writing and whether the worker can provide all of them.
- What training is required? Some paid roles require Personal Support Specialist training, background checks, or other onboarding.
If disability-related needs are a major part of the case, the GFS guide to Maine disability help may identify related equipment, access, and rights resources.
Section 19: MaineCare Home and Community Benefits
What it helps with: Section 19 is a MaineCare home- and community-based program for older adults and adults with disabilities who meet the program’s medical and financial rules. Services can include personal care and other supports needed to remain in the community.
Can a relative be paid? A family member may be able to work as a Personal Support Specialist when the worker meets program requirements. Maine’s adopted Section 19 rule summary also confirms a special spouse pathway: an eligible member’s spouse may be reimbursed as a Personal Support Specialist for extraordinary care. That means care beyond what a spouse would ordinarily be expected to provide.
What to ask: Ask whether the proposed family worker can be hired under the senior’s exact service model, what training or background checks apply, how many hours are approved, and who will issue payroll. Maine published a 2026 waiver amendment that includes updates to direct-care worker certification and ongoing training requirements, so the hiring agency should confirm the current onboarding steps.
Where to start: Apply for or confirm MaineCare, then complete the long-term care functional assessment. Maine’s Home Care page lists the application and assessment sequence.
Reality check: A Section 19 approval does not guarantee that an agency has a worker ready. Maine reported no statewide Section 19 waitlist for April through June 2026, but staffing can still delay the start of service. If home care no longer seems workable, the GFS guide to affording assisted living explains other care-payment paths.
Section 63: State-Funded Home-Based Supports
What it helps with: Section 63, Home Based Supports and Services for Older and Disabled Adults, uses state funds to help eligible people avoid or delay institutional care. It is not the same as a MaineCare entitlement, and services depend on available funding.
Who may qualify: Maine’s current Section 63 rule requires a consumer to be at least 18, live in Maine, meet medical criteria, and have liquid assets of no more than $50,000 for one person or $75,000 for a couple, with a stated exception for certain people who were receiving the former Chapter 11 services on September 30, 2023. The program also looks at other available resources and whether another listed program should cover the need first.
Can a family member be paid? The rule says a family member who meets Section 63 requirements may work as a Personal Support Specialist and be reimbursed for personal care. But a consumer’s guardian, conservator, or power of attorney cannot be paid as that consumer’s Personal Support Specialist. Under the consumer-directed option, the representative also cannot be the paid attendant.
Spouse limits: Section 63 specifically says respite delivered by the consumer’s spouse is not covered. It also excludes personal care delivered by a guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact acting under a power of attorney, or another legally responsible individual. Because family roles can overlap, ask the Service Coordination Agency to confirm the exact spouse or relative arrangement before anyone relies on payment.
Hours and training: Under Section 63’s consumer-directed option, attendants generally cannot be reimbursed for more than 40 hours of service per week. Personal Support Specialists must meet training and screening rules. Maine’s PSS training page explains the state training system.
Reality check: Section 63 has a real funding waitlist. Maine reported 914 people waiting as of June 30, 2026. Apply or request screening anyway, but ask for temporary supports at the same time.
Section 12 and Section 96
Maine’s home-care system also includes Section 12 Consumer Directed Attendant Services and Section 96 Private Duty Nursing and Personal Care Services. Both are listed in the state’s MaineCare Benefits Manual.
These programs can matter, but do not assume they are interchangeable with Section 19 or Section 63. Section 12 is a consumer-directed service. Section 96 includes private duty nursing and personal care. The assessor should match the older adult to the program that fits the person’s medical needs, MaineCare status, and service model.
The June 2026 HCBS report showed no statewide waitlist for either Section 12 or Section 96. It also noted a referral-management process for Section 96 because care-coordination capacity was limited during that reporting period. Ask whether that affects the senior’s case now.
Respite and Caregiver Support
Respite is different from a regular caregiver wage. It pays for temporary relief so the main caregiver can rest, attend appointments, run errands, or handle other responsibilities. Maine’s care partner supports include information, counseling, training, support groups, respite, adult day services, homemaker help, and personal care through programs administered by the five Area Agencies on Aging.
