Can Family Caregivers Get Paid in Ohio? 2026 Guide

Ohio Offers Several Pathways for Paid Family Caregiving

If you are caring for a parent, spouse, or family member at home in Ohio, there are Medicaid-funded programs that may allow you to be paid as a caregiver. Ohio runs multiple waiver programs and has a specific Structured Family Caregiving service that families commonly explore.

This article covers the main Ohio programs and what to verify next. It is not an official eligibility determination.

The Main Ohio Programs to Know

PASSPORT (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today)

PASSPORT is Ohio's primary waiver program for adults age 60+ who need nursing-facility level of care. It includes a participant-directed option where adult children may be hired as paid caregivers.

Under PASSPORT Participant Direction, the participant manages an individual budget and hires their own workers, including family members, through an FMS provider.

*Key details to verify:*

• Must be age 60 or older
• Must be enrolled in Ohio Medicaid
• Must meet nursing facility level of care
• Budget ranges: $500 - $6,000/month (standard PASSPORT) or $500 - $4,000/month (participant-directed)
• Contact PASSPORT: 1-800-266-4346 or participant direction: 1-844-644-6582

Choices Home Care Attendant Service (Participant-Directed)

The Choices program allows Medicaid enrollees to hire their own home care attendant through participant direction. Adult children may serve as paid attendants.

*Key details to verify:*

• Must be enrolled in Ohio Medicaid
• Budget ranges: $300 - $2,500/month
• Contact: 1-844-644-6582

Structured Family Caregiving (SFC)

Structured Family Caregiving is a service available through several Ohio waiver programs. It is specifically designed to pay family members who provide live-in care. Adult children are commonly the caregivers in this model.

Under SFC, a participating agency provides training, care planning support, and a daily stipend to the family caregiver.

*Key details to verify:*

• Available through MyCare Ohio and other waiver programs
• Caregiver must live with the person receiving care
• Adult children may be eligible as SFC providers
• Contact: 1-844-644-6582

MyCare Ohio Waiver

MyCare Ohio is a dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid) managed care program. It may include self-directed and family caregiver options depending on the managed care plan.

*Key details to verify:*

• For adults enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid
• Contact: 800-324-8680

Ohio Level One and Individual Options Waivers

These waivers serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Spouse and parent caregiver payment rules should be verified directly with the program.

*Key details to verify:*

• Must have a qualifying developmental disability
• Contact: 800-324-8680

How to Start Exploring Caregiver Payment in Ohio

Step 1: Confirm Medicaid enrollment. The person receiving care must be enrolled in Ohio Medicaid.

Step 2: Request an assessment. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (for PASSPORT) or county board of developmental disabilities (for DD waivers) to request a level-of-care assessment.

Step 3: Ask about participant direction or Structured Family Caregiving. Once approved for services, ask which self-directed options are available and whether your family caregiver relationship qualifies.

Step 4: Choose an FMS provider or SFC agency. The participant-directed model requires an FMS provider for payroll. Structured Family Caregiving requires a participating agency.

Step 5: Complete caregiver enrollment. Background checks, payroll setup, and any program-specific training are typically required.

Sample Question to Use When You Call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about the PASSPORT program and the participant-directed option for my parent. They are enrolled in Medicaid and living at home. I'd like to understand whether I can be hired as their paid caregiver and what assessment is needed to get started."

The Bottom Line

Ohio has several strong pathways for paid family caregiving, especially through PASSPORT participant direction and Structured Family Caregiving. The key first steps are confirming Medicaid enrollment, requesting the appropriate assessment, and asking about self-directed care options.