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Ohio · OH

How to get paid to care for a family member in Ohio

In Ohio, the main path is PASSPORT Participant Direction.1 Enrolled in the PASSPORT waiver.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

Limited official detail was available for this state. We show only what the official page states.

  • Official sources
  • Last verified Oct 20, 2026
  • Independent site, not a government agency
An adult son and daughter help their mother, who uses a wheelchair, with her medicine in the kitchen

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Reviewed against official sources Last verified 6 official sources cited

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Key facts

Program
PASSPORT Participant Direction1
Who can be paid
A participant can hire a family member. A spouse or relative with legal authority may be paid only if Ohio rule 5160-44-32 conditions are met, generally capped at 40 hours a week.1
Spouse
Yes, under OAC 5160-44-321
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
Key facts: Ohio. Program: PASSPORT Participant Direction. Spouse: Yes, under OAC 5160-44-32. Pay: No single published rate.
Source: dam.assets.ohio.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Programs in Ohio

Ohio programs that may pay a family caregiver
ProgramTypeEligibility summarySource
PASSPORT Participant DirectionHCBS self-directedEnrolled in the PASSPORT waiver.Official page1
VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family CaregiversVAFor eligible Veterans with a 70% or higher VA disability rating. See VA stipend.va.gov3

Is there IHSS or CDPAP in Ohio?

No. IHSS is California's In-Home Supportive Services program5 and CDPAP is New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program6. Ohio does not use those names. The comparable path on the Ohio official source is PASSPORT Participant Direction.1

How to apply

  1. Contact your Area Agency on Aging about PASSPORT.1
  2. Ask to use participant direction and enroll with the FMS.1
  3. Choose the self-directed option and enroll your worker with the payroll (financial management) agency.1
  4. The worker completes background checks and any required training before starting.1
Steps to apply: 1. Contact your Area Agency on Aging about PASSPORT. 2. Ask to use participant direction and enroll with the FMS. 3. Choose the self-directed option and enroll your worker with the payroll (financial management) agency. 4. The worker completes background checks and any required training before starting.
Source: dam.assets.ohio.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Your Ohio 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.

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Want a step by step plan? See the Application Plan Kit

Frequently asked questions

Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in Ohio?

Possibly, if the person receiving care qualifies. PASSPORT Participant Direction: A participant can hire a family member. A spouse or relative with legal authority may be paid only if Ohio rule 5160-44-32 conditions are met, generally capped at 40 hours a week.

How much does Ohio 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 Ohio?

What the official source says: Yes, under OAC 5160-44-32. 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

  1. https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/aging.ohio.gov/Participant_Direction_Provider_Application_User_Guide.pdfOfficial
  2. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-5160-44-32Official
  3. VA PCAFC: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/Official
  4. USA.gov: https://www.usa.gov/disability-caregiverOfficial
  5. California CDSS, IHSS: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/in-home-supportive-servicesOfficial
  6. New York DOH, CDPAP: https://health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/longterm/cdpap/Official

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