The New Hampshire caregiver program
New Hampshire pays family members to care for a relative at home through Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver. Here is what it is called, who can be paid, what it pays, and how to get in.
New Hampshire at a glance
- Programs
- 3
- Reported pay
- $15–$22/hr
- Spouse paid?
- No
- Waitlist
- Varies
can pay a relative
set in the care plan
Who are you caring for in New Hampshire?
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
New Hampshire programs that pay family caregivers
This is Medicaid money — a real, ongoing benefit, not a grant or a one-off stipend. In New Hampshire it runs through:
- Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver
- PCAS
- In-Home Supports Waiver (children)
How it works: hybrid — participant hires/manages the caregiver but a financial management services agency handles payroll, taxes, background checks. The programs are administered by NH DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services (ADRC/ServiceLink 866-634-9412; DHHS Customer Services 844-275-3447); Granite State Independent Living runs PCAS intake (800-826-3700).
Is there CDPAP or IHSS in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The New Hampshire equivalent runs through Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, PCAS, In-Home Supports Waiver (children), 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 New Hampshire pays family caregivers
$15–$22/hr
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: New Hampshire Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Who can be paid in New Hampshire
- Adult child, grandchild, sibling, friend Yes
- Broadly allowed wherever the program lets the member choose their caregiver.
- Spouse Not right now
- no — none of New Hampshire's three programs pays a spouse: He-E 801.12(a)(6) (Choices for Independence), He-W 552.04(b)(3) (PCAS) and He-M 524.26(j) (In-Home Supports) all exclude spouses
- Parent of a minor child Sometimes
- limited — CFI/PCAS are adult programs; the In-Home Supports Waiver for children with DD can pay parents for some services when the child's dependency exceeds DD peers
How much does New Hampshire pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay in New Hampshire is around $15–$22/hr. reported $15–$22/hr for family caregivers.
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 New Hampshire caregiver pay page, and the national picture is in family caregiver pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist in New Hampshire?
Depends on the program. CFI: not an entitlement (~5,951 cap/yr), waitlist exists; PCAS: entitlement, no waitlist. Apply early either way — the Medicaid financial review and the care assessment take time even where there is no list.
Why New Hampshire pays family instead of an agency
303,300 people in New Hampshire — 22% of the state — are 65 or older, across 10 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 New Hampshire
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions show which New Hampshire program fits your family and what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + needs assessment
New Hampshire 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 Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver 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 via NH Easy online or a district DHHS office; ServiceLink/ADRC (866-634-9412) assists with CFI; for PCAS enroll in NH Medicaid then submit a Request for Services to Granite State Independent Living.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
New Hampshire caregiver program questions
What is the caregiver program in New Hampshire called?
In New Hampshire, family caregivers are paid through Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, PCAS, In-Home Supports Waiver (children). New Hampshire has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The New Hampshire equivalent runs through Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, PCAS, In-Home Supports Waiver (children), where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
Does New Hampshire have CDPAP or IHSS?
New Hampshire has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The New Hampshire equivalent runs through Choices for Independence (CFI) Waiver, PCAS, In-Home Supports Waiver (children), where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
How much does New Hampshire pay a family caregiver?
Reported pay is around $15–$22/hr. reported $15–$22/hr for family caregivers.
Can I get paid to take care of my spouse in New Hampshire?
no — none of New Hampshire's three programs pays a spouse: He-E 801.12(a)(6) (Choices for Independence), He-W 552.04(b)(3) (PCAS) and He-M 524.26(j) (In-Home Supports) all exclude spouses
Can a parent be paid to care for a disabled child in New Hampshire?
limited — CFI/PCAS are adult programs; the In-Home Supports Waiver for children with DD can pay parents for some services when the child's dependency exceeds DD peers
Is there a waitlist for the New Hampshire caregiver program?
CFI: not an entitlement (~5,951 cap/yr), waitlist exists; PCAS: entitlement, no waitlist
How do I apply to be a paid caregiver in New Hampshire?
Apply via NH Easy online or a district DHHS office; ServiceLink/ADRC (866-634-9412) assists with CFI; for PCAS enroll in NH Medicaid then submit a Request for Services to Granite State Independent Living.
Who runs the New Hampshire Medicaid caregiver program?
NH DHHS Bureau of Adult and Aging Services (ADRC/ServiceLink 866-634-9412; DHHS Customer Services 844-275-3447); Granite State Independent Living runs PCAS intake (800-826-3700).
Sources: dhhs.nh.gov · medicaidplanningassistance.org · medicaidplanningassistance.org · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most New Hampshire caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in New Hampshire — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border New Hampshire
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.