Can I get paid to care for my spouse in Delaware?
In Delaware the answer turns on which program your spouse is on and how their care plan is written. Some routes pay a husband or wife; others pay every relative except a spouse. That is worth ten minutes to get right, because the difference is a paycheck.
The short answer
- Spouse can be paid
- Sometimes
- Programs
- 1
- Reported pay
- $13–$21/hr
- Waitlist
- None
see the full rule below
in this state
set inside the care plan
apply early either way
- 50 + DC
- states covered
- 3,144
- counties with local data
- $0
- it is always free to apply
- 2 min
- to see if you qualify
Population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau · Rules from each state's published Medicaid program
What decides it in your case
- Which program your spouse enrolls in — self-directed routes are the ones that can pay a spouse.
- Whether the state treats you as a legally responsible relative for the specific tasks in the plan.
- Whether the hours are ordinary daily help or skilled care that needs a licensed worker.
- Whether another adult in the household could be the paid caregiver instead.
What Delaware pays family caregivers
$13–$21/hr
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: Delaware Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
What Delaware's rule actually says
limited — DSHP-Plus managed care policy bars people legally responsible for the member from serving as the paid attendant; confirm any spouse arrangement with the MCO
The programs this runs through in Delaware: DSHP-Plus self-directed care. Who runs them: Delaware Health & Social Services, Division of Medicaid & Medical Assistance (DMMA); Central Intake 1-866-940-8963, Customer Relations 1-866-843-7212
229,000 people in Delaware are 65 or older. Most of them are cared for at home, by a relative — usually without being paid for it.
How to start in Delaware
Call the DMMA Central Intake Unit at 866-940-8963 to request an application; eligibility determination (financial + nursing-facility level of care) can take up to 3 months.
self-directed through the member's managed care organization; a financial management services agency handles payroll/taxes/background checks
See if you qualify →Spouse questions in Delaware, answered
Can I get paid to care for my husband or wife in Delaware?
Sometimes — it depends on the program and the care plan. The published rule: limited — DSHP-Plus managed care policy bars people legally responsible for the member from serving as the paid attendant; confirm any spouse arrangement with the MCO
Why do some states allow this and others don't?
Medicaid has long treated care between spouses as a family duty rather than paid work. Self-directed programs changed that in many states by making the person who needs care the employer — they choose their own worker, and in some states that can be a spouse. It is a state-by-state policy choice, not a federal rule.
How much would I earn in Delaware?
Reported pay in Delaware runs around $13–$21/hr, though your exact rate is set by the program and the care plan.
Does my spouse need Medicaid first?
Yes. These are Medicaid programs, so your spouse has to qualify for Delaware Medicaid and need long-term care help. Many families assume they earn too much and never apply. The rules for long-term care are not the same as regular Medicaid — check before you rule yourself out.
Is there a waitlist in Delaware?
no waitlist — DSHP-Plus is an entitlement (eligibility = enrollment)
How do we start?
Call the DMMA Central Intake Unit at 866-940-8963 to request an application; eligibility determination (financial + nursing-facility level of care) can take up to 3 months.
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · kidswaivers.org · payingforseniorcare.com · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Guides
For Delaware families
Start with the Delaware caregiver program, then read how the pieces fit together.
Where most Delaware caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Delaware — pick yours for the local picture.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.