In short, yes. A family member can get paid to be a home caregiver in Pennsylvania through Medicaid or an agency. There are Medicaid programs that allow you to hire caregivers at your discretion, including family. Within programs like CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program), caregivers receive a paycheck for their hours worked.
As for home care agencies, they allow you to work for their organization to gain the certifications and training you need. They also provide you with the tools and payment you need to deliver worthwhile care to your loved one.
Becoming a Caregiver for a Family Member
To become a caregiver for your family member, you need to complete training and certifications comparable to that of a career caregiver. To become a caregiver in Pennsylvania, there is a comprehensive assessment that determines your eligibility; you must also be over the age of 18 and living in Pennsylvania. It takes into consideration the needs of the care receiver and the caregiver. In addition, you will most likely need a doctor’s form.
At JEVS Care at Home, we’re here to help you find a way to care for your family member. We provide the resources, training, and support you need to succeed while ensuring that you are compensated at a competitive rate. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our page about how to become a caregiver.
Can You Get Paid for Being a Caregiver for Your Family?
There are options available to you to become a caregiver for a family member. As stated earlier, Medicaid has programs that allow to select caregivers, and they’ll receive a paycheck from their work. Other options like Medicaid waivers and home care agencies allow you, the desired caregiver, to dedicate the time to your loved one while getting paid.
Ways to Receive Compensation as a Family Caregiver
In Pennsylvania, there are several ways to pursue compensation as a family caregiver. Medicaid programs offer several ways to get paid as a family caregiver in long-term care scenarios. Companies like JEVS set you up with the tools and support you need to succeed with pay.
Medicaid Waivers
Medicaid HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) waivers entitle those eligible to hire a caregiver to assist them. However, this is not a right and requires you to enroll for the program that has a limited number of slots. This income can pay a family caregiver and cover expenses, but the amount received varies depending on your state.
Home Care Agencies
When working with an agency like JEVS, you become part of our organization. Your compensation comes from the agency in the form of paychecks. You can continue to care for your loved one without worry.
Eligibility of Becoming & Receiving Compensation as a Caregiver
To be eligible to perform the duties of a caregiver in Pennsylvania, the main requirement is that you are a resident of Pennsylvania and that you are over the age of 18. If you meet those requirements, there are many outlets, like JEVS Care at Home, that can help you pursue the required 8 hours of training and certifications you’ll need to get started.
As a caregiver, it’s possible for you to receive compensation in the form of reimbursements, deductions, pay from an agency, or Medicaid waivers, to name a few. We recommend that you take the time to look at the options available and how working with JEVS streamlines the process to make your only concern caring for your loved one.
Average Pay Rate for Pennsylvania Caregivers
The average pay rate for a caregiver in Pennsylvania is $13/hr. The hourly rate for services can vary from $11 to $16. However, the total pay you can get from being a caregiver may change depending on deductions and reimbursements.
Benefits for Being a Caregiver
Being a caregiver offers a multitude of benefits, from having a flexible schedule to pursuing meaningful work that makes a difference in someone’s life. In addition, when working with an agency like JEVS, traditional business benefits such as PTO (Paid time off), health, dental, and life insurance payments are all part of the compensation you’ll receive.
Working with An In-Home Care Organization
Being a caregiver is an enriching experience. When you work with an in-home care organization like JEVS at Home, the support and guidance you receive make a world of difference. We’re here to help you with everything from maintaining a schedule, to providing you with the benefits, training, tools, and structure you need to provide the best care for your loved one or care recipient.