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New Jersey caregiver pay guide
Last updated: 22 September 2026
New Jersey does not have one program that pays every relative who helps an older adult. The right path depends on Medicaid status, the amount of care needed, disability, work status, and whether the person receiving care is a veteran.
For many families, the first programs to check are the Personal Preference Program (PPP) for eligible NJ FamilyCare members and Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) for some adults age 60 or older who are not enrolled in Medicaid.
Bottom Line
If the person already has NJ FamilyCare and needs hands-on personal care, call the health plan and ask for a Personal Care Assistant assessment and PPP options counseling. If the person is 60 or older, needs nursing-facility level care, and is not on Medicaid, call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) at 1-877-222-3737 and ask about JACC. Adult children and other relatives can often be paid in self-directed programs. PPP guidance also allows a spouse to be hired as the worker.
Need Help Right Now?
If the older adult is in immediate danger, cannot breathe, has chest pain, has fallen with a serious injury, or cannot safely be left alone, call 911. If the crisis is a sudden loss of home care rather than a medical emergency, call the county ADRC at 1-877-222-3737. Our New Jersey emergency guide covers other urgent help.
Start Here
- Check Medicaid status. If the person has NJ FamilyCare, ask the health plan about PPP and a Personal Care Assistant assessment.
- Write down daily care needs. List help with bathing, dressing, toileting, walking, transfers, meals, medication reminders, memory problems, and safety supervision.
- Call the right office. If the person is not on Medicaid and is age 60 or older, call ADRC at 1-877-222-3737. The New Jersey aging offices guide can help you find county contacts.
Quick Reference: Which Path Fits?
| Program | Best fit | Can family be paid? | First step |
|---|---|---|---|
| PPP | NJ FamilyCare member approved for personal care | Yes, including many relatives and a spouse | Call the health plan |
| JACC | Age 60+, nursing-facility level care, not on Medicaid | Eligible family may be hired; confirm worker rules | Call ADRC |
| PASP | Physical disability plus work, school, training, or volunteering | Yes, family and friends may be hired | Call county PASP coordinator |
| MLTSS | Medicaid long-term care needs at home or in a facility | Ask the care manager about self-directed options | Start clinical and financial screening |
| Family Leave Insurance | A worker needs time off to care for a seriously ill loved one | No home-care wage; replaces part of lost job wages | Apply through NJ Labor |
| VA PCAFC | Eligible veteran with major service-connected disability and care need | Primary caregiver may receive a monthly stipend | Contact VA Caregiver Support |
| Statewide Respite | Unpaid caregiver needs a break | Not an ongoing caregiver wage program | Call ADRC |
The agency makes the final eligibility decision. A family relationship alone does not create a right to payment.
What Has Changed
- New job protection: Effective July 17, 2026, New Jersey added job protection for eligible workers receiving Temporary Disability Insurance or Family Leave Insurance when the leave is not already covered by the New Jersey Family Leave Act or federal Family and Medical Leave Act. The state says there is no minimum employer-size or current-employer work-history requirement for this new TDI/FLI protection.
- PPP fiscal intermediary update: The current PPP program page lists Palco for Horizon NJ Health PPP participants. Aetna Better Health of New Jersey, Fidelis Care, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and Wellpoint use Public Partnerships LLC (PPL).
- 2026 amounts rechecked: The PPP budget rate and worker limits, JACC income and asset limits, JACC monthly service cap, MLTSS income/resource figures, Family Leave Insurance maximum benefit, and Statewide Respite financial limits were rechecked for this update.
How Family Caregiver Pay Works
Paid family care usually requires a program that allows self-direction. The person receiving care, or an approved representative, helps choose the worker and approve time while a fiscal intermediary handles payroll.
Start with the care recipient’s eligibility, not the family relationship. Family Leave Insurance and respite can also help, but they are wage replacement or temporary relief rather than ongoing home-care payroll.
Personal Preference Program (PPP)
What it helps with: PPP is the clearest paid-family-caregiver route for many NJ FamilyCare members. It lets a person approved for Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services direct care instead of using only an agency.
