Can I get paid to care for my spouse in Pennsylvania?
Not directly in Pennsylvania today — but read on.
Pennsylvania's programs generally will not pay a husband or wife directly — the old Medicaid rules treat a spouse's care as a family duty rather than a job. That is not the end of it. Other relatives usually can be paid, and the rules do change.
Who can be paid instead
- An adult son or daughter — the most common paid caregiver in every state.
- A sibling, a grandchild, a niece or nephew, or an in-law.
- A close friend or neighbor, in most self-directed programs.
- A spouse in a different program year — Pennsylvania's rules are reviewed regularly, and we watch them.
What Pennsylvania pays family caregivers
$13–$19/hr
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: Pennsylvania Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
What Pennsylvania's rule actually says
no — spouses and legal guardians cannot be paid; other relatives incl. adult children and parents of adult (21+) disabled children can
The programs this runs through in Pennsylvania: Community HealthChoices (CHC), Services My Way, OBRA Waiver. Who runs them: PA Department of Human Services, Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) — CHC Participant Hotline 1-833-735-4416
2.7 million people in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Call the PA Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 (or its online Community Referral Form) to start CHC eligibility; then choose participant-direction/Services My Way with your MCO service coordinator.
self-directed with a mandatory fiscal intermediary — Tempus Unlimited is the statewide FMS for CHC/Services My Way
See if you qualify →Spouse questions in Pennsylvania, answered
Can I get paid to care for my husband or wife in Pennsylvania?
Generally not directly. The published rule: no — spouses and legal guardians cannot be paid; other relatives incl. adult children and parents of adult (21+) disabled children can Other relatives can usually be paid, and that is worth checking.
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 Pennsylvania?
Reported pay in Pennsylvania runs around $13–$19/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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
limited enrollment slots (~181,848/yr); waitlist can form when full
How do we start?
Call the PA Independent Enrollment Broker at 1-877-550-4227 (or its online Community Referral Form) to start CHC eligibility; then choose participant-direction/Services My Way with your MCO service coordinator.
Sources: medicaidplanningassistance.org · pa.tempusunlimited.org · pa.tempusunlimited.org · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most Pennsylvania caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in Pennsylvania — 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.