The District of Columbia caregiver program
District of Columbia pays family members to care for a relative at home through EPD Waiver — Services My Way. Here is what it is called, who can be paid, what it pays, and how to get in.
District of Columbia at a glance
- Programs
- 1
- Reported pay
- $3,600/month
- Spouse paid?
- No
- Waitlist
- Varies
can pay a relative
set in the care plan
Who are you caring for in District of Columbia?
Who do you care for?
- 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
District of Columbia programs that pay family caregivers
This is Medicaid money — a real, ongoing benefit, not a grant or a one-off stipend. In District of Columbia it runs through:
How it works: no home-care agency for self-directed services; a financial management services provider is required — GT Independence serves DC Services My Way as FMS and support broker (877-659-4500). The programs are administered by DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), Long Term Care Administration, 202-442-5988; Dept. of Aging and Community Living (DACL) 202-724-5626.
Is there CDPAP or IHSS in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The District of Columbia equivalent runs through EPD Waiver — Services My Way, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
Whatever the name, the model is the same one people mean by consumer-directed care: the person who needs help chooses their caregiver, and that caregiver can be family. See how CDPAP and IHSS work if a relative in New York or California described theirs to you.
What District of Columbia pays family caregivers
$3,600/month
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: District of Columbia Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Who can be paid in District of Columbia
- Adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend Yes
- Broadly allowed wherever the program lets the member choose their caregiver.
- Spouse Not right now
- no — 'a spouse or other legally responsible relative is excluded' from being a paid caregiver under Services My Way
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- no — EPD Waiver serves people 65+ or persons with disabilities 18+; minors are not in this waiver
How much does District of Columbia pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay in District of Columbia is around $3,600/month. not published; participant sets wages within their budget — reported ~$3,600/month max on third-party sites.
Your hours come from your relative's needs assessment, not from how many hours you actually work — which is why preparing for that assessment matters more than anything else. The detail is on the District of Columbia caregiver pay page, and the national picture is in family caregiver pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist in District of Columbia?
Depends on the program. not an entitlement — enrollment slots limited and a waitlist can form when full. Apply early either way — the Medicaid financial review and the care assessment take time even where there is no list.
Why District of Columbia pays family instead of an agency
91,000 people in District of Columbia — 13% of the state — are 65 or older, across 1 counties. There are not enough agency home care workers for all of them, and care at home costs Medicaid far less than a nursing home. So the state pays the person already doing the work: you. If you would rather hire help, see what in-home care costs and home care agencies that hire family members.
How to become a paid caregiver for a family member in District of Columbia
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions show which District of Columbia program fits your family and what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + needs assessment
District of Columbia confirms Medicaid eligibility and assesses how much help your relative needs. Those hours become your paid hours.
- after approval
Enroll and name you
Your relative enrolls in EPD Waiver — Services My Way and names you as their caregiver. Background check and payroll forms follow.
- every pay period
Get paid
You log the hours you already work and are paid for them, like any job.
Where to apply: A doctor or nurse completes the EPD Waiver Prescription Order Form, submitted to Liberty Healthcare, which schedules the functional assessment and assigns a worker to help complete the application; DHCF Long Term Care Administration (202-442-5988) administers enrollment.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
District of Columbia caregiver program questions
What is the caregiver program in District of Columbia called?
In District of Columbia, family caregivers are paid through EPD Waiver — Services My Way. District of Columbia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The District of Columbia equivalent runs through EPD Waiver — Services My Way, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
Does District of Columbia have CDPAP or IHSS?
District of Columbia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The District of Columbia equivalent runs through EPD Waiver — Services My Way, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
How much does District of Columbia pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay is around $3,600/month. not published; participant sets wages within their budget — reported ~$3,600/month max on third-party sites.
Can I get paid to take care of my spouse in District of Columbia?
no — 'a spouse or other legally responsible relative is excluded' from being a paid caregiver under Services My Way
Can a parent be paid to care for a disabled child in District of Columbia?
no — EPD Waiver serves people 65+ or persons with disabilities 18+; minors are not in this waiver
Is there a waitlist for the District of Columbia caregiver program?
not an entitlement — enrollment slots limited and a waitlist can form when full
How do I apply to be a paid caregiver in District of Columbia?
A doctor or nurse completes the EPD Waiver Prescription Order Form, submitted to Liberty Healthcare, which schedules the functional assessment and assigns a worker to help complete the application; DHCF Long Term Care Administration (202-442-5988) administers enrollment.
Who runs the District of Columbia Medicaid caregiver program?
DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), Long Term Care Administration, 202-442-5988; Dept. of Aging and Community Living (DACL) 202-724-5626.
Sources: dhcf.dc.gov · medicaidplanningassistance.org · gtindependence.com · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most District of Columbia caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in District of Columbia — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border District of Columbia
Each state writes its own rules, and they differ more than people expect — a spouse who can be paid on one side of the line often cannot be on the other.