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Get paid to care for a family member in Oregon

In Oregon, a family member can be paid through Medicaid in-home services. ODHS says Independent Choices lets you hire family, including a spouse, and a separate Spousal Pay Program covers spouses in the Consumer Employer Program.

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

A family member can be paid in Oregon through Medicaid in-home services. ODHS says that under the Independent Choices Program you can hire who you want, including your spouse or other family. Spouses are otherwise paid only through the Spousal Pay Program, which has strict conditions and a 60-hour weekly cap.

The routes for family

  • Independent Choices. For people with Medicaid long-term services and supports. ODHS says you get a monthly cash benefit, pay your workers yourself, and may hire home care workers, your spouse or other family members.
  • Consumer Employer Program. You are the employer and the program pays your workers directly. The ODHS hiring page does not say whether this program allows hiring a spouse or family, so ask. ODHS's rules say a relative paid for Medicaid in-home services to someone living in the relative's home is a homecare worker.
  • Spousal Pay Program. The route for a spouse in the consumer-employed hourly option. See Oregon Spousal Pay.

"Relative" in the ODHS rules means a person other than the spouse who is related by blood, marriage or adoption.

Who has limits

  • Spouses. ODHS says Spousal Pay and Independent Choices are the only consumer-employed in-home options that allow payment to a spouse. Spousal Pay needs full help in at least four of six daily living activities, a debilitating medical condition, nursing facility level need, and needs beyond what spouses usually do for each other. Hours are capped at 60 per week.
  • Your representative. ODHS says the spouse provider cannot also be the person's Consumer-Employer Representative.
  • Marrying your worker. ODHS says a homecare worker who marries their consumer-employer is not paid under Spousal Pay. Their hours are based on the person's needs with no reduction.

Steps for a relative

  1. The person receiving care applies for Medicaid long-term care. ODHS lists the ADRC at 855-673-2372, one.oregon.gov and local Benefits offices.
  2. A case manager completes an in-home services assessment.
  3. The family chooses a program: Consumer Employer, Independent Choices or Spousal Pay.
  4. The relative enrolls as a homecare worker. ODHS's rule says spouse providers must meet the enrollment requirements for homecare workers in the Consumer-Employed Provider Program. We did not read those requirements.

ODHS's long-term care page also says free training and support is available for family caregivers. We did not read the details.

Pay and hours

We state no wage. Spousal pay providers are paid at hourly homecare worker rates under ODHS's rate schedule, which we did not read. The Independent Choices benefit is a monthly cash amount set by the plan and budget. Ask your case manager for the figure.

Where to start

Carevo is a connection platform and directory. We do not enroll anyone as a paid caregiver, decide hours or pay, or run payroll.

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 I get paid to take care of my parent in Oregon?

Possibly. ODHS says that under Independent Choices you can hire who you want, including family members. Your parent would need Medicaid long-term services and supports. ODHS's rules also treat a relative paid for Medicaid in-home services to someone living in the relative's home as a homecare worker.

Can I be paid to care for my spouse?

Under strict conditions. ODHS says the Spousal Pay Program and Independent Choices are the only consumer-employed options that allow payment to a spouse. Spousal Pay needs full help in four of six daily living activities and a debilitating medical condition, among other tests.

Is there a cap on hours?

For spouse providers, yes. ODHS says the 60 hours per week cap applies to spouse providers on hourly or shift plans, and a single worker may not work more than 16 hours in a 24-hour period.

Can the person who represents me also be paid?

Not as a spouse provider. ODHS says the spouse provider cannot be designated as, or act as, the person's Consumer-Employer Representative.

What if the Consumer Employer Program does not allow family?

The ODHS hiring page we read does not say whether that program allows hiring a spouse or other family. Ask your case manager or the Oregon Home Care Commission.

How much does a family caregiver earn?

ODHS's rule says spousal pay providers are paid at hourly homecare worker rates under the rate schedule. We did not read the schedule, so we state no figure.

Does Carevo enroll people as paid caregivers?

No. Carevo is a connection platform and directory. ODHS, your local APD or Area Agency on Aging office and the Oregon Home Care Commission handle enrollment and pay.

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.