Thousands of Pennsylvania family members devote countless hours every week to caring for an aging parent, spouse, or disabled relative—often while managing jobs and their own families. A question we hear every day at Pavan Homecare is: 'Can I get paid by the state to take care of my loved one?' The answer is a resounding YES.
Pennsylvania's primary mechanism for paying family caregivers is the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Medicaid Waiver program. Under the CHC waiver, eligible seniors who require assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, meal prep, mobility) are allocated approved caregiving hours each week.
Instead of forcing families to use outside caregivers, the program allows participants to designate trusted family members—such as adult daughters, sons, grandchildren, or close friends—as their formal, compensated caregivers (under PA regulations, legal spouses and power of attorney holders cannot be paid, but other relatives qualify).
How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid in PA? In Pennsylvania, family caregivers employed through a licensed agency like Pavan Homecare generally earn between $15 and $22 per hour depending on approved waiver rates, with direct weekly or bi-weekly payroll, workers' compensation protection, and payroll tax management taken care of.
How to Get Started: 1) The senior must complete an assessment through the PA Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB) or their designated CHC Managed Care Organization (such as PA Health & Wellness, UPMC Community HealthChoices, or AmeriHealth Caritas). 2) Once approved for care hours, the participant selects Pavan Homecare as their licensed home care agency provider. 3) Pavan Homecare completes rapid onboarding, background clearances, and payroll setup for the family caregiver.
At Pavan Homecare, our dedicated waiver coordination team guides families step-by-step through the application and enrollment process at zero out-of-pocket cost. Call us at (215) 436-9499 or contact us online to find out if your family qualifies today.
Have questions about in-home care?
Our care coordinators are here to assist with assessments, Medicaid waivers, and custom schedules.