--- title: "Can a Family Member Get Paid as a Caregiver? KS and MO" description: "Can you get paid to care for a parent? Medicaid programs in Kansas and Missouri, the VA caregiver program, long-term care insurance and family agreements." url: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/paid-family-caregiver/ updated: 2026-10-09 site: Senior Transition Assistance --- Paying for care # Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver? Many families wonder whether they can be paid for the care they're already giving. In some cases, yes. Here are the main routes in Kansas and Missouri. Talk it through with a person[ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388) Free. We listen, explain your options, and introduce you to a few that fit. You decide. Quick answer Yes, in some cases. In Kansas, a parent on the KanCare Frail Elderly waiver can choose a family member, other than a spouse or legal representative, to provide paid attendant care. In Missouri, the Structured Family Caregiver waiver supports a live-in family caregiver for a person with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Veterans may qualify for the VA's caregiver program, which includes a monthly stipend. Some long-term care insurance policies also pay family caregivers. [(800) 614-8388](tel:+18006148388) to talk through options. **Last updated October 9, 2026** Costs are published medians or typical ranges with a named source, never quotes. Every community and agency prices differently. **On this page** 1. [ Kansas: KanCare Frail Elderly waiver](#g-kansas-kancare-frail-elderly-waiver) 2. [Missouri: Structured Family Caregiver waiver](#g-missouri-structured-family-caregiver-wai) 3. [Veterans: VA caregiver program](#g-veterans-va-caregiver-program) 4. [Other routes](#g-other-routes) 5. [Questions](#g-faq) ## Kansas: KanCare Frail Elderly waiver - For people 65 and older who meet the nursing facility level of care and Medicaid financial rules. - Attendant care can be self-directed, meaning your parent (or their representative) chooses, trains and supervises the worker. - Per KDADS, a family member can be the paid attendant, but not a spouse or someone appointed to act on your parent's behalf (such as an activated durable power of attorney or guardian). - Start with the Aging and Disability Resource Center: 1-855-200-2372. See [KanCare for older adults](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/locations/kansas/kancare-senior-care/). ## Missouri: Structured Family Caregiver waiver - For people 21 and older diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a related dementia who would otherwise need nursing home care. - Personal care and homemaker services are delivered by a live-in primary caregiver, with medication oversight and appointment escorting. - Apply through the Department of Health and Senior Services HCBS line: 1-866-835-3505. See [MO HealthNet for older adults](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/locations/missouri/mo-healthnet-senior-care/). ## Veterans: VA caregiver program The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers serves caregivers of eligible veterans with a service-connected disability rated 70% or higher who need at least 6 months of continuous in-person personal care. Benefits can include a monthly stipend, health coverage through CHAMPVA, training and counseling. See [VA caregiver program](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/veterans/va-caregiver-program/). ## Other routes - **Long-term care insurance:** some policies pay family members; check the policy. - **Family care agreement:** a parent can pay a family member from their own money under a written agreement. Because this can affect taxes and future Medicaid eligibility, talk to an elder law attorney first. - **Caregiver support:** even if you can't be paid, your Area Agency on Aging may offer respite, training and support. ### Caring for a parent at home? We'll help you understand programs and find extra help near Kansas City. Free. [ (800) 614-8388 ](tel:+18006148388)[Have us call you](#g-form) ## Questions families ask ### Can I get paid to take care of my mom in Kansas? Possibly. If she's on the KanCare Frail Elderly waiver, she can choose a family member who isn't her spouse or legal representative as a paid attendant. ### Can I get paid to take care of a parent in Missouri? Possibly. Missouri's Structured Family Caregiver waiver supports live-in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or another dementia who qualify. ### Can a spouse be paid as a caregiver? Under the Kansas Frail Elderly waiver, no. The VA caregiver program can include a spouse. ### Does Medicare pay family caregivers? No. ## Sources - [KDADS: Frail Elderly (FE) waiver](https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-programs/hcbs-programs/frail-elderly-fe) - [Missouri DSS: HCBS Waiver Finder](https://dss.mo.gov/mhd/waiver/mo-hcbs-waiver-finder) - [VA.gov: Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers](https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiver-benefits/health-and-disability/comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers/) - [VA.gov: Long-term care and geriatrics](https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/long-term-care/) - [ACL: National Family Caregiver Support Program](https://acl.gov/programs/support-caregivers/national-family-caregiver-support-program) ## Related guides - [Paying for it](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/) - [VA caregiver program](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/veterans/va-caregiver-program/) - [KanCare for seniors](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/locations/kansas/kancare-senior-care/) - [MO HealthNet for seniors](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/locations/missouri/mo-healthnet-senior-care/) - [Caring for elderly parents](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/for-families/caring-for-elderly-parents/) - [Bridge loans](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/bridge-loan/) - [How to pay for assisted living](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/how-to-pay-for-assisted-living/) - [Life insurance](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/life-insurance/) - [Long-term care insurance](https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/long-term-care-insurance/) --- Canonical page: https://seniortransitionassistance.com/help/paying-for-it/paid-family-caregiver/