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Pennsylvania · PA

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

In Pennsylvania, the main path is Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services.1 The person must be enrolled in Community HealthChoices and approved for home and community-based waiver services. A Service Coordinator helps set up the service plan.1 Pennsylvania DHS does not publish one statewide hourly rate for participant-directed workers on the pages we reviewed. Check with the CHC managed care plan and the financial management services provider.1

  • Official sources
  • Last verified Oct 20, 2026
  • Independent site, not a government agency
An older woman comforts her husband on the sofa

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Reviewed against official sources Last verified 6 official sources cited

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Key facts

Program
Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services1
Who can be paid
Relatives who meet provider qualifications can be hired. The CHC waiver excludes a spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney from being paid.1
Spouse
No1
Pay
Pennsylvania DHS does not publish one statewide hourly rate for participant-directed workers on the pages we reviewed. Check with the CHC managed care plan and the financial management services provider.1
Key facts: Pennsylvania. Program: Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services. Spouse: No. Pay: No single published rate.
Source: pa.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania programs that may pay a family caregiver
ProgramTypeEligibility summarySource
Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed servicesHCBS self-directedThe person must be enrolled in Community HealthChoices and approved for home and community-based waiver services. A Service Coordinator helps set up the service plan.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 Pennsylvania?

No. IHSS is California's In-Home Supportive Services program5 and CDPAP is New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program6. Pennsylvania does not use those names. The comparable path on the Pennsylvania official source is Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services.1

How to apply

  1. Apply for Medicaid long-term services through Pennsylvania DHS.1
  2. Once enrolled in CHC, ask the Service Coordinator for participant direction.1
  3. Choose employer authority to hire your own worker.1
  4. The worker enrolls with the financial management services provider.1
Steps to apply: 1. Apply for Medicaid long-term services through Pennsylvania DHS. 2. Once enrolled in CHC, ask the Service Coordinator for participant direction. 3. Choose employer authority to hire your own worker. 4. The worker enrolls with the financial management services provider.
Source: pa.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

Possibly, if the person receiving care qualifies. Community HealthChoices (CHC) participant-directed services: Relatives who meet provider qualifications can be hired. The CHC waiver excludes a spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney from being paid.

How much does Pennsylvania pay family caregivers?

Pennsylvania DHS does not publish one statewide hourly rate for participant-directed workers on the pages we reviewed. Check with the CHC managed care plan and the financial management services provider.

Can a spouse be paid in Pennsylvania?

What the official source says: No. 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://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/contact/dhs-offices/documents/oltl/oltl-waivers/2026-chc-waiver/2026-01-28-chc-1915c-appendix-e.pdfOfficial
  2. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/contact/dhs-offices/documents/oltl/oltl-waivers/2026-chc-waiver/2026-01-28-chc-1915c-service-definitions.pdfOfficial
  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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