Ohio caregiver pay and support

Find a program that can help you care for a loved one.

Get what you need to keep caring.

We help you focus on what really matters–you and your loved one.

We'll help you jump all of the hurdles into state programs that pay family caregivers. If qualified, you can earn up to $1,700 per month, tax free.

If enrolled you'll get a plan, coach, and training to provide the best care you can. You and your loved ones can rest easy in good hands.

The fastest path to enrolling in a program in Ohio

Answer a handful of questions to check your eligibility without the clunky government websites.

If qualified, we'll be by your side to jump through the hurdles to get enrolled in the state program.

Once enrolled, you'll be invited to become a Givers caregiver and download our app to make your life easier.

Easily submit daily notes for proof of your work and review by your Givers care team.

Receive ongoing payment, coaching, and training so you can focus on being present with your loved one.

We exist to make caregiving easier

See the Givers difference.

>

How to become a paid caregiver for a family member in Ohio

Published on

Last updated

July 29, 2022

November 20, 2025

Reviewed by

Max Mayblum Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

Caring for a loved one is an important and challenging role, but there are programs in Ohio to help family caregivers like you get financial assistance for the work you do. This guide covers key programs, eligibility requirements, and how much you might earn as a family caregiver.

Get paid through Ohio Medicaid

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals. This includes families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Some states can offer extra services through Medicaid waiver programs. These waivers let states "waive" some federal rules to provide more specific support to specific groups of people, like those needing long-term care. In some states, these waiver programs are called CDPAP, Structured Family Caregiving (SFC), Adult Foster Care (AFC), or Coordinated Caregiving.

In OH, the following waivers offer the Structured Family Caregiving program, which supports and pays family caregivers:

• PASSPORT Waiver: This program provides supports and services to individuals with physical disabilities ages 60 years or older who meet a nursing facility level of care.

• MyCare Ohio: Managed Care Organizations that cover individuals who have both Medicare and Medicaid offer Structured Family Caregiving. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Next Generation MyCare program will consolidate to 4 plans: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CareSource, Molina, and Buckeye Health Plan.

• SELF Waiver: This program provides services to individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities ages 0 or older who meet an ICF/IID level of care.

Medicaid waiver programs can change over time, so it's important to consult the official Ohio Medicaid website or contact the Ohio Department of Health and Human Services for the most up-to-date info on available waivers, eligibility requirements, and the application process.

Frequently asked questions about Structured Family Caregiving in Ohio:

Key stats in your state

Source: AARP

Family caregivers: 1.5M

Hours spent per year: 1.37B

Annual unpaid care value: $21.0B

Get paid through Veterans Affairs

• Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): Provides a stipend of up to $2,750 per month, plus training, counseling, and respite services for primary caregivers of veterans seriously injured in the line of duty.

• Veteran Directed Care Program (VDC): Eligible veterans can hire family members as caregivers and pay them using a monthly care budget. Rates range from $8-$21 hourly, based on VA guidelines.

• Aid & Attendance (A&A) Pension: Provides up to $3,261 per month to cover care costs, including family caregivers. Eligibility depends on VA pension qualifications and a disability requirement.

• Housebound Allowance: Offers up to $1,882 per month to eligible veterans who are mostly homebound. Spouses cannot be paid as caregivers under this benefit.

Veterans, and the surviving spouses of veterans, have a few options to pay family caregivers

Get support through the Ohio Department of Aging

The Ohio Department of Human Services' Division of Aging and local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) help informal caregivers by connecting them to caregiver support programs that offer assistance for caregivers.

Key services include:

• Information & referrals: Find guidance on local resources and programs.

• Respite care: Get temporary relief so primary caregivers can rest.

• Caregiver training: Learn caregiving techniques and stress management.

• Support groups: Connect with other informal caregivers for advice and shared experiences.

• Access to benefits: Help with the application process for Medicaid services, transportation assistance, and home-based care services.

Get tax credit for caregiving

Tax credits can help offset caregiving expenses by reducing the amount of taxes you owe. Here are key tax benefits that may apply to family caregivers:

• Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCTC): This credit covers a percentage of care-related expenses incurred to allow you to work or look for work. Eligible caregivers may claim up to $3,000 for one dependent or $6,000 for two or more dependents if they pay an eligible third-party care services provider.

• Child Tax Credit (CTC): This federal credit provides financial assistance for families with dependent children (under 18). In 2023, it offers up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 18 years old. It doesn’t apply to caregiving for adults or elderly family members.

• Credit for Other Dependents (ODC): This credit is for dependents who don’t qualify for the Child Tax Credit, such as elderly parents, adult children with disabilities, or relatives who meet the IRS eligibility requirements for dependents. It offers up to $500 per dependent. To qualify, the dependent must live with you, rely on you financially, and have income below the IRS threshold.

Additionally, Ohio matches the federal tax credit up to 100%, which can equate to an extra $600 off your taxes.

In the 2021-2022 legislative session, the Ohio considered bill HB79 to create a tax credit that equal to 50% of a caregiver's care-related expenses. The nonrefundable tax credit could be worth up to $1,000. The bill is currently under consideration. Read more...

GET PAID AS A CAREGIVER

Givers supports and pays people who are caring for their loved ones.

Other ways to get paid as a family caregiver

Here are a few caregiver programs in your state that you may want to explore:

• Long-term care insurance: If your loved one has a long-term care insurance policy, it may allow funds to be directed to an informal caregiver. Contact the insurance company or agent to ask about caregiver benefits.

• Employer-sponsored caregiving leave: Some companies offer paid leave for employees to care for loved ones. Check with your Human Resources department to see if this benefit is available to you.

• Get paid by family: Families might find it more cost-effective to pay you for caregiving instead of hiring professional caregivers or using institutional care like nursing homes. If they agree to compensate you, consider creating a formal personal care agreement to outline the services and payment arrangements for clarity and legal purposes.
  ‍

Know your caregiver rights and resources

Laws and government programs in Ohio that provide support to informal caregivers include the following:

• CARE Act: The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, passed in over 40 US states, is intended to provide family caregivers of hospitalized patients with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and efficient transitions.

• Ohio Respite Coalition: The Ohio Respite Coalition is a statewide network that supports and promotes respite care services for family caregivers. They provide information, resources, and assistance in accessing respite care options, which offer temporary relief to caregivers by arranging for someone else to care for their loved ones.

© 2025 Givers, Inc. Givers® is a registered trademark of Givers, Inc. All rights reserved.