Getting paid to care for family.

Yes, family members can be paid caregivers

One of the most common questions we get isn't about eligibility for care — it's whether the person providing that care can actually get paid for it. Under CDPAP, the answer is yes for most family relationships, with a few specific exceptions written into the program rules.

Who can be paid, and who can't

• Adult children, siblings, and other relatives can generally be hired as the paid caregiver
• Spouses and parents of minor children can be paid caregivers under CDPAP, which is a meaningful difference from traditional home care
• Legally responsible relatives caring for a minor are typically excluded, since that care is already presumed under family responsibility
• The designated representative directing care, if different from the recipient, generally cannot also be the paid caregiver

How the pay itself works

The caregiver is formally employed through a fiscal intermediary — Siamo handles this role — which means payroll taxes, workers' compensation, and wage compliance are handled the way they would be for any employer. The caregiver logs hours against the approved care plan, and those hours are paid at the program's established wage rate for the region.

Families are often surprised that this is legitimate paid employment, not a stipend or reimbursement. It comes with a pay stub, tax withholding, and the same protections as any other job.

What this means day to day

In practice, it means the person already doing the driving to appointments, the meal prep, and the overnight check-ins can be compensated for time that was previously unpaid labor — without changing who's actually in the home providing that care.