Can Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Ohio?

Family members can get paid for caregiving in Ohio. Seniors must meet eligibility guidelines, and only certain family members can receive compensation for in-home care for their loved one. Ohio seniors on Medicaid can investigate the Home Care Waiver and PASSPORT Program to determine if they can pay a family member for caregiving.

Ohio seniors on Medicaid may be eligible for the Ohio Home Care Waiver, which can be used to cover the expenses of a home care attendant or personal care aide. These seniors must meet financial eligibility requirements for Medicaid. A case manager then evaluates the level of care required to help determine whether that care can be provided in the home. This program is administered on a county-by-county basis, and the definition of a caregiver may vary. Some counties don’t allow spouses to be paid for caregiving, but other family caregivers may be able to be paid for in-home care services.

Ohio’s PASSPORT Program is another way to pay family members for caregiving services. This Medicaid waiver program aims to give seniors the care they need in a home setting instead of in a long-term care facility. A preadmission screening determines eligibility. The senior must be eligible to be on Medicaid to qualify for the waiver. If approved, a case manager evaluates the senior’s needs to determine the best in-home care options.

This program has a consumer-directed service option that allows the senior to choose who provides care. They can choose Choices Home-Care Attendant Service or Personal Care Services. In some cases, family members may be eligible to be care providers if they complete the required training and participate in ongoing continuing education. Approved care providers are paid the state-contracted hourly pay rate through the waiver program.