How to Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in PA (The 2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Caring for a family member with medical complexities, a disability, or the challenges of aging is one of the most selfless acts you can perform. However, the emotional and physical demands are often compounded by financial stress. In Pennsylvania, you do not have to choose between providing high-quality care for your loved one and maintaining your own financial stability.

At EldaCare Home Health Services Inc., we believe families are the heart of healthcare. Our unique Family Empowerment Model is designed to bridge the gap between professional home health and family-centered care. Through this program, we train and pay family members to become the primary caregivers for their loved ones, all under the professional guidance of our Registered Nurses (RNs).

If you are currently providing unpaid care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, or Delaware counties, this guide will walk you through the 2026 requirements and steps to transition into a paid professional caregiver role.

Determine Your Eligibility

Before you can begin receiving payment, the individual receiving care must meet specific medical and financial criteria set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Medical Requirements

The care recipient must require what is known as "Nursing Facility Level of Care." This means they need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Common ADLs include:

• Bathing and grooming
• Dressing and undressing
• Eating and meal preparation
• Toileting and incontinence care
• Transferring and mobility (getting in and out of bed or a chair)

Financial Requirements for 2026

In 2026, the financial limits for Pennsylvania’s Medicaid (Medical Assistance) waivers have been updated. Generally, the person needing care must meet these thresholds:

• Monthly Income: Countable income must generally be at or below $2,982 per month.
• Countable Assets: Resources are typically limited to $2,000, though certain assets like a primary home or one vehicle are often excluded.

If your loved one exceeds these limits, there are still options, such as the Act 150 Program for adults with physical disabilities or the Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program for reimbursement of expenses.

Step 1: Apply for Medical Assistance via COMPASS

The first step in getting paid as a caregiver is ensuring your loved one is enrolled in Pennsylvania Medical Assistance. You can apply online through the COMPASS website.

COMPASS is the central hub for social service applications in PA. When applying, be sure to indicate that you are seeking Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This tells the state that the applicant intends to receive care at home rather than in a facility.

Step 2: Request a Functional Eligibility Assessment

Once the financial application is in progress, the state must confirm the medical need for care.

• For Seniors (60+): Contact the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) or your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, or Delaware counties.
• For Adults with Disabilities (18-59): Contact the Independent Enrollment Broker (IEB).

An assessor will visit your home to conduct a Functional Eligibility Determination (FED). They will evaluate your loved one's ability to perform daily tasks and determine how many hours of care per week are medically necessary.

Step 3: Choose the Community HealthChoices (CHC) Program

Most adults in Pennsylvania who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid will be enrolled in the Community HealthChoices (CHC) program. This is the managed care system that coordinates long-term services and supports.

You will be asked to choose a Managed Care Organization (MCO). In the Philadelphia area, common options include Keystone First CHC, AmeriHealth Caritas, and PA Health & Wellness. Once enrolled, a Service Coordinator will be assigned to help develop a Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP).

Step 4: Select EldaCare as Your Provider

During the care planning process, you have the right to choose your home health agency. This is where you select EldaCare Home Health Services Inc. as your partner.

We are ACHC accredited, which means we meet the highest national standards for quality and safety in home health care. Unlike traditional agencies that may send a rotating cast of strangers into your home, we focus on our Family Empowerment Model. We prioritize hiring the people who already know and love the patient best: you.

Step 5: Complete Training and Onboarding

Once EldaCare is selected as your agency, we begin the process of hiring you as an employee. This ensures you receive a competitive wage, professional support, and the legal protections of an employee.

Our onboarding process includes:

• Background Checks: Standard PA State Police, FBI fingerprinting, and ChildLine clearances (if applicable).
• Professional Training: We provide comprehensive training to ensure you are confident in your caregiving tasks. This includes specialized training for Alzheimer's & Dementia Care or Pediatric Nursing skills if you are caring for a child with medical complexities.
• RN Supervision: Every family caregiver at EldaCare is supervised by a Registered Nurse. Our nurses visit regularly to check on your loved one’s health, update the care plan, and answer any medical questions you have.

Step 6: Provide Care and Receive Payment

After completing your onboarding, you can officially begin your role as a paid family caregiver.

• Electronic Visit Verification (EVV): You will use a simple mobile app to clock in and out when you are providing care.
• Weekly Pay: EldaCare provides reliable payment for the hours you work, ensuring your dedication is rewarded financially.
• 24/7 Support: You are never alone. We offer a 24/7 on-call service so you can reach a professional whenever a question or emergency arises.

Why Choose EldaCare’s Family Empowerment Model?

The traditional home care model often fails families because of high caregiver turnover and a lack of personal connection. By training you to be the professional caregiver, we solve these problems.

1. Consistency: Your loved one receives care from the person they trust most.
2. Quality: With RN supervision and ACHC-accredited protocols, the care you provide meets professional medical standards.
3. Financial Stability: You can stay home and care for your family without the stress of lost wages from an outside job.
4. Empowerment: We give you the tools, training, and clinical support to manage complex medical needs, from medication management to wound care.

Counties We Serve

EldaCare is proud to support families throughout the greater Philadelphia region. We understand the specific resources available in each county and can help you navigate the local systems.

Whether you are in the heart of Philadelphia or the surrounding suburbs of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, or Delaware, our team is ready to help you get started.

Start Your Journey Today

The path to becoming a paid family caregiver can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it by yourself. At EldaCare Home Health Services Inc., we are committed to providing compassionate, professional support for families just like yours.

Take the first step toward financial and emotional peace of mind:

• Call us: Speak with a care coordinator who can explain the process in detail.
• Visit our Employment Page: Learn more about our hiring process for family members.
• Contact us online: Use our online form to request more information about our Family Empowerment Model.

Your family deserves the best care possible, and there is no one better suited to provide it than you. Let us help you make that possible.