Illinois · IL
How to get paid to care for a family member in Illinois
In Illinois, the main path is Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant.1 Illinois Medicaid waiver customer (Persons with Disabilities, Brain Injury, or HIV/AIDS waivers) with an approved service plan.1 No statewide caregiver pay rate is published on the official pages we reviewed. Pay is set within the program budget or program rules. Ask the program or its payroll agency for the rate in writing.1
- Official sources
- Last verified Oct 20, 2026
- Independent site, not a government agency
Written by Luis Fernando Garcia
Reviewed against official sources Last verified 6 official sources cited
Key facts
- Program
- Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant1
- Who can be paid
- Customers may hire a family member as a Personal Assistant. Spouses and other legally responsible individuals may be paid only for documented extraordinary care, up to 40 hours a week, as Individual Providers.1
- Spouse
- Yes, extraordinary care only1
- Pay
- No statewide caregiver pay rate is published on the official pages we reviewed. Pay is set within the program budget or program rules. Ask the program or its payroll agency for the rate in writing.1
Programs in Illinois
| Program | Type | Eligibility summary | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant | HCBS self-directed | Illinois Medicaid waiver customer (Persons with Disabilities, Brain Injury, or HIV/AIDS waivers) with an approved service plan. | Official page1 |
| VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers | VA | For eligible Veterans with a 70% or higher VA disability rating. See VA stipend. | va.gov3 |
Is there IHSS or CDPAP in Illinois?
No. IHSS is California's In-Home Supportive Services program5 and CDPAP is New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program6. Illinois does not use those names. The comparable path on the Illinois official source is Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant.1
How to apply
- Contact IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services about the Home Services Program.1
- Work with the DRS counselor on the service plan and hiring.1
- Choose the self-directed option and enroll your worker with the payroll (financial management) agency.1
- The worker completes background checks and any required training before starting.1
Your Illinois application checklist
Use this list to track the official steps. It does not decide eligibility. Only the agency decides who qualifies. Applying through the state is free.
Have ready before you call
Frequently asked questions
Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in Illinois?
Possibly, if the person receiving care qualifies. Home Services Program (HSP), Personal Assistant: Customers may hire a family member as a Personal Assistant. Spouses and other legally responsible individuals may be paid only for documented extraordinary care, up to 40 hours a week, as Individual Providers.
How much does Illinois pay family caregivers?
No statewide caregiver pay rate is published on the official pages we reviewed. Pay is set within the program budget or program rules. Ask the program or its payroll agency for the rate in writing.
Can a spouse be paid in Illinois?
What the official source says: Yes, extraordinary care only. Confirm with the program before you rely on it.
Who decides if we qualify?
Only the state agency or health plan decides. This site cannot approve anyone or promise eligibility.
Sources
- https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx/?item=158178Official
- https://hfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/hfs/sitecollectiondocuments/mco065drswaiverslegallyresponsibleindividuals.pdfOfficial
- VA PCAFC: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/Official
- USA.gov: https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiverOfficial
- California CDSS, IHSS: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-servicesOfficial
- New York DOH, CDPAP: https://health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/cdpap/Official
Last verified