Table of Contents
How Much Do Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Illinois?
What Is the Home Services Program (HSP)?
Who Can Receive Services Under HSP?
What Kinds of Tasks Are Covered for Caregiver Pay?
Who Can I Hire as a Family Caregiver in Illinois?
Does Medicare Pay for Family Caregivers?
If you’re caring for a loved one, you already know how much of your heart, time, and energy goes into it. What you might not know is that in Illinois, you may be able to get paid for the care you’re already giving, especially if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid.
At FreedomCare, we’ve helped thousands of families in Illinois turn unpaid care into a paid role through the Home Services Program (HSP). Whether you’re a daughter taking care of your aging mother, a husband supporting your wife with a disability, or a trusted friend helping someone you love stay independent at home, there’s a way to be financially supported for your time.
Let’s break down how much family members get paid for caregiving in Illinois, what determines the pay rate, and how FreedomCare can help you get started.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, family members can get paid for caregiving through Illinois Medicaid’s Home Services Program (HSP).
- You can get paid to care for a parent, child (18+), friend, relative, or legal spouse.
- FreedomCare is Illinois’ most experienced provider helping families get paid quickly, easily, and legally.
- Medicare does not pay family members to provide caregiving, but Medicaid does (if eligible).
How Much Do Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Illinois?
Now to the big question: How much do family caregivers actually get paid?
Understanding Caregiver Pay in Illinois
Caregiver pay in Illinois isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your compensation depends on several important factors, including:
- The county or region you live in
- The level of care your loved one requires
- Whether you’re working part-time or full-time hours
While the exact hourly rate varies, many caregivers find that the income helps ease financial stress—especially if you’ve had to step away from a job or reduce your hours to care for a loved one. It can be a meaningful way to support your family while staying close to the people who matter most.
If you’re wondering what your pay might look like based on your situation, FreedomCare can help you understand your options and walk you through eligibility and enrollment. We’ve helped thousands of Illinois families access Medicaid-funded caregiving programs and get the financial recognition they deserve.
Weekly Hours
The number of approved hours per week is determined by the Illinois Department of Human Services after evaluating your loved one’s needs. The more support they require with daily tasks, the more hours may be approved, which means more caregiver pay for you.
Pay Schedule
Family caregivers typically receive bi-weekly paychecks through the program, and FreedomCare ensures payments are processed quickly and accurately.
What Is the Home Services Program (HSP)?
The Home Services Program (HSP) is a Medicaid waiver designed to help people with severe disabilities get care at home, instead of being placed in a facility. That care can be provided by a family member, friend, or spouse, and yes, that caregiver can be paid.
This program gives families a way to support their loved ones while also being supported financially for their time and effort.
Who Can Receive Services Under HSP?
To qualify for HSP in Illinois, your loved one must:
- Have Medicaid (Medicare alone is not enough)
- Live in Illinois
- Be under 60 years old
- Need help with daily activities (like bathing, dressing, cooking, or medication reminders)
- Be able to direct their own care, or appoint someone to do it on their behalf
If you’re not sure if you or your loved one qualify, FreedomCare can help you check eligibility and walk you through every step.
What If My Loved One Is Over 60?
If the person you’re caring for is age 60 or older, they may still qualify for caregiver support through the Illinois Department on Aging’s Community Care Program (CCP). While FreedomCare focuses on those under 60 through HSP, we can point you in the right direction if you’re not sure where to start.
What Kinds of Tasks Are Covered for Caregiver Pay?
Family caregivers are paid for helping with a wide range of daily tasks that support independent living. This includes:
- Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting)
- Meal preparation and feeding
- Medication reminders or administration
- Light housekeeping (laundry, dishes, vacuuming)
- Transportation to appointments or errands
- Companionship and emotional support
- Safety monitoring and mobility assistance
If you’re already doing these things, you’re likely doing the work that qualifies for pay, let FreedomCare help make it official.
Who Can I Hire as a Family Caregiver in Illinois?
Illinois is one of the few states that allows broad flexibility in who can be a paid caregiver through Medicaid.
You can hire a:
- Child (age 18 or older)
- Relative
- Friend
- Legal Spouse
- Parent (if the child is 18 or older)
It’s about trust. The person receiving care gets to choose who they want as their caregiver, someone they know, love, and feel safe with.
At FreedomCare, we’ve helped thousands of Illinois families legally hire their own child, niece, neighbor, or spouse as a caregiver. We handle the paperwork, the approval process, and even the caregiver training.
Click here for more information on How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Illinois
Does Medicare Pay for Family Caregivers?
This is one of the most common questions we get: “Does Medicare pay family members to provide home care?”
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Medicare does not pay family caregivers directly.
Only Medicaid, or state Medicaid-funded programs like HSP, allow family members to receive payment for caregiving.
If your loved one only has Medicare, we can help explore Medicaid eligibility or other options that may allow you to get paid through FreedomCare.
Why Caregivers Across Illinois Choose FreedomCare
At FreedomCare, this isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. We are proud to be the leading provider in Illinois for helping families turn care into compensation.
When you choose FreedomCare, you get:
- Fast, personalized help to apply and get approved
- A real person to talk to at every step
- Support managing hours, pay, and compliance
- Peace of mind knowing you’re in the hands of the most trusted name in family caregiver pay
We’ve walked this road with thousands of families across Illinois, and we know how overwhelming it can be at first. That’s why our mission is simple: We help family caregivers get paid, legally, quickly, and with dignity.
Ready to Get Paid for Caring for Someone You Love?
If you’re caring for someone who has Medicaid, lives in Illinois, and needs help with daily tasks, you could already be eligible.
Don’t let questions or paperwork hold you back. FreedomCare is here to make it easy.
Let us help you:
- Check if you qualify
- Complete your application
- Get started on your paid caregiver journey
Click below to check your eligibility and take the first step. You’re doing the work, now it’s time to be recognized for it.
Resources:
https://freedomcare.com/how-to-get-paid-family-caregiver-illinois/
https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=67182
https://hfs.illinois.gov/
https://ilaging.illinois.gov/programs/ccp.html