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Rhode Island · RI

How to get paid to care for a family member in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the main path is Personal Choice Program.1 Qualifies for Medicaid LTSS at the high or highest level of care.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
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Reviewed against official sources Last verified 6 official sources cited

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Key facts

Program
Personal Choice Program1
Who can be paid
A non-spouse family member can be paid. A spouse, representative, financial POA, or representative payee cannot.1
Spouse
No1
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: Rhode Island. Program: Personal Choice Program. Spouse: No. Pay: No single published rate.
Source: eohhs.ri.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Programs in Rhode Island

Rhode Island programs that may pay a family caregiver
ProgramTypeEligibility summarySource
Personal Choice ProgramHCBS self-directedQualifies for Medicaid LTSS at the high or highest level of care.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 Rhode Island?

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

How to apply

  1. Contact Rhode Island EOHHS about Medicaid long-term services.1
  2. Ask about the Personal Choice Program.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 Rhode Island EOHHS about Medicaid long-term services. 2. Ask about the Personal Choice Program. 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: eohhs.ri.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Your Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?

Possibly, if the person receiving care qualifies. Personal Choice Program: A non-spouse family member can be paid. A spouse, representative, financial POA, or representative payee cannot.

How much does Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?

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://eohhs.ri.gov/consumer/healthcare/long-term-services-and-supports/personal-choice-programOfficial
  2. https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/210-50-10-2Official
  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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