Can you get paid to care for a family member in Georgia?

Yes, through 3 programs we verified. In Georgia, an adult child or other relative who lives with an older or disabled family member can be paid a daily stipend through Structured Family Caregiving, part of the CCSP and SOURCE Medicaid waivers. Relatives can also be paid hourly for personal support in those waivers. Spouses, parents of minor children and legal guardians cannot be paid in these programs. The person receiving care must be enrolled in the waiver and need a nursing home level of care.

Which Georgia programs pay family caregivers?

Structured Family Caregiving (Elderly and Disabled Waiver: CCSP and SOURCE)

• Type: Structured family caregiving
• Who can be paid: A family caregiver related by blood or marriage who lives with the participant and provides full-time care. Spouses, parents of minor children and legal guardians cannot be paid. The caregiver receives a per diem stipend through an enrolled agency.
• Who qualifies for care: Older adults and adults with disabilities on Georgia's Elderly and Disabled Waiver (CCSP or SOURCE) who need significant help with daily activities and live with a family caregiver.

Personal Support Services (Elderly and Disabled Waiver: CCSP and SOURCE)

• Who can be paid: Family members other than spouses, parents of minor children, legal guardians and conservators, paid hourly for hands-on help.
• Who qualifies for care: People enrolled in the CCSP or SOURCE waiver who meet nursing home level of care and the waiver's financial rules.

Participant direction in the NOW and COMP waivers

• Type: Medicaid self-direction
• Who can be paid: Adult relatives such as siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, for adults, under exceptional circumstances. A spouse, a parent or guardian of a child, the legal guardian of an adult, or a relative who is the participant's representative cannot be paid.
• Who qualifies for care: People with intellectual or developmental disabilities enrolled in the New Options (NOW) or Comprehensive Supports (COMP) waiver through DBHDD.

Are there national programs too?

Yes. Veterans may qualify for VA programs that pay or support family caregivers: Veteran Directed Care and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

What should you confirm with the state?

The hourly Personal Support Services family-caregiver rules come from the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, not the Medicaid agency. Confirm with your care coordinator or the ADRC (1-866-552-4464).