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Frequently Asked Questions

Paid Family Caregiving in Ohio

Understanding how to get paid for caring for a family member can be confusing. This guide is designed to answer common questions about Ohio's paid family caregiving programs available through Medicaid waivers.

The first step is for your loved one to qualify for and enroll in an Ohio Medicaid waiver program, such as PASSPORT, the Ohio Home Care Waiver, or MyCare Ohio. Once enrolled, you, as the caregiver, would be hired by a state-approved home care agency that administers these programs. This agency, such as Momba Home Care, will handle your training, support, and compensation.

This is a key question, and the answer depends entirely on the program:

  • For most hourly services (like Personal Care Assistance under the PASSPORT waiver), spouses are generally not eligible to be paid.
  • The main exception is the Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program. SFC is specifically designed to allow spouses and other family members who live with the care recipient to be paid, provided certain strict state conditions are met to ensure the health and safety of your loved one.

Payment models and rates vary depending on the program your loved one is enrolled in:

  • Hourly Pay: For services like Personal Care Assistance (PCA), caregivers are typically paid an hourly rate, which starts at $16 per hour.
  • Stipend: The Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) program offers a stipend for caregivers who live with their loved one. This starts at $60 a day/ $420 per week ( around $1,800 per month) with specific daily rates based on the level of care required.

Ohio primarily offers two different models for paid family caregiving through its waiver programs:

  • Personal Care Assistance (PCA): This is an hourly service provided through waivers like PASSPORT. A caregiver assists with daily activities for a set number of hours per week. This model generally excludes spouses from being paid caregivers.
  • Structured Family Caregiving (SFC): This is a more comprehensive, stipend-based program for caregivers who live in the same home as the person receiving care. It acknowledges the constant level of support required and is the primary pathway for spouses to be legally paid for their caregiving efforts.

Yes. Ohio Medicaid funds waiver programs that allow family members to be paid. However, the payment is made indirectly. Medicaid pays an approved home care agency, and that agency then pays you as an employee for the care you provide.

Eligibility involves requirements for both the person receiving care and the caregiver:

  • For the Care Recipient (Your Loved One):
    • Must be an Ohio resident and eligible for Medicaid.
    • Must meet a “nursing facility level of care,” meaning they need significant help with daily activities.
    • Must meet the age requirements for the specific waiver (e.g., PASSPORT is generally for individuals aged 60 or older).
  • For the Family Caregiver:
    • Must be an adult (typically 18+).
    • Must be willing to be hired, trained, and paid by a home care agency.
    • Must pass any required background checks.
    • For SFC, the caregiver must reside in the same home as the care recipient.

Paid family caregivers are essential in helping loved ones with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). Based on a personalized care plan, this can include:

  • Bathing, dressing, and grooming
  • Meal preparation and feeding
  • Mobility and transferring
  • Toileting
  • Medication reminders
  • Light housekeeping and errands

 

Important Note: The rules and availability of these programs can be complex. Contacting a knowledgeable home care agency like Momba Home Care is the best way to get personalized advice and find out which program is the best fit for your family’s situation.

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