National Family Caregivers Month: What Every Family Caregiver Should Know About Getting Paid or Getting Help

Every November, National Family Caregivers Month recognizes the people who do the hardest, least visible work in long-term care: the spouses, adult children and friends who help someone bathe, dress, take medicine and get through the day. The observance is led by the Caregiver Action Network and supported by the federal Administration for Community Living, and 2026 marks its 29th year.

In my work, I meet many family caregivers who assume they're on their own. Often they aren't. Depending on who you're caring for and where you live, there may be ways to get paid, get a break, or protect your job while you help. Here's where to look.

Medicaid can sometimes pay a family member

Most states' Medicaid home and community-based services programs offer a self-directed option. Instead of an agency sending an aide, the person receiving care (or their representative) manages a budget and hires their own worker.

According to Medicaid.gov, that worker "can be someone unrelated to the individual or a family member." Each state sets its own rules for who qualifies, and states can choose to let family members or legal guardians serve as paid attendants. Medicaid.gov also notes that in most cases, the person who serves as the participant's representative can't also be the paid worker. Check your state's rules before you count on it.

To use this route, the person you're caring for has to qualify for Medicaid long-term care, both financially and medically. Our state guides explain each state's home care Medicaid program and asset limits.

Veterans have three programs worth knowing

• Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC): for caregivers of veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher who need in-person personal care for at least six continuous months. VA pays the primary family caregiver a monthly stipend based on the federal GS-4, step 1 pay rate where the veteran lives, at 62.5% or 100% of that monthly rate depending on the veteran's needs. Caregivers also get training and other support.
• Veteran-Directed Care: enrolled veterans who meet the clinical criteria get a budget to hire their own workers, and VA says those workers can include the veteran's own family member or neighbor. Availability varies by location, so ask a VA social worker.
• Aid and Attendance: a monthly amount added to a VA pension for veterans or surviving spouses who need help with daily activities. It can help pay for care at home. Our state VA Aid and Attendance pages cover eligibility and the 2026 rates.

Free help, even if you don't get paid

The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program, run through local Area Agencies on Aging, funds five kinds of help:

• information about services,
• help getting access to them,
• counseling, support groups and caregiver training,
• respite care, so you can take a break, and
• limited supplemental services.

It covers adult caregivers of people 60 and older, and caregivers of people of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. The fastest way to find your local office is the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 (call or text), or eldercare.acl.gov.

Protecting your job

If you work for a covered employer and meet the eligibility rules, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act gives you up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period to care for a spouse, child or parent with a serious health condition. Some states add paid family leave on top of that; check your state's labor department.

Where long-term care insurance fits

A long-term care policy can take a lot of pressure off a family caregiver. It can pay for professional help at home, adult day care or respite, so the family can be family again instead of round-the-clock staff.

Whether a policy will pay a family member depends on the policy. Many policies reimburse only licensed providers. Some, including policies with a cash or "indemnity" benefit, can be used more flexibly. If you already own a policy, read the benefit section or call the insurer before you assume either way.

If you're caring for a parent today, it's also a good time to think about your own plan. Coverage costs less and is easier to qualify for when you're younger and healthier.

The bottom line

• Medicaid self-directed programs in many states can pay a family member as a caregiver; state rules vary.
• Veterans may qualify for a VA caregiver stipend, Veteran-Directed Care or Aid and Attendance.
• Free respite, counseling and training are available through your Area Agency on Aging: 1-800-677-1116.
• FMLA can protect your job for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.
• Check whether an existing long-term care policy can pay for in-home help or a family caregiver.

If you'd like to compare long-term care coverage for yourself or a parent, request a free quote comparison.

Share this post Facebook X LinkedIn Email Copy link

Like this post

Was this post helpful?

Yes No

Feedback is private and goes only to our team. See our Privacy Policy.