Table of Contents
How Much Do Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in Ohio?
Can I Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in Ohio?
Who Qualifies for the PASSPORT Waiver?
Who Can Be a Paid Family Caregiver in Ohio?
How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid in Ohio?
Factors That Influence Family Caregiver Pay in Ohio
Get Paid Faster with FreedomCare
Full-Time Caregivers Also Get More
How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Ohio
If you’re caring for an aging parent or relative in Ohio, you know this isn’t just helping out, it’s a full-time job in its own right. Whether it’s bathing, dressing, cooking, or keeping track of medications, caregiving is physically demanding and emotionally draining. And if you’re like many families in the Cleveland area, you’re wondering:
Yes, you can. Ohio offers several Medicaid programs that allow family members to get paid for caregiving. The PASSPORT Medicaid waiver supports older adults who need care at home and lets them choose a trusted family member or friend as their caregiver. If your loved one qualifies, you could receive payment for the care you provide. Additionally, for those who are dual-eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, the MyCare Ohio program offers a similar option to get paid for caring for a loved one at home, along with care coordination and extra supports. Let me know if you’d like help expanding this into a full section.
In this post, we’ll walk you through how the program works, how much family caregivers get paid in Ohio, and how FreedomCare helps make the process simple.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, you can get paid to care for a loved one in Ohio through the Medicaid PASSPORT waiver program. If your loved one is dual-eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, the MyCare Ohio program may also offer paid caregiving options along with additional services and care coordination.
- Only non-spouses can be paid caregivers. This includes adult children, relatives, friends, and neighbors.
- Care recipients must be 60 or older, live at home, and be eligible for Medicaid with a nursing home level of care.
- Family caregivers typically earn between $11 and $15 per hour, depending on region, experience, and care needs.
- You don’t need to navigate the system alone, FreedomCare handles the paperwork, eligibility checks, and caregiver onboarding for you.
Can I Get Paid to Care for a Family Member in Ohio?
Yes. If your loved one is 60 or older and qualifies for the PASSPORT waiver under Ohio Medicaid, they can choose you, a family member or friend, to provide daily in-home care. If they are dual-eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, the MyCare Ohio program may also allow you to be paid as their caregiver, with added support and care coordination services.
There’s just one key rule: Spouses cannot be paid caregivers under this program. But children, relatives, and friends can.
That means if you’re already helping Mom get dressed each morning, or making meals for your aging uncle, you may be eligible to get paid for it.
Who Qualifies for the PASSPORT Waiver?
To qualify for Ohio’s PASSPORT program, the person needing care must:
- Be 60 years of age or older
- Be eligible for Medicaid
- Require nursing facility-level care
- Live in a home or community setting (not in a facility)
- Be able to direct their own care, or have someone to appoint as a representative
- Live in an area where FreedomCare operates (see below)
Counties We Serve in Ohio:
FreedomCare currently serves Cuyahoga County in the Cleveland area. While we’re starting here, we’re working hard to expand to other nearby counties soon, so more families across Ohio can benefit from getting paid to care for the people they love. Stay tuned as we grow!
Who Can Be a Paid Family Caregiver in Ohio?
Under the PASSPORT program, your loved one has the right to choose their own caregiver, someone they already know and trust.
You can become a paid caregiver if you are:
- An adult child (age 18 or older)
- A relative (such as a grandchild, niece/nephew, cousin, or sibling)
- A trusted friend or neighbor
The only restriction is that spouses cannot be paid under the program.
How Much Do Family Caregivers Get Paid in Ohio?
FreedomCare ensures your pay is based on your specific situation, and that you’re compensated fairly and reliably.
Factors That Influence Family Caregiver Pay in Ohio
Your rate as a family caregiver isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s what impacts how much you get paid:
1. PASSPORT Program Guidelines
Each Medicaid waiver has its own rules for caregiver compensation. The PASSPORT program defines hourly caps and eligible services, and FreedomCare helps you stay compliant while maximizing your benefits.
2. Local Wage Rates
Pay is determined at the zip code level to reflect the cost of living and average caregiver wages in your area.
3. Experience and Qualifications
Have you been caregiving for years? Do you hold CPR certification or other health-related training? These factors can lead to a higher hourly wage.
4. Level of Care Required
The more involved your caregiving duties are (such as transferring, mobility support, or managing medications), the higher your rate may be.