Call 1-877-353-3771 for the local agency. The GFS Maine AAA directory also lists the five regional agencies and the counties they serve. For a broader explanation of short-term relief care, see respite care options.
Other Ways a Family Caregiver May Get Financial Relief
Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave: This is wage replacement for an eligible worker who takes approved leave, not a long-term home-care wage. Maine’s Paid Family Leave program began paying benefits for qualifying leave starting May 1, 2026. Eligible workers can receive partial wage replacement for approved reasons, including family care, for up to 12 weeks in a benefit year.
Adult dependent care tax credit: Maine has an adult dependent care credit for certain qualifying adult day care, hospice, and respite expenses. Tax-year rules and worksheets matter, so check the current worksheet rather than assuming an older dollar figure applies.
Private family-care agreement: If no public program fits, some families use a written private care agreement. It should describe duties, schedule, pay, and recordkeeping. This can affect taxes and future MaineCare planning, so get professional advice before moving money or property.
Veteran-related help: If the older adult is a veteran or surviving spouse, separate VA-related benefits may help with care costs. See the GFS guide to Maine veteran benefits.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Call 1-877-353-3771. Ask which Area Agency on Aging serves the senior and say you need both caregiver support and paid-home-care screening.
- Describe the actual care. Give examples such as bathing, dressing, transfers, toileting, meal preparation, safety checks, or memory supervision.
- Request the assessment. Call 1-833-525-5784 if a current functional assessment has not been completed.
- Check MaineCare. Use My Maine Connection or call OFI at 1-855-797-4357 if coverage or financial eligibility is uncertain.
- Name the proposed worker. Say whether the caregiver is a spouse, adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend, or neighbor.
- Disclose legal roles. Tell the program if the same person is guardian, conservator, attorney-in-fact under a power of attorney, or representative.
- Ask for the pay arrangement. Confirm the approved hours, employer, payroll system, training, background checks, hourly wage, and expected start date before counting on income.
Documents and Information to Gather
| Bring or know | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Photo ID and Maine address | Helps confirm identity and residency. |
| Medicare and MaineCare information | Shows current health coverage and program status. |
| Income and asset records | Financial rules apply to MaineCare and Section 63. |
| Medication and diagnosis list | Helps the assessor understand health and daily support needs. |
| Hospital discharge papers | Can document a recent change or urgent need. |
| Caregiver name and relationship | The program needs to review the exact proposed worker. |
| Legal authority papers | Guardianship, conservatorship, or power of attorney can affect worker eligibility. |
| Training records | Prior PSS, CNA, or related training may affect onboarding. |
Phone Scripts
Area Agency on Aging
“I care for an older adult in Maine who needs help at home. We want to know whether Section 19, Section 63, respite, or another program fits. Can you connect us to the right screening process?”
Assessment line
“I want to request a long-term care functional assessment. The person needs help with daily activities at home. We also want to know whether a family member can be an approved paid worker.”
Family worker approval
“Before we rely on caregiver pay, can you confirm whether this exact relative can be paid under this program and service model? They also hold power of attorney.”
Waitlist or delay
“We are waiting for services. Please tell us what step is pending, whether there is a waitlist or staffing delay, and what respite or temporary supports we can use now.”
Reality Checks
- Maine does not pay every family caregiver simply because the family needs help.
- The older adult must fit a program, and the care must be authorized.
- Spouse payment is more limited than payment to many other relatives.
- A legal role can help with decisions but may block paid-worker status in some models.
- A program can have no statewide waitlist and still have local staffing delays.
- Section 63 had 914 people on its waitlist as of June 30, 2026.
- The state reimbursement rate is not necessarily the caregiver’s hourly wage. Ask the employer or fiscal intermediary for the actual pay rate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming Maine has one automatic family-caregiver stipend.
- Assuming the same family-member rules apply to every home-care program.
- Quitting a job before worker approval, hours, and pay are confirmed.
- Failing to tell the program about guardianship, conservatorship, power of attorney, or representative status.
- Confusing respite support with a steady caregiver paycheck.
- Ignoring a waitlist letter instead of asking for temporary supports.
