5 ways to get paid caring for a loved one in
Wisconsin
Published on
July 29, 2022
Caring for a loved one is an important and challenging role, but there are programs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 WI, the following waivers are available with a caregiver pay option:
- Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Program: This program provides supports and services to individuals with physical and other disabilities, with serious emotional disturbance, with autism, with intellectual disabilities, or with developmental disabilities ages 0-21 years who meet a hospital, nursing facility, or ICF/IID level of care.
- Family Care Waiver: This program provides support services to individuals ages 65 or older, individuals with physical or other disabilities ages 18-64 years, and individuals with developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities ages 18 or older who meet a nursing facility or ICF/IID level of care.
- IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) Waiver: This program provides services to individuals 65 or older, individuals with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities ages 18 or older, and individuals with physical disabilities ages 18-64 years who meet a nursing facility or ICF/IID level of care.
can you get paid?
Who are you caring for?
Medicaid waiver programs can change over time, so it's important to consult the official Wisconsin Medicaid website or contact the Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services for the most up-to-date info on available waivers, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
How much do family members get paid by Medicaid for caregiving?
The amount you can be paid through Medicaid varies based on a few things:
- Medicaid program rules: Each state runs different Medicaid programs, such as Structured Family Caregiving, consumer-directed services, or personal care services, each with its own pay structure.
- Local wage rates: Pay is often tied to home care wages in your state and county.
- Level of care required: Higher pay may be available for caregivers providing complex medical or personal care.
Typical pay rate
In many states, Medicaid pays family caregivers between $10 and $20 per hour, though rates can be higher in areas with higher costs of living or for caregivers providing skilled care. Some programs pay caregivers as a stipend, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per month depending on the state and care needs.
Steps to become a paid family caregiver through Medicaid
Use the Givers matching tool
Start by using our
free program matching tool to find programs in your zip code that offer caregiver pay options. If you’re eligible for a program we support, we’ll help you submit your initial referral.
Work with case managers through enrollment
If appropriate, you and your loved one will need to work with a dedicated case management agency to determine care needs and eligibility for in-home care. The managing agency will help arrange this as part of the application process.
Complete program-specific requirements
If approved, you’ll need to meet any program-specific requirements, such as passing a background check, health exam, trainings, or competency tests.
Provide care and document your work
Start providing care according to the program’s guidelines. Keep accurate records of caregiving tasks, hours worked, and other required documentation to stay compliant.
Receive support and payment
Support and payment will be provided by Givers or your selected agency.
Annual unpaid care value:
$9.2B
Get paid through Veterans Affairs
Veterans, and the surviving spouses of veterans, have a few options to pay family caregivers.
- 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.
Get support through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The Georgia 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, Wisconsin matches the federal tax credit up to , which can equate to an extra off your taxes.
The Wisconsin House is currently considering Governor Evers' proposed use of budget surplus to create a tax credit for family caregivers. LRB-5877 would create a tax credit that equal to 50% of a caregiver's care-related expenses. The tax credit could be worth up to $500 for caregivers. 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.
See If You're EligibleOther 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 Wisconsin that provide support to informal caregivers include the following:
- Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): Under the Wisconsin FMLA, eligible employees have the right to take unpaid leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This law helps protect caregivers' job security while they attend to their family members' health needs.
- Background Check and Misconduct Investigation Program: This program ensures the safety of vulnerable people by conducting thorough background checks on caregivers and investigating any allegations of misconduct in all settings (treatment facilities, in home, assisted living, etc).
