Many adult children, siblings, and family members in Pennsylvania are providing personal care for an aging parent or relative — bathing, dressing, helping with mobility, managing medications — without realizing they may qualify to be paid for that work.
Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services through three managed care organizations (Keystone First CHC, UPMC CHC, and PA Health & Wellness CHC), allows family members to be hired as paid Direct Care Workers for relatives who are CHC participants.
A-Team Home Care manages the entire enrollment process for families across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, and Chester counties through our Family Caregiver Program. Once enrolled, family caregivers can also coordinate with A-Team’s personal care service and 24-hour home care for backup coverage.
Who can be paid as a family caregiver
Under PA Community HealthChoices, the following relatives may be hired and compensated:
- Adult children
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Nieces and nephews
- Adult cousins
- Friends and neighbors who provide regular care
Who is excluded by state rule
Pennsylvania law specifically excludes:
- Spouses of the CHC participant
- Power of Attorney (POA) holders for the participant
- The participant’s legal guardian
If you fall into one of these categories, you cannot be paid through CHC for caring for that specific relative — though you may still be paid for caring for a different family member.
What the participant needs to qualify
For your relative to be eligible for CHC:
- Pennsylvania resident age 21 or older
- Eligible for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) — typically requires a clinical assessment showing nursing-facility level of need (assistance with at least 2-3 ADLs)
- Income within Medicaid limits (varies by program; PA DHS has the current thresholds)
- Enrolled with one of the three CHC plans: Keystone First CHC, UPMC CHC, or PA Health & Wellness CHC
How the application works
- Eligibility screening — Your relative completes a CHC application via PA’s COMPASS portal or by calling 1-800-510-3848.
- Clinical assessment — A care manager from your relative’s chosen CHC plan visits the home to determine LTSS eligibility and ADL needs.
- Service plan — The care manager creates a Service Plan listing approved hours of personal care.
- Caregiver hiring — A-Team Home Care (or another CHC-approved agency) hires you as a Direct Care Worker against those approved hours.
- State-required training — You complete the state’s required Direct Care Worker training, which A-Team provides at no cost.
- Bi-weekly pay — As an A-Team employee, you’re paid bi-weekly via direct deposit.
What family caregivers actually earn
Pay rates are set by the CHC managed care plan, not by A-Team. As of 2025, family caregivers in PA typically earn between $14 and $17 per hour through Community HealthChoices, depending on the plan and county. Some plans offer a higher “specialty” rate for caregivers serving participants with specific medical needs.
Approved hours range from 10 hours per week (for participants needing minimal personal care) up to 24-hour live-in support.
What’s covered: what counts as paid caregiver work
CHC pays for personal care services — assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs):
- Bathing, dressing, grooming
- Toileting and incontinence care
- Mobility assistance and transfers
- Medication reminders (not administration)
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Light housekeeping related to the participant
- Companionship during care hours
CHC does not pay for:
- Skilled medical procedures (those require an RN or LPN under separate Medicare home health benefits)
- Care provided to other household members
- Tasks unrelated to the participant’s daily living
How to start the process
- Confirm your relative is on PA Medicaid — if not, apply via COMPASS.
- Call A-Team Home Care at (215) 490-9994 for a free 15-minute eligibility call.
- We’ll walk through your specific situation, confirm whether you qualify, and explain the next steps based on your relative’s CHC plan.
- If you’re a fit, A-Team handles enrollment, training, paperwork, and payroll.
There’s no obligation to proceed and no upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get paid to take care of my mother in Pennsylvania if she has Medicaid?
Yes, if your mother is enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices (CHC) program through Keystone First CHC, UPMC CHC, or PA Health & Wellness CHC, and a CHC clinical assessment authorizes personal care hours. As her adult child, you can be hired by a CHC-approved agency such as A-Team Home Care as a Direct Care Worker against those approved hours. (Source: PA Department of Human Services — Community HealthChoices)
Can a spouse get paid to be a caregiver in PA?
No. Under Pennsylvania CHC rules, spouses of the participant are specifically excluded from being paid as Direct Care Workers for that participant. Power of Attorney holders and legal guardians are also excluded. If you are the spouse, you cannot be paid through CHC to care for your husband or wife — but another adult family member (an adult child, sibling, niece, or nephew) can be.
How much do family caregivers make per hour in Pennsylvania?
As of 2025, hourly pay through CHC typically ranges from $14 to $17 per hour, set by each managed care plan and varying by county. Some plans pay a higher “specialty” or “complex care” rate for participants with specific medical needs. Pay is bi-weekly via direct deposit when employed by an agency such as A-Team. The exact rate is confirmed at the time of hire.
How many hours per week will Medicaid pay a family caregiver in PA?
Authorized hours are determined by the CHC plan’s clinical assessment of the participant’s ADL needs, not by the family. Approved hours commonly range from 10 hours per week for minimal personal care up to 24-hour live-in support for participants with extensive needs. The Service Plan written by the CHC care manager states the exact authorized weekly hours.
Do I need a CNA license to be paid as a family caregiver in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania CHC does not require a CNA, HHA, or any prior credential to be hired as a Direct Care Worker for a relative. The state does require completion of Direct Care Worker training, a PA State Police criminal background check, an FBI fingerprint check, and a TB screening before placement. A-Team Home Care provides the required training at no cost to you.
What if my parent isn’t on Medicaid yet — can I still apply?
Your parent must first be approved for PA Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) through the CHC program before you can be paid as their caregiver. The application is filed through PA’s COMPASS portal at compass.state.pa.us or by calling 1-800-510-3848. A-Team’s intake team can walk you through the COMPASS application during a free eligibility call.
Will being paid as a caregiver affect my Social Security or other benefits?
Yes — caregiver pay is taxable W-2 wage income and counts toward earned income limits if you’re collecting Social Security retirement benefits before full retirement age, or if you’re on SSDI or SSI. Effects vary by your individual situation. Confirm with the Social Security Administration or a tax professional before starting. (Source: Social Security Administration)
Sources and further reading
- PA Community HealthChoices program overview — Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Community-HealthChoices.aspx
- PA COMPASS application portal — https://www.compass.state.pa.us/
- CMS Home and Community-Based Services rule — 42 CFR § 441.464
This article provides general information about Pennsylvania’s Community HealthChoices Family Caregiver Program. It is not legal or financial advice. Eligibility requirements change; verify current rules with your CHC plan or PA DHS. A-Team Home Care is a CHC-approved provider and can confirm eligibility for free.
Reviewed by the A-Team Home Care clinical and care-coordination team.