Who can be hired: The official PPP family-worker FAQ says a participant may hire a husband, wife, legal guardian, sibling, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or other extended family member. A PPP authorized representative cannot also be the paid worker.
2026 budget rule: New Jersey’s 2026 PPP training uses a $20.40 PCA reimbursement rate per approved hour to build the budget. It says 87.5% of the calculated monthly budget remains after a 12.5% reduction for employer-of-record costs. Workers must receive at least $15.92 an hour and cannot be paid more than $25 an hour through PPP.
The $20.40 figure is not a guaranteed worker wage. The participant chooses a wage within program limits and the approved budget.
Where to start: Call the NJ FamilyCare health plan, ask for a PCA assessment, and say you want PPP options counseling. The State PPP Program Office is 609-631-2481.
Reality check: Paid shifts cannot start until PCA approval, PPP enrollment, employer setup, and worker onboarding are complete.
Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)
What it helps with: JACC is a state-funded program for New Jersey residents age 60 or older who need nursing-facility level care but want to remain in the community. Services can include home care, respite, meals, transportation, adult day services, home modifications, emergency-response systems, and equipment.
Who may qualify: The current JACC eligibility page requires New Jersey residence, age 60 or older, community residence, nursing-facility level care, and financial eligibility. For 2026, income cannot be more than $4,855 monthly for an individual or $6,582 for a married couple. Countable assets are limited to $40,000 or $60,000, respectively.
Can family be paid? JACC can use participant-employed providers, and New Jersey says qualified participants may have the opportunity to hire eligible family, friends, or neighbors. Public consumer guidance does not give PPP’s detailed spouse list, so confirm a spouse or other legally responsible worker with the care manager.
Service limit: JACC currently caps services at $1,090 per participant per month, plus care management. A co-pay may apply.
Where to start: Call ADRC at 1-877-222-3737 and ask for JACC and nursing-facility level-of-care screening.
Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP)
What it helps with: PASP provides up to 40 hours per week of routine, non-medical personal assistance to adults with permanent physical disabilities.
The PASP program page requires New Jersey residence, age 18 or older, community living, self-direction, help with daily activities, and work, training, school, or active volunteering for at least 20 hours per month.
Can family be paid? Yes. Participants may hire family, friends, neighbors, an agency, or a mix. There is no income cap, but a cost share may apply above 350% of the federal poverty level.
Where to start: Contact the county PASP coordinator. A frail retiree who does not meet the activity rule may fit JACC, PPP, or MLTSS better.
Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS)
What it helps with: MLTSS is New Jersey Medicaid’s long-term-care system for eligible people at home, in assisted living, community settings, or nursing facilities.
Adults age 21 or older must meet Medicaid financial rules and nursing-facility level-of-care rules. For a single applicant who is clinically eligible, New Jersey’s 2026 ABD brochure lists a monthly income limit of $2,982 and a resource maximum of $2,000. Married-person rules are more complex.
If income is above the MLTSS cap, a Qualified Income Trust may help in some cases. A QIT has strict rules and must be approved.
Where to start: Call ADRC for clinical screening and use the ABD application page for financial eligibility. Our New Jersey home-care guide covers other payment paths.
Important: New Jersey Medicaid may seek estate recovery for Medicaid payments for services received on or after age 55, subject to protections and exceptions.
Family Leave Insurance for Working Caregivers
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI) replaces part of an eligible worker’s lost wages while the worker takes leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. It is not home-care payroll.
The Family Leave Insurance page says 2026 benefits equal 85% of average weekly wages, up to $1,119 per week. Benefits can last up to 12 consecutive weeks, or 56 individual days for intermittent leave.
New in 2026: Expanded job protection took effect July 17, 2026. New Jersey says eligible workers receiving TDI or FLI benefits may have job protection when leave is not already covered by NJFLA or FMLA, with no minimum employer-size or current-employer work-history requirement for that protection.
