Skip to content
Carevo

Get paid to care for a family member in Maryland: what we could verify

Whether Maryland Medicaid pays a relative to give care under Community First Choice is not stated on the Department of Health pages we read. We list what the regulation does say and what to ask.

Carevo editorial team Updated October 27, 2026 Source checked by Carevo editorial team, October 27, 2026

We could not verify whether Maryland Medicaid pays a relative to give care under Community First Choice, so this page does not say yes or no. The Department of Health's CFC page does not address relatives, and the regulation we read does not address them in general.

What the regulation does say

COMAR 10.09.84 says personal assistance must come from a provider agency licensed as a Residential Service Agency. A registered nurse assesses new participants and delegates tasks, and workers need verified qualifications and a criminal history records check. The agency may not assign the participant's representative, which includes a legal guardian and a parent or foster parent of a dependent minor, to provide services to that participant.

The regulation also says the supports planner must support the participant to self-direct services, and that agencies must let participants exercise as much control as desired to select, train and schedule workers. So you may be able to ask an agency to hire a person you choose, but we have not seen a rule that says a relative can be that person.

Questions to ask the CFC Program

Call the CFC Program on 410-767-1739 or Maryland Access Point on 844-627-5465, the numbers the Department lists.

  • Can a licensed agency employ my relative to give me personal assistance under CFC?
  • Which relatives are excluded, for example a spouse, or a parent of a minor?
  • What training and screening would my relative need?
  • Is there a participant-employer option, or only agencies?
  • What would the agency pay my relative?

Ask for answers in writing with the rule they come from.

Where to go next

Read Community First Choice in Maryland and the Maryland program overview. For paid help from a licensed agency, see home care in Maryland, home health in Maryland, nursing homes in Maryland and developmental disability services in Maryland.

Carevo is a connection platform and directory. We do not enroll anyone as a paid caregiver, decide hours or pay, or run payroll. This page is marked noindex until we can cite a Department page that answers the relative question.

Looking for care?

Tell us your ZIP code and the type of care, and we will show providers that serve your area.

Common questions

Can a family member be paid to care for me in Maryland?

We could not verify this. The Department of Health CFC page does not address relatives, and COMAR 10.09.84 does not address relatives in general. Ask the CFC Program at 410-767-1739.

What does the regulation say about representatives?

It says a personal assistance provider agency may not assign the participant's representative to provide services to that participant. The representative includes a legal guardian and a parent or foster parent of a dependent minor.

Who can provide personal assistance under CFC?

Under COMAR 10.09.84, personal assistance providers must be licensed as a Residential Service Agency. A registered nurse assesses new participants and delegates tasks, and workers need a criminal history records check.

Is there a self-directed option?

The regulation says supports planners must support the participant to self-direct services and that agencies must let participants exercise as much control as desired to select, train and schedule workers. It does not describe a separate participant-employer model in the text we read.

Does Carevo enroll people in CFC?

No. Carevo is a connection platform and directory.

Sources

Review status: Carevo checked this page against the primary sources listed above. It has not been professionally reviewed by a registered nurse, licensed social worker, benefits counselor or attorney. See our editorial standards.

This page is general information, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules and services vary by state and by individual circumstances. Use the official sources and decision-maker named on the page. Carevo is a connection platform, not a care provider.