How to get paid to be a family caregiver in Georgia

If you are already caring for a child or relative with complex medical needs, Georgia Medicaid may pay you to do it through a home care agency. Here is who qualifies, how much it pays, and the exact steps to start.

The short answer

Georgia does not mail family members a caregiver check. Instead, Medicaid funds Personal Care Services (PCS) hours for the person who needs care. A home care agency then hires you, assigns you to your family member, and pays you a wage for those hours.

For a medically fragile child, the pathway is GAPP — the Georgia Pediatric Program. It is the most common route for parents and relatives who want to be paid for the care they already provide.

The first step is always the same: the person you care for must be approved for PCS hours. Once that is done, you find an agency that hires family caregivers.

Which path applies to you?

The program depends on who you are caring for. Most families on this site are caring for a child, so GAPP is the main focus.

Caring for a child with complex medical needs

This is GAPP. If your child is under 21, on Georgia Medicaid, and has a qualifying medical condition, GAPP can authorize in-home PCS and nursing hours. A parent or relative can be hired as the paid PCS caregiver through a GAPP agency.

Not sure if your child qualifies? Start with our eligibility screener or read the GAPP approval guide.

Caring for an adult or aging relative

Adult care runs through different Medicaid programs — primarily the elderly and disabled waiver programs (such as CCSP and SOURCE) and structured family caregiving options. Whether a spouse or guardian can be paid depends on the specific program.

GeorgiaGAPP focuses on pediatric care, so for adult waivers contact Georgia Medicaid or a home care agency that serves adults to confirm the family caregiver rules.

Not sure where you fit

If your child is medically fragile and on Medicaid, GAPP is almost certainly your path. The rest of this page walks through exactly how getting paid works under it.

How getting paid actually works

Four steps from authorization to paycheck. The agency does most of the heavy lifting.

1

Your family member gets approved for PCS hours

Medicaid authorizes a set number of PCS hours per week based on need. Those hours are what you will be paid to work. For a child, this happens through GAPP — see the how to apply for GAPP guide.

2

Find an agency that hires family caregivers

Not every agency hires family members. When you call, ask plainly: “Do you hire family members as PCS workers, and what do you pay them?” Call several and compare.

Compare before you commit: Rates are set by each agency, not the state. Talk to at least three before you sign on with one.

3

Get hired and assigned to your family member

The agency runs a background check and drug screen, puts you through PCS training, and assigns you to your relative's case. Expect 2 to 4 weeks. Most agencies also require CPR certification.

4

You work the authorized hours and get paid

You clock in and out, document your hours, and the agency pays you — usually biweekly by direct deposit. The agency is your employer and handles taxes and your W-2. You are not an independent contractor, and you cannot bill Medicaid yourself.

Can I get paid to care for my…

…child

Yes, through GAPP PCS once your child is approved. This is the most common and most straightforward path. See getting paid as a GAPP caregiver.

…parent or grandparent

Possible through adult Medicaid waiver programs (CCSP, SOURCE) via an agency. The rules differ from GAPP. Confirm with an agency that serves adults whether you can be the paid caregiver.

…spouse

Some programs restrict paying a spouse; others allow it through an agency. This one is the most case-specific — get the agency's answer in writing before you start.

…disabled adult child

GAPP covers children under 21. After 21, care shifts to adult disability waivers. If your child is still under 21, GAPP PCS is the pathway to being paid.

What to expect for pay

PCS caregiver pay in Georgia typically falls between $10 and $15 per hour. The agency sets the rate, not the state, so it varies by agency and county, and some pay more for nights or weekends. There is no flat statewide salary for family caregivers.

How your pay is capped: Your hours come from the authorization, not your schedule. If your family member is approved for 25 PCS hours a week, that is the maximum you can be paid for — no matter how many hours you actually provide.

The agency bills Medicaid at a higher rate than it pays you. That spread covers their overhead: payroll, training, supervision, and insurance. This is standard across the industry.

Before you start

Guardian-vs-caregiver rules vary

In some programs a legal guardian or spouse cannot also be the paid caregiver. Ask the agency directly whether your relationship qualifies, and get the answer before you invest weeks in the process.

A background check is required

Every PCS worker passes a criminal background check and drug screen. A disqualifying offense can prevent the agency from hiring you. Ask what their specific disqualifiers are.

Approval comes first

You cannot be paid until the person you care for is approved for hours. If that has not happened yet, that is your real first task — not finding an agency.

Related resources

Getting paid as a GAPP caregiver

The step-by-step mechanics of being hired as your child's PCS worker.

How to get your child approved for GAPP

The approval process from Medicaid to care starting.

What Personal Care Services covers

The full breakdown of PCS duties under GAPP.

Find agencies that hire family caregivers

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

Family caregiver FAQs

Does Georgia pay family members to be caregivers?
Yes, but indirectly. Georgia Medicaid does not write you a check for caring for a relative. Instead, programs like GAPP (for medically fragile children) and structured family caregiving options let a home care agency hire you as a paid Personal Care Services (PCS) worker. The agency bills Medicaid and pays you a wage. The path depends on who you are caring for and which program they qualify for.
How much does Georgia pay family caregivers?
For PCS caregivers through GAPP and similar programs, pay in Georgia typically runs $10 to $15 per hour, set by the hiring agency. Rates are not standardized, so they vary by agency, county, and shift. There is no flat statewide "family caregiver salary" — your pay comes from the agency that employs you, based on the hours your family member is authorized for.
Can a parent get paid to care for their child in Georgia?
Yes, if the child is approved for GAPP Personal Care Services. Once your child has authorized PCS hours, you can apply to a GAPP agency to be hired and assigned as their paid PCS caregiver. Skilled nursing hours (RN or LPN) require a licensed nurse, so a parent can only fill nursing hours if they hold a nursing license.
Can a spouse be paid as a caregiver in Georgia?
For adult care, some Medicaid waiver programs in Georgia restrict paying a spouse or legal guardian, while others allow it through an agency. The rules are program-specific and the agency interprets them case by case. Ask any agency directly: "Can I be hired as the paid caregiver for my spouse under your program?" Get a clear answer in writing before you start.
What program lets me get paid to care for a medically fragile child?
GAPP — the Georgia Pediatric Program — is the main pathway. It funds in-home nursing and personal care for children under 21 with complex medical needs on Georgia Medicaid. Family members can be hired as the paid PCS caregiver through a GAPP agency once the child is approved.
How long does it take to start getting paid as a family caregiver?
If your family member is already approved for PCS hours, plan on 2 to 4 weeks to be hired: background check, drug screen, and agency training. If they still need program approval first, add roughly 2 to 6 weeks for that. So a realistic range is 2 to 10 weeks total depending on where you start.
Do I need a license or certification to be a paid family caregiver?
For Personal Care Services (PCS), no license is required, but the agency will require a background check, a short PCS training program, and often CPR certification. For skilled nursing work you must be a licensed RN or LPN. Most family members qualify for PCS, not nursing.

Start with eligibility

Before you can be paid, your family member needs approved hours. Check whether your child qualifies for GAPP, then find an agency that hires family caregivers.

Check EligibilityFind a Provider

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.