Key Takeaways
- Eligible family members may become paid caregivers through Illinois’ Community Care Program (CCP) or Home Services Program (HSP), depending on program requirements.
- The care recipient must be 60 years or older (CCP) or living with a qualifying disability (HSP).
- Caregiving for a parent or relative usually starts with tasks you’re likely already doing.
- A friend or neighbor can qualify too, not just immediate family members.
Estimated read time: 5 minutes
Wondering how to become a paid caregiver for a family member in Illinois? If you’re already caring for a loved one and helping with daily tasks, the answer usually isn’t a simple yes or no, it depends on the care recipient’s needs and which state program fits. Becoming a homecare aide for a loved one takes time, dedication, and patience, but for many families it’s a natural next step rather than a big leap.
Is Family Caregiving the Right Fit?
Many seniors feel more comfortable receiving care from someone they know well rather than an unfamiliar aide. Family members often already understand a loved one’s habits, preferences, and needs in ways an outside caregiver can’t match right away. That said, family caregiving is real work, it requires patience and consistency, not just good intentions. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, trained caregivers at Home Care Powered by AUAF are another option, and local caregiver support resources can help you weigh the decision either way.
The Caregiving Tasks You May Already Be Doing
As loved ones age, family members often take on small tasks without thinking of it as “caregiving”: laundry, grooming help, personal care, meal preparation, or driving to appointments. These are the same core duties that come with the formal caregiver role. For a fuller picture, see our complete list of routine caregiver tasks, or explore part-time and full-time caregiver positions if the time commitment makes more sense as paid work rather than unpaid help.
Requirements for Family Members and Friends
Illinois runs two main paid caregiving programs for a family caregiver in Illinois, the Community Care Program CCP and the Home Services Program HSP, and the requirements differ depending on which one applies to your situation:
Under CCP, the care recipient works with the Illinois Department on Aging to select a preferred home care aide, and that aide can be a family member or friend, not just a professional agency staffer. People who are both Medicaid- and non-Medicaid-eligible can enroll. If your loved one is under 60 and living with a disability instead, the Home Services Program HSP covers that situation, allowing the care recipient to hire, train, supervise, and direct their own personal assistant, depending on program requirements.
How the Application Process Works
Once your family member or friend is enrolled in a nursing facility alternative like CCP, you’ll separately apply to become their caregiver. This includes hiring paperwork and required training, if you’re 18 or older, the process usually starts with a phone call to schedule your caregiver application. In many cases, the caregiver application process can begin while the care recipient is completing enrollment, depending on program timelines., so you’re not stuck waiting on one before starting the other. Many of Illinois’s caregiver programs also build in respite care, giving you scheduled breaks while your loved one continues receiving care.
If transportation is an issue and you can’t get to an AUAF location in Lincolnwood, a representative can come to you to start the process, just call ahead to arrange it.
Thinking about becoming a paid caregiver for your loved one? Start your application with Home Care Powered by AUAF, or call (773) 274-9262 to talk it through first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family member get paid to be a caregiver in Illinois?
Yes. Eligible family members may be paid caregivers through programs such as CCP or HSP if program requirements are met.
What are the requirements to get paid to care for a family member?
The care recipient must meet the program’s eligibility rules (age, residency, and care needs), and the caregiver must be at least 18, pass a background check, and complete required training hours.
How much do family caregivers make in Illinois?
Home Care Powered by AUAF currently pays eligible family caregivers $21 per hour. Weekly earnings depend on the number of approved service hours.
What disqualifies you from being a caregiver in Illinois?
Failing a background check, not meeting the minimum age or training requirements, or the