How you'll help
Paid family caregivers provide essential daily care for someone you love. They help with routine needs and make it possible to live with dignity at home.
- Daily living support – Assists with meals, bathing, dressing, or getting around
- Health reminders – Help with medications, appointments, and monitoring changes
- Emotional support – Offer companionship, patience, and encouragement
Caring for my dad became more manageable once I got the right training and support. I’m still his daughter — but I feel more prepared now.
Where you'll work
Paid family caregivers do their job where their loved one lives. It might be a house, an apartment, or a shared home with family.
This role might be right for you if...
You’re already caring for a loved one or wondering if you can be paid to care for a family member. You’re compassionate, responsible, and willing to learn the skills that help keep your family member safe and supported.
How to become a paid family caregiver
Your family member applies for services
Your family member needs to qualify for Apple Health (Medicaid) LTSS before you can be paid. Read the Medicaid LTSS booklet to learn how to apply and what services are available.
To begin their qualifying process:
- Apply on the Washington Connection portal website; or
- Contact the local DSHS Home & Community Services office.
Apply to get paid for your caregiving
You need to join Consumer Direct Care Network Washington as an employee to get paid. CDWA is the employer that pays family caregivers as Individual Providers.
- Read CDWA’s hiring resources to learn the steps.
- Your family member must qualify for Apple Health (Medicaid) LTSS first.
- Apply on the CDWA application portal.
- CDWA will let you know when you’re approved.
Complete your training
Apply to Consumer Direct Care Network Washington first. After you apply, CDWA will send clear steps on how to sign up for trainings and when to take them.
- 5 hours: Orientation & Safety Training.
- 30 hour basic training: SEIU775 Benefits Group provides this training.
Get help from a Navigator
Have questions? Not sure what's next? Our Navigators can provide free guidance and support as you go through the process of becoming a paid family caregiver.
Common Questions
- Can I be a paid family caregiver for my minor child or spouse?
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Parents of children under 18 years old cannot be their child’s paid caregiver through DSHS services. Even if you cannot be paid as the caregiver, your child may qualify for help (respite, personal care, therapies, etc.)
For more information on services that may be available for your child see Developmental Disabilities Community Services page.
A spouse cannot be a paid caregiver for a spouse under Apple Health Long-Term Services and Support. They may be able to be a paid caregiver through the Veteran Directed Care or WACARES. - Who can be a paid family caregiver?
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You can get paid if you are an Individual Provider and you care only for an eligible family member.
Eligible relatives include an adult child, parent, or sibling. The list also covers aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, grandparent, and grandchild. This also includes relatives by marriage or domestic partnership.
You can also get paid to care for someone who is not a family member. Non‑family caregivers may need different training. Follow the steps to apply as a paid family caregiver or contact a Navigator for help.
- Paid family caregiver vs Individual Provider
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A paid family caregiver is an Individual Provider. Individual Provider is the term many programs use for paid caregiver. Consumer Direct Care Network Washington hires and pays both.
Key difference
All paid family caregivers are IPs. Not all IPs are paid family caregivers. If you care for a non‑family person, you can still be an IP. CDWA sets pay and rules for both. Training or other requirements may differ. - How much do paid family caregivers get paid?
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See Consumer Direct Care Network Washington contract for the current rate. SEIU 775 Contract for Consumer Direct Washington under Appendix A.