Can you get paid to care for your child through GAPP?

Yes. If your child has approved GAPP hours for Personal Care Services (PCS), you can get hired by a GAPP agency as their PCS worker. The agency pays you. Here is how it works.

The short answer

Family members can work as paid PCS caregivers through a GAPP agency. You do not get paid by Medicaid directly. An agency hires you, assigns you to your child's case, and handles your payroll.

This only works for PCS hours. If your child needs skilled nursing (RN or LPN), the nurse must hold a license. You cannot fill those hours unless you are a licensed nurse.

The first step is getting your child approved for GAPP PCS hours. If that is already done, you need to find an agency that hires family members as caregivers.

How it works

Five steps from start to paycheck. Most of the work is on the agency side, not yours.

1

Your child gets approved for GAPP PCS hours

Before anything else, your child needs active Georgia Medicaid and an approved prior authorization for PCS hours. If you have not done this yet, start with our GAPP approval guide.

The approval tells Medicaid how many PCS hours per week your child qualifies for. Those hours are what you will eventually get paid to work.

2

Find an agency that hires family caregivers

Not every agency does this. Some only hire non-family staff. When you call, ask directly: “Do you hire family members as PCS workers?”

Search our provider directory and filter by PCS to find agencies in your county. Call several. Compare their rates and policies.

Ask up front: What is your PCS hourly rate for family caregivers? Some agencies pay family caregivers less than outside staff. Get the number before you sign anything.

3

Apply with the agency as a PCS worker

The agency will run a background check and drug screen. You will go through their PCS training program. Most agencies also require CPR certification.

This process takes 2 to 4 weeks. The agency handles most of it. Your job is to show up for training and pass the background check.

4

Agency assigns you to your child's case

Once you pass training and the background check, the agency assigns you as the PCS worker on your child's case. You will get a schedule based on the authorized hours.

You do not pick your own hours. The hours come from the prior authorization. If your child is approved for 20 hours per week, that is the maximum you can work and get paid for.

5

You work shifts and get paid by the agency

You clock in and out like any job. The agency bills Medicaid for your hours and pays you from that. Most agencies pay biweekly with direct deposit.

The agency is your employer. They handle taxes, W-2s, and workers' comp. You are not an independent contractor.

What PCS caregivers actually do

PCS is personal care, not medical care. If you are already helping your kid with these things every day, this is the same work but with documentation and a paycheck.

  • Bathing and hygiene
  • Dressing and undressing
  • Feeding and meal prep
  • Mobility help (transfers, repositioning)
  • Medication reminders (not administration)
  • Toileting and diaper changes
  • Light housekeeping related to the child's care

Anything medical (trach suctioning, IV meds, ventilator care) requires a licensed nurse, not a PCS worker. Read more about what PCS covers.

What to expect for pay

PCS caregiver pay in Georgia typically falls between $10 and $15 per hour. Some agencies pay on the lower end, some on the higher end. It depends on the agency, your county, and whether you work nights or weekends.

This is not a high-paying job. But if you are already doing this care for free, getting paid something is better than nothing. And you get the structure of an employer handling your taxes.

How to compare: Call at least three agencies in your area. Ask each one: “What do you pay family PCS caregivers per hour?” Rates are not standardized. The only way to know is to ask.

The agency bills Medicaid at a higher rate than what they pay you. That difference covers their overhead (training, payroll, supervision, insurance). This is standard across the industry.

Things to know before you start

Guardian vs. caregiver rules

In some situations, a legal guardian cannot also be the paid caregiver. Rules vary by agency and by how Medicaid interprets the case. Ask the agency directly: “Can I be both the legal guardian and the paid PCS worker?” Get a clear answer before you start the process.

Background check required

Every PCS worker goes through a criminal background check and drug screen. This is non-negotiable. If you have a disqualifying offense on your record, the agency cannot hire you. Ask the agency what their specific disqualifiers are.

Hours are set by the authorization

You do not decide how many hours you work. The prior authorization tells the agency how many PCS hours your child gets per week. That is the cap. You cannot work extra hours and expect to be paid for them.

The agency is your employer

Medicaid does not pay you. The agency does. They set your schedule, handle your taxes, and can terminate your employment. You follow their policies, complete their documentation, and meet their training requirements.

Related resources

Find agencies that hire family caregivers

Search by county, filter by PCS, and request a callback.

What PCS covers

Full breakdown of Personal Care Services under GAPP.

How to get your child approved for GAPP

Step-by-step approval process from Medicaid to care starting.

How the GAPP program works

Overview of GAPP for families who are just getting started.

Paid caregiver FAQs

Can a parent get paid to care for their child through GAPP?
Yes. If your child is approved for PCS (Personal Care Services) hours through GAPP, you can apply to work as a PCS caregiver through the agency that manages your child's case. The agency hires you, assigns you to your child, and pays you. You cannot bill Medicaid directly.
How much do GAPP family caregivers get paid?
PCS caregiver pay in Georgia typically ranges from $10 to $15 per hour, depending on the agency. Some agencies pay more for overnight or weekend shifts. Call agencies directly and ask about their current rates before you commit.
What's the difference between PCS and skilled nursing under GAPP?
PCS covers personal care like bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility help. Skilled nursing (RN or LPN) covers medical procedures like trach care, ventilator management, and medication administration. Family members can usually become PCS workers but not nurses unless they hold a nursing license.
Do I need training to become a paid GAPP caregiver?
Yes. Most agencies require a short training program, a background check, and a drug screen before they can hire you as a PCS worker. The agency handles the training. Some agencies also require CPR certification.
Can grandparents or other family members be GAPP caregivers?
In most cases, yes. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and adult siblings can apply to be PCS caregivers through the agency. The same rules apply: background check, training, and the agency must hire you. Ask the specific agency about their family caregiver policy.
How long does it take to start getting paid as a GAPP caregiver?
After you apply with an agency, expect 2 to 4 weeks for the background check, training, and paperwork. This assumes your child already has approved GAPP PCS hours. If your child still needs approval, add another 2 to 6 weeks for that process.

Ready to find an agency?

Search for GAPP agencies in your county that offer PCS. Call and ask if they hire family caregivers.

Find a ProviderCheck Eligibility

This directory is not affiliated with the State of Georgia or the official GAPP program. We help families find providers but are not a state agency.