Can Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Maryland?

Date Updated: July 26, 2024

Written by:

Rachel Lustbader

Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.

Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers

Family members can’t get paid for caregiving in Maryland. However, the state offers several options for financial assistance for adult family members who provide in-home care for their parents, grandparents, or adults living with disabilities. While the eligibility requirements vary, there are some programs and waivers that offer support to family caregivers who live in Maryland.

In a recent study, AARP found that nearly eight in 10 U.S. family caregivers pay out-of-pocket expenses to care for their loved ones, an average total of over $7,200 annually. In many cases, family members spend 26% of their personal income to ensure their parents or grandparents can age in place. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average hourly rate for nonmedical home care is $27 in Maryland. However, some state resources such as Medicare, Medicaid and veterans’ benefits can help caregivers with this financial burden.

Medicare vs. Medicaid

While Medicare doesn’t usually offer financial assistance for long-term family caregivers, it does offer support and funding for training, case management and rehabilitation for seniors who live independently.

Family caregivers can get some financial relief from paying out-of-pocket expenses to care for loved ones who receive Medicaid benefits. The state offers a waiver for qualifying seniors who are aging in place. The waiver provides support for Community First Choice, behavior consultation services, case management and medical day care. For more information about Medicaid waivers to cover some costs associated with in-home care, contact 1-877-463-3464.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans Affairs provides financial assistance to cover some costs associated with caring for someone who has served in the U.S. military. In addition to a veteran’s monthly pension, there are other available benefits to help pay for daily living activities or personal care services while aging in place. Senior veterans of all ages and income levels can use Veteran Directed Care to pay for long-term family caregivers. However, they must provide proof of clinical care needs and live in designated areas to qualify for home and community-based services. Veterans Affairs also offers financial assistance for independent older adults to pay for family caregivers through the Aid and Attendance and Housebound Allowance benefits. To apply for these monthly payments, senior veterans or their surviving spouses must be homebound because of a permanent disability with proof of personal care needs. Monthly payments must be used for expenses associated with daily living activities and the cost of family caregiver in-home care assistance. For senior veterans who sustained permanent or long-term disabilities in the line of duty, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers offers funding for in-home care. This benefit helps to pay for daily living activities such as travel costs and caregiver education. For more information, contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Geriatrics and Extended Care or VA Caregiver Support Program.