Can a spouse be paid?
YesYes — Oregon can pay you to care for your spouse.
The fine print: yes — spouses can be hired under ICP and the dedicated Spousal Pay Program (spouse must enroll as a provider with the Oregon Home Care Commission)
Free toolSee what Oregon pays →
Get paid as a family caregiver in Oregon
Oregon runs real Medicaid programs that pay family members to care for a loved one at home. Here is what they pay, who can be paid, and how to start.
Oregon at a glance
- Aged 65+
- 850,800
- Counties
- 36
- Programs
- 3
- Spouse pay
- Yes
20% of the state
each with its own page
that can pay a relative
see the full rule below
- 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 Oregon pays family caregivers
$21.25–$25.25/hr
Source: Oregon Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Waitlist in Oregon
Some programs here have no waitlist. Others can have one.
ICP: not an entitlement — waitlist can form when slots fill; Spousal Pay Program is an entitlement with no waitlist
The two big questions
Can a parent be paid for a child?
SometimesSometimes — special programs for children may pay parents.
The fine print: limited — parents of minors historically excluded; new Children's Extraordinary Needs Waiver (2024) pays parents up to 20 hrs/wk but capped at 155 families (230 from 7/1/2026)
Oregon's programs
Run by: Oregon Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) — 800-282-8096
Independent Choices Program (ICP)
A program that can pay a family member for care at home.
2-min check →Spousal Pay Program
A program that can pay a family member for care at home.
2-min check →Consumer-Employed Provider program
A program that can pay a family member for care at home.
2-min check →How to apply in Oregon
Check your match — 2 minutes, free.
Our quick check tells you which programs fit your family before you talk to anyone.
Start the state application.
Contact the local Area Agency on Aging / APD office or call ODHS at 800-282-8096 (ADRC 1-855-673-2372) to request an assessment and ask for Independent Choices or Spousal Pay.
We help at every step.
Forms, phone calls, the enrollment visit — we walk you through it all, free.
Oregon questions, answered honestly
Is this legit?
Yes. These are real Medicaid programs run by the state. In Oregon, they are overseen by the Oregon Department of Human Services. We help you enroll — applying costs you nothing.
Why would the government pay me?
Care at home costs Medicaid far less than a nursing home. So states pay family members to give that care at home. It's good for your loved one, and it's the law working the way it should.
Can I get paid to care for my spouse in Oregon?
Yes — Oregon can pay you to care for your spouse. The fine print: yes — spouses can be hired under ICP and the dedicated Spousal Pay Program (spouse must enroll as a provider with the Oregon Home Care Commission)
Can I get paid to care for my child in Oregon?
Sometimes — special programs for children may pay parents. The fine print: limited — parents of minors historically excluded; new Children's Extraordinary Needs Waiver (2024) pays parents up to 20 hrs/wk but capped at 155 families (230 from 7/1/2026)
How much do family caregivers get paid in Oregon?
Family caregivers here typically earn $21.25–$25.25/hr.
Is there a waitlist?
Some programs here have no waitlist. Others can have one. Details: ICP: not an entitlement — waitlist can form when slots fill; Spousal Pay Program is an entitlement with no waitlist
Do I have to work for an agency?
It depends on the program. In Oregon: fully self-directed — participant is the employer; fiscal-agency help optional under ICP; Spousal Pay caregivers need an OHCC provider number
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · medicaidplanningassistance.org · oregon.gov · Updated September 2026. Program rules change — always confirm with the program.
Browse Oregon by county
The programs are the same across Oregon. Pick your county to see how they work where you live.
Guides
For Oregon families
Start with the Oregon caregiver program, then read how the pieces fit together.
Across the line
States that border Oregon
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.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.