5. Time Commitment
If you’re providing full-time care, your compensation may reflect the intensity and consistency of your schedule compared to part-time caregiving.
6. Market Demand
In areas where trained caregivers are in short supply, pay rates may be adjusted to help meet demand.
Get Paid Faster with FreedomCare
FreedomCare offers Instant Pay for caregivers. That means you get paid the same day your shift ends, directly to your bank account. No paper checks. No waiting for payday.
Full-Time Caregivers Also Get More
In addition to competitive pay, FreedomCare offers supportive benefits to those providing full-time care:
- Caregiver Wellness Program: Stay physically and emotionally well with resources tailored for caregivers.
- Caregiver Support Program: Access guidance, tools, and emotional support so you never feel alone on this journey.
Because caring for someone else starts with caring for yourself.
How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Ohio
Getting started with FreedomCare is simple. Here’s what to expect:
Step 1: Check Your Loved One’s Eligibility
We’ll walk you through confirming Medicaid status and PASSPORT waiver eligibility. Not sure if your loved one qualifies? Reach out, we’ll help you find out quickly.
Step 2: Choose a Caregiver
Your loved one selects a family member or friend to provide care. This gives them the comfort of working with someone they already trust.
Step 3: Start Getting Paid
Once approved, you can begin providing care, and get paid right away. With Instant Pay, your compensation arrives as soon as your shift ends.
Medicaid Waivers That Support Paid Caregiving in Ohio
The main program FreedomCare works with in Ohio is:
PASSPORT Waiver Program
This waiver supports older adults who need assistance with daily tasks and would otherwise require nursing home care. It allows them to receive long-term care at home and choose a family caregiver (non-spouse) to help them.
Eligibility includes:
- Age 60 and older
- Medicaid-eligible
- Must meet nursing facility level of care
- Reside in a non-institutional setting
FreedomCare helps you complete the PASSPORT enrollment and paperwork, submit assessments, and begin care with no stress or confusion.
Why Choose FreedomCare?
When it comes to getting paid to care for a loved one, you don’t want to navigate the system alone. That’s where FreedomCare comes in. We’re not just another agency, we’re a mission-driven partner that’s been helping families like yours for years.
We’ve Helped Thousands of Families
Since our founding, FreedomCare has helped over 100,000 caregivers across multiple states get paid to care for someone they love. From New York to Ohio, from Indiana to Nevada, our team has seen it all and guided families through every challenge.
We know the process can feel overwhelming. That’s why we built FreedomCare, to make it easier.
We Handle the Hard Parts for You
When you choose FreedomCare, you’re not just signing up for a program, you’re gaining a full support team. We help with:
- Eligibility checks (fast and free)
- Paperwork and Medicaid forms
- Waiver enrollment
- Caregiver onboarding
- Paid training to help you feel confident and prepared
- Ongoing support for you and your loved one
- We’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, every step of the way.
We don’t hand you a packet and wish you luck. We walk with you through every step, every question, every shift. That’s the FreedomCare difference.
Care That Puts Families First
At our core, FreedomCare believes no one should have to choose between family and finances.
We’re here to make sure people can stay at home, in a familiar environment, surrounded by the people they trust most. And we’re here to make sure caregivers get the recognition and the paycheck they deserve.
Built on Compassion, Powered by Experience
Our team is made up of experts in Medicaid, home care, and case management—but also sons, daughters, grandkids, and friends who’ve walked this caregiving road themselves.
We value:
- Dignity in care
- Clarity in communication
- Compassion in every interaction
- Consistency in caregiver pay and support
We believe every family deserves this level of care, and we’ve spent years building a system that delivers it.
The Bottom Line
If you’re caring for an aging loved one in Ohio, you shouldn’t have to choose between doing what’s right and making ends meet. With the PASSPORT waiver and FreedomCare, you can get paid for the care you’re already providing.
Whether you’re cooking dinner for your dad, helping your grandmother with mobility, or making sure your neighbor remembers their medication—you deserve to be recognized and supported.
Find out if you qualify
Check your eligibility with FreedomCare today and start getting paid to care for someone you love.
Helpful Resources:
https://freedomcare.com/how-to-get-paid-family-caregiver-ohio/
https://freedomcare.com/ohio/
https://ohio.gov/residents/resources/passport
https://medicaid.ohio.gov/mycareohio