VA Family Caregiver Stipend
Some veterans and caregivers may qualify for the federal Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). The VA caregiver stipend page says an eligible veteran generally needs a service-connected disability rating of 70% or more and in-person personal care for at least six continuous months, plus other requirements.
An approved Primary Family Caregiver may receive a monthly stipend. Call 1-855-260-3274. Our New Jersey veteran guide covers other benefits.
Statewide Respite Care Program
Statewide Respite pays for temporary relief so an unpaid caregiver can take a break; it does not create an ongoing wage for that caregiver.
The Statewide Respite page lists 2026 income limits of $2,982 monthly for a single person and $5,964 combined for a married person, with liquid asset limits of $40,000 and $60,000. A co-pay may apply.
Call ADRC at 1-877-222-3737. Our respite care guide explains this type of short-term relief.
Key 2026 Money and Rule Snapshot
| Program | 2026 figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| PPP | $20.40 PCA rate; $15.92–$25 worker wage range | The rate builds the budget; the worker wage is chosen within program limits |
| JACC | $4,855 single / $6,582 couple income; $40,000 / $60,000 assets | Financial screening for a non-Medicaid state program |
| JACC services | $1,090 monthly cap, plus care management | JACC may cover only part of a large care need |
| MLTSS | $2,982 monthly income and $2,000 resources for a single applicant | Core financial figures for clinically eligible long-term-care applicants |
| Family Leave Insurance | 85% of average weekly wage, up to $1,119 weekly | Temporary wage replacement, not home-care wages |
| Statewide Respite | $2,982 single / $5,964 married income; $40,000 / $60,000 assets | Financial screening for temporary caregiver relief |
These figures can change in a later program year. The responsible agency decides how income, assets, deductions, and household rules apply.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Choose the right door. Medicaid plus personal-care needs usually points to PPP; age 60+, no Medicaid, and nursing-facility level care points toward JACC.
- Ask for the right assessment. PPP starts with a PCA assessment. JACC and MLTSS require level-of-care screening.
- Describe real daily needs. Include hands-on help, cueing, memory problems, fall risk, and unsafe behaviors when they apply.
- Keep a call log. Save notices, names, dates, screenshots, and reference numbers.
- Wait for worker approval. Do not promise wages until the program confirms the worker and payroll enrollment.
Documents and Information Checklist
| Item | Why it helps | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and address proof | Shows identity, state residence, and county | JACC, Medicaid, PASP |
| Insurance cards | Identifies NJ FamilyCare plan and other coverage | PPP, MLTSS |
| Income and asset records | Supports financial screening | JACC, MLTSS, respite |
| Medical records | Shows diagnoses and care needs | PCA, JACC, MLTSS |
| Daily care list | Shows the help needed with daily activities | All care programs |
| Representative papers | Shows who can speak or sign for the applicant | PPP, Medicaid, JACC |
| Worker identity records | Needed for hiring and payroll setup | PPP, PASP, JACC self-direction |
Reality Checks
- New Jersey has no universal caregiver paycheck for every family.
- PPP requires NJ FamilyCare PCA approval before paid family care can start.
- JACC has a monthly service cap and can depend on funding and availability.
- Self-direction adds hiring, backup, timesheet, and recordkeeping duties.
- Medicaid long-term care can have estate-recovery consequences.
- A paid-care program may still leave gaps in nights, weekends, transportation, meals, or respite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling every program caregiver pay. PPP may pay a worker; FLI replaces job wages; respite pays for temporary relief.
- Applying to PPP too early. NJ FamilyCare PCA approval comes first.
- Using one person for two PPP roles. The authorized representative cannot also be the paid worker.
- Calling $20.40 the wage. It is the 2026 PCA rate used to build the PPP budget.
- Using old payroll information. Horizon uses Palco; the other listed PPP plans use PPL.
- Expecting unlimited JACC hours. JACC has a $1,090 monthly service cap plus care management.
Denied, Delayed, or Stuck?
