Pennsylvania Caregiver Payment Programs
Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in PA
If you live in Pittsburgh or Allegheny County and have been caring for an aging parent or disabled family member, you may qualify for a Pennsylvania program that pays you directly for that work — often at no cost to your family.
- PA Licensed
- 24/7 Available
- Vetted Caregivers
- Free Assessment
- LTC Insurance OK
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Care for Your Family While Earning an Income
What this is
If you’re already taking care of your mom, dad, husband, wife, grandparent, or another loved one, Pennsylvania has programs that may pay you for that work. You don’t have to choose between earning a living and being there for your family.
Mary Angels Home Care is a licensed Pittsburgh agency that helps adult children, siblings, grandchildren, friends, and trusted neighbors get hired and paid as Direct Care Workers through the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver, OBRA Waiver, and the VA Veteran-Directed Care program. We handle the paperwork, training, payroll, taxes, and insurance — you provide the care.
How It Works
Become a paid family caregiver in 4 simple steps
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Your loved one must be enrolled in (or eligible for) Pennsylvania Medicaid and need help with daily activities — bathing, dressing, mobility, meals, or medication reminders. We check eligibility at no cost.
- 2
Choose Mary Angels
After enrolling in the CHC, OBRA, or VA program, your loved one selects a home care agency — they choose Mary Angels and name you as their family caregiver.
- 3
Training & onboarding
Complete background checks, caregiver onboarding, CPR certification, and Direct Care Worker training. We guide every step and cover the training costs.
- 4
Start caring & getting paid
Keep caring for the person you love. We handle payroll, taxes, workers' comp, and reporting while you receive weekly direct-deposit pay.
You Provide the Care. We Handle the Rest.
Focus on your loved one — we take care of the paperwork
From eligibility checks and onboarding to payroll, taxes, workers’ compensation, and compliance, Mary Angels Home Care supports family caregivers at every step. You keep doing what you already do — caring for the person you love.
Pennsylvania Caregiver Programs
Programs that pay family caregivers
Three Pennsylvania programs let families get paid for the care they already provide.
Community HealthChoices (CHC) Waiver
Pennsylvania's main managed long-term care program for adults 21+ with physical disabilities and seniors 60+ who need nursing-home-level care but want to stay home.
- Operated through three plans: Keystone First CHC (AmeriHealth Caritas), PA Health & Wellness, and UPMC Community HealthChoices
- Pays family Direct Care Workers (not spouses)
OBRA Waiver
For adults aged 18–59 with severe developmental physical disabilities who need an Intermediate Care Facility level of care.
- Pays family caregivers and personal assistants
- Some restrictions on which family members can be paid
VA Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)
If your loved one is a U.S. veteran enrolled in VA healthcare and needs help at home, VDC may let them hire family members — including spouses in some cases — as paid caregivers.
- The VA pays the agency, and the agency pays you
Eligibility
Who can get paid as a family caregiver
Most family relationships qualify under the CHC and OBRA Waivers. You can usually get paid if you are the:
- Adult child of the person needing care
- Sibling, grandchild, niece, or nephew
- Parent or stepparent of an adult child needing care
- In-law (son-, daughter-, mother-, or father-in-law)
- Domestic partner or trusted friend
- Veteran's spouse, child, or chosen caregiver (VA VDC program only)
Caregiver Pay
How much does Pennsylvania pay family caregivers?
Direct Care Worker wages, depending on the program, plan, and level of care.
Mary Angels handles payroll, taxes, workers’ compensation, and PTO accrual. Some clients qualify for expanded care plans, including live-in and higher-hour budgets.
Why Families Choose Mary Angels
A trusted partner for Pennsylvania family caregivers
Licensed, insured & PA-approved
An active Direct Care Worker agency contracted with all three CHC plans — Keystone First CHC, PA Health & Wellness, and UPMC Community HealthChoices.
We handle the paperwork
Enrollment, training, payroll, taxes, and timesheet submission to the MCO. You provide the care.
Bilingual support — English & Español
Hablamos Español. Many families navigate Pennsylvania Medicaid in Spanish, and our team supports you in both languages.
One-on-one coordinator
You're not bounced between operators — a real person walks you and your loved one through every step.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I get paid to care for my elderly parent in Pennsylvania?
Does my parent have to be on Medicaid to qualify?
Can a spouse be a paid caregiver under these programs?
How do I start the process in Allegheny County?
What if I am burning out as a family caregiver?
Does Mary Angels Home Care help with CHC or waiver paperwork?
Still have questions? We’ll answer them in a 10-minute call.
Call 412-900-9354Free · No obligation
Request your free in-home assessment
Tell us a little about your loved one and we’ll walk you through your options. A care coordinator will reach out — usually the same day.
- PA Licensed
- Care available 24/7
- Family & women-owned
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Find out in 10 minutes if you can get paid to care for your loved one
Tell us about your situation and we'll review your eligibility — free, with no obligation.