The West Virginia caregiver program
West Virginia pays family members to care for a relative at home through Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options. Here is what it is called, who can be paid, what it pays, and how to get in.
West Virginia at a glance
- Programs
- 1
- Reported pay
- Varies
- Spouse paid?
- No
- Waitlist
- Varies
can pay a relative
set in the care plan
Who are you caring for in West Virginia?
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
West Virginia programs that pay family caregivers
This is Medicaid money — a real, ongoing benefit, not a grant or a one-off stipend. In West Virginia it runs through:
- Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options
How it works: no home-care agency under Personal Options; a financial management services agency is required — Palco (WV Personal Options FMS since 2024; previously PPL/Public Partnerships). The programs are administered by WV Bureau of Senior Services (operates ADW) under the Dept. of Human Services / Bureau for Medical Services; 1-866-767-1575 or 304-558-3317.
Is there CDPAP or IHSS in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The West Virginia equivalent runs through Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options, 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 West Virginia pays family caregivers
Rates vary — check with the program.
Your exact pay is set by the program and your care plan. We'll tell you your real number before you enroll.
Source: West Virginia Medicaid program data · Updated September 2026
Who can be paid in West Virginia
- 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 legal guardian is excluded' (ex-spouses allowed)
- Parent of a minor child Not right now
- no for this program — ADW serves ages 18+ only; no minor-child pathway via ADW
How much does West Virginia pay a family caregiver?
West Virginia does not publish one flat rate. set by the participant within their monthly budget; must be at least WV minimum wage ($8.75 as of 2024 per medicaidplanningassistance.org); capped by Medicaid regulation.
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 West Virginia caregiver pay page, and the national picture is in family caregiver pay rates by state.
Is there a waitlist in West Virginia?
Waitlist possible. yes but short — waiver capped (~8,750 slots); state reports average waitlist time last fiscal year was ~44 days, application process averages ~56 days. Apply early either way — the Medicaid financial review and the care assessment take time even where there is no list.
Why West Virginia pays family instead of an agency
387,400 people in West Virginia — 22% of the state — are 65 or older, across 55 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 West Virginia
- 2 minutes
Check eligibility
Five questions show which West Virginia program fits your family and what it pays.
- usually weeks
Medicaid + needs assessment
West Virginia 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 Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options 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: Doctor completes a Medical Necessity Evaluation Request (MNER) and submits it to Acentra Health-ADW; financial eligibility application goes through the county DoHS (DHHR) office first.
Find out in 2 minutes
Answer 5 easy questions. See your programs and pay before you share any contact info.
West Virginia caregiver program questions
What is the caregiver program in West Virginia called?
In West Virginia, family caregivers are paid through Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options. West Virginia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The West Virginia equivalent runs through Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
Does West Virginia have CDPAP or IHSS?
West Virginia has no program called CDPAP or IHSS — those are New York's and California's names. The West Virginia equivalent runs through Aged & Disabled Waiver — Personal Options, where the person receiving care can direct their own services and, in most cases, hire a relative.
How much does West Virginia pay a family caregiver?
West Virginia does not publish one flat rate. set by the participant within their monthly budget; must be at least WV minimum wage ($8.75 as of 2024 per medicaidplanningassistance.org); capped by Medicaid regulation.
Can I get paid to take care of my spouse in West Virginia?
no — 'a spouse or legal guardian is excluded' (ex-spouses allowed)
Can a parent be paid to care for a disabled child in West Virginia?
no for this program — ADW serves ages 18+ only; no minor-child pathway via ADW
Is there a waitlist for the West Virginia caregiver program?
yes but short — waiver capped (~8,750 slots); state reports average waitlist time last fiscal year was ~44 days, application process averages ~56 days
How do I apply to be a paid caregiver in West Virginia?
Doctor completes a Medical Necessity Evaluation Request (MNER) and submits it to Acentra Health-ADW; financial eligibility application goes through the county DoHS (DHHR) office first.
Who runs the West Virginia Medicaid caregiver program?
WV Bureau of Senior Services (operates ADW) under the Dept. of Human Services / Bureau for Medical Services; 1-866-767-1575 or 304-558-3317.
Sources: adwprogram.wv.gov · medicaidplanningassistance.org · palcofirst.com · Updated September 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the program.
Where most West Virginia caregivers are
Counties with the most residents aged 65 and older. The rules are the same everywhere in West Virginia — pick yours for the local picture.
Across the line
States that border West Virginia
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.