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Tennessee · TN

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

In Tennessee, the main path is TennCare CHOICES Consumer Direction.1 Enrolled in TennCare CHOICES.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
An older woman checks her husband's temperature at home

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Reviewed against official sources Last verified 6 official sources cited

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Key facts

Program
TennCare CHOICES Consumer Direction1
Who can be paid
Family members can generally be paid, but a spouse cannot be the paid worker in consumer direction. TennCare also describes provider agencies hiring family caregivers.1
Spouse
No (consumer direction)1
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: Tennessee. Program: TennCare CHOICES Consumer Direction. Spouse: No (consumer direction). Pay: No single published rate.
Source: tn.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee programs that may pay a family caregiver
ProgramTypeEligibility summarySource
TennCare CHOICES Consumer DirectionHCBS self-directedEnrolled in TennCare CHOICES.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 Tennessee?

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

How to apply

  1. Contact your TennCare health plan about CHOICES.1
  2. Ask the Care Coordinator about consumer direction or agency-employed family caregivers.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 TennCare health plan about CHOICES. 2. Ask the Care Coordinator about consumer direction or agency-employed family caregivers. 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: tn.gov, Last verified Oct 20, 2026

Your Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

Possibly, if the person receiving care qualifies. TennCare CHOICES Consumer Direction: Family members can generally be paid, but a spouse cannot be the paid worker in consumer direction. TennCare also describes provider agencies hiring family caregivers.

How much does Tennessee 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 Tennessee?

What the official source says: No (consumer direction). 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.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/choices.htmlOfficial
  2. https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/provider-agency-information-for-hiring-family-caregivers.htmlOfficial
  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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