- Missing reassessment, renewal, or appeal notices.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
Ask for the reason in writing. A denial based on missing documents may be easier to fix than a denial based on program eligibility. If the senior was screened for the wrong route, ask whether another home-care section should be considered.
For MaineCare service decisions, Maine says members generally may ask for a Fair Hearing within 60 days of the decision letter. In most situations, asking within 10 days can keep current services in place while the hearing is pending. Read MaineCare’s fair-hearing guidance and follow the deadline in the actual notice.
For questions about covered MaineCare services, call the MaineCare contact page at 1-800-977-6740. For help with home-care access, reductions, denials, or complaints, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman offers free advocacy at 1-800-499-0229.
If the caregiver crisis is creating an immediate problem with food, housing, utilities, or safety, use the GFS guide to Maine emergency help while the care case moves forward.
Maine Contacts and Tools
| Need | Contact | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Not sure where to begin | ADRC / Area Agency on Aging 1-877-353-3771 |
Caregiver support, respite, and home-care screening. |
| Functional assessment | Maine Assessing Services 1-833-525-5784 |
Assessment for in-home long-term care. |
| MaineCare eligibility | OFI 1-855-797-4357 |
Application status, financial eligibility, or missing proof. |
| Covered MaineCare services | Member Services 1-800-977-6740 |
Coverage, service authorization, or hearing route. |
| Home-care advocacy | Ombudsman 1-800-499-0229 |
Access barriers, reductions, denial, termination, or complaints. |
| Self-screening | Maine Access Navigator | Use the tool to identify aging and disability service needs. |
Resumen en Español
Maine no paga automáticamente a cualquier familiar por cuidar a una persona mayor. Las rutas principales suelen ser Section 19 de MaineCare y Section 63, un programa financiado por el estado. Un hijo adulto u otro familiar puede ser trabajador pagado en algunos casos si cumple las reglas del programa. El pago a un esposo o esposa es más limitado.
Para empezar, llame al 1-877-353-3771 y pida ayuda de la Agencia del Área sobre Envejecimiento. Si la persona mayor necesita ayuda regular con baño, vestirse, trasladarse, comidas u otras actividades, llame al 1-833-525-5784 para preguntar por una evaluación. Diga si el cuidador también tiene poder legal, tutela, curatela o un papel de representante, porque eso puede afectar si puede recibir pago.
Section 63 tenía 914 personas en lista de espera al 30 de junio de 2026. Pregunte por respiro y otros apoyos mientras espera. Si MaineCare niega o reduce servicios, lea la carta de decisión y actúe antes de la fecha límite de apelación.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an adult child be paid to care for a Maine senior?
Sometimes. Section 19 and Section 63 can allow paid family care when the older adult qualifies, the care is authorized, and the adult child meets worker rules. Legal roles such as guardian, conservator, power of attorney, or representative can block payment in some models.
Can a spouse be paid in Maine?
Sometimes, but the rules are narrower. Section 19 allows spouse reimbursement as a Personal Support Specialist for qualifying extraordinary care. Section 63 has separate restrictions, including no covered respite delivered by the consumer’s spouse. Ask the program to confirm the exact arrangement before relying on payment.
Does the senior need MaineCare?
Not for every route. Section 19, Section 12, and Section 96 are MaineCare programs. Section 63 is state-funded and caregiver-support programs through the aging network can also serve people outside MaineCare.
How much will a family caregiver be paid?
There is no single statewide family-caregiver wage. Pay depends on the program, service model, employer or fiscal intermediary, approved hours, and worker role. Ask for the actual hourly wage and approved hours before making a household budget.
What is the best first call?
For most families, call 1-877-353-3771 and ask for the Area Agency on Aging serving the senior. If hands-on home care is clearly needed, also call 1-833-525-5784 for the state’s long-term care assessment process.
What if Section 63 has a waitlist?
Ask to be screened and ask for other supports at the same time. Maine reported 914 people on the Section 63 waitlist as of June 30, 2026. Ask about respite, homemaker help, adult day services, and whether a MaineCare home-care program also fits.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
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, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 19 September 2026 · Next review: 19 January 2027
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