The Hawaii caregiver program
Hawaii pays family members to care for a relative at home through QUEST Integration self-direction. Here is what it is called, who can be paid, what it pays, and how to get in.
Hawaii at a glance
- Programs
- 1
- Reported pay
- $14–$23/hr
- Spouse paid?
- Yes
- Waitlist
- Varies
can pay a relative
set in the care plan
Who are you caring for in Hawaii?
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
Hawaii programs that pay family caregivers
This is Medicaid money — a real, ongoing benefit, not a grant or a one-off stipend. In Hawaii it runs through:
- QUEST Integration self-direction
How it works: self-directed: participant hires the caregiver; a financial management services (FMS) agency handles payroll/taxes; services authorized through the member's QI health plan (MCO). The programs are administered by Hawaii Dept. of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (MQD); 800-316-8005 (O'ahu 808-524-3370); ADRC 808-643-2372.
Is there CDPAP or IHSS in Hawaii?
Hawaii has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The Hawaii equivalent runs through QUEST Integration self-direction, 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 Hawaii pays family caregivers
$14–$23/hr
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: Hawaii Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Who can be paid in Hawaii
- Adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend Yes
- Broadly allowed wherever the program lets the member choose their caregiver.
- Spouse Yes
- yes — relatives including spouses and adult children can be hired under QI self-direction
- Parent of a minor child Sometimes
- limited — self-direction allows hiring relatives, but payment of a parent for a minor child is not documented; confirm with Med-QUEST
How much does Hawaii pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay in Hawaii is around $14–$23/hr. no official published rate; third-party reports ~$14–$23/hr depending on program/region, up to ~$3,028/mo (2026).
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 Hawaii caregiver pay page, and the national picture is in family caregiver pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist in Hawaii?
Depends on the program. Medicaid/QI enrollment is an entitlement, but HCBS/LTSS participant slots can be limited — 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 Hawaii pays family instead of an agency
310,300 people in Hawaii — 21% of the state — are 65 or older, across 5 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 Hawaii
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions show which Hawaii program fits your family and what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + needs assessment
Hawaii 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 QUEST Integration self-direction 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: Apply for Med-QUEST online at MyBenefits or with form DHS 1100 at a Med-QUEST Service Center (800-316-8005); once enrolled, request a long-term-services assessment through the QI health plan.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
Hawaii caregiver program questions
What is the caregiver program in Hawaii called?
In Hawaii, family caregivers are paid through QUEST Integration self-direction. Hawaii has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The Hawaii equivalent runs through QUEST Integration self-direction, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
Does Hawaii have CDPAP or IHSS?
Hawaii has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The Hawaii equivalent runs through QUEST Integration self-direction, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
How much does Hawaii pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay is around $14–$23/hr. no official published rate; third-party reports ~$14–$23/hr depending on program/region, up to ~$3,028/mo (2026).
Can I get paid to take care of my spouse in Hawaii?
yes — relatives including spouses and adult children can be hired under QI self-direction
Can a parent be paid to care for a disabled child in Hawaii?
limited — self-direction allows hiring relatives, but payment of a parent for a minor child is not documented; confirm with Med-QUEST
Is there a waitlist for the Hawaii caregiver program?
Medicaid/QI enrollment is an entitlement, but HCBS/LTSS participant slots can be limited — waitlist can form when full
How do I apply to be a paid caregiver in Hawaii?
Apply for Med-QUEST online at MyBenefits or with form DHS 1100 at a Med-QUEST Service Center (800-316-8005); once enrolled, request a long-term-services assessment through the QI health plan.
Who runs the Hawaii Medicaid caregiver program?
Hawaii Dept. of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division (MQD); 800-316-8005 (O'ahu 808-524-3370); ADRC 808-643-2372.
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · medquest.hawaii.gov · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Hawaii caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Hawaii — pick yours for the local picture.