- Get the reason in writing. Ask for the rule, assessment result, and date.
- Watch the notice deadline. Follow any appeal or fair-hearing deadline shown.
- Name the actual problem. Ask whether it is financial, clinical, paperwork, payroll, service availability, or funding.
- Ask about a QIT. If MLTSS income is the barrier, ask whether a Qualified Income Trust fits.
- Escalate PPP payroll issues. Contact the fiscal intermediary and, if needed, the PPP State Program Office at 609-631-2481.
- Use temporary help. ADRC can screen for respite, meals, adult day services, transportation, and other county supports.
Backup Options for the Family Budget
If caregiver pay does not fit, reducing other household costs may help. Start with the New Jersey senior guide and our New Jersey benefits portals guide.
For disability-related help, see the New Jersey disability guide. If care needs are rising, review paying for assisted living.
For Medicare costs, use the New Jersey MSP guide and the official NJSave application page.
Local and Official Resources
- County aging offices: Use the county AAA directory or call ADRC at 1-877-222-3737.
- NJ FamilyCare ABD: Call 1-800-356-1561 for application help.
- PPP State Program Office: Call 609-631-2481 for program questions.
- Horizon PPP payroll: Palco customer service is 1-877-710-0457.
- PPL PPP payroll: PPL customer service is 1-844-880-8702 in English and 1-844-880-8703 in Spanish.
- VA caregiver support: Call 1-855-260-3274.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Health plan about PPP
“I am calling for a NJ FamilyCare member who needs hands-on help. I want a PCA assessment and information about PPP. What is the next step?”
ADRC about JACC
“I care for someone age 60 or older who is not on Medicaid and needs a lot of help at home. Can you screen us for JACC?”
PPP payroll delay
“The participant is approved, but the worker cannot start. Which onboarding step is incomplete, and who needs to fix it?”
Caregiver needs respite
“I provide daily unpaid care and need short-term relief. Can you screen us for Statewide Respite and county caregiver services?”
Resumen en Español
New Jersey no paga automáticamente a todos los familiares cuidadores. Si la persona tiene NJ FamilyCare y necesita ayuda personal, llame al plan de salud y pida una evaluación de Personal Care Assistant y pregunte por PPP. PPP permite contratar a muchos familiares, incluso al esposo o la esposa, si se cumplen las reglas.
Si la persona tiene 60 años o más, necesita mucho cuidado y no está en Medicaid, llame al ADRC al 1-877-222-3737 y pregunte por JACC. Si usted trabaja y necesita tiempo libre para cuidar a un familiar con una condición seria, Family Leave Insurance puede reemplazar parte de su salario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my daughter get paid to care for me in New Jersey?
Often, yes. PPP is the clearest route for a NJ FamilyCare member approved for PCA services. JACC may also allow an eligible family member for some people age 60 or older who are not on Medicaid.
Can my spouse get paid through PPP?
Yes. New Jersey’s PPP FAQ allows a husband or wife to be hired. The worker cannot also serve as the PPP authorized representative.
How much does PPP pay a family caregiver?
There is no flat paycheck. In 2026, New Jersey uses a $20.40 PCA rate to build the budget. PPP workers must receive at least $15.92 per hour and no more than $25 per hour.
What are the 2026 JACC limits?
JACC lists income up to $4,855 monthly for an individual or $6,582 for a married couple, with assets up to $40,000 or $60,000. Services are capped at $1,090 monthly, plus care management.
What if income is too high for MLTSS?
Ask whether a Qualified Income Trust may apply. A QIT can help in some long-term-care cases, but it has strict rules and must be approved.
Does Family Leave Insurance pay me as a home caregiver?
No. It replaces part of an eligible worker’s lost wages during approved caregiving leave. It is not payment for ongoing home-care hours.
Can a veteran’s family caregiver get a monthly stipend?
Possibly. VA PCAFC can pay an approved Primary Family Caregiver a monthly stipend when the veteran and caregiver meet the federal requirements.
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: 22 September 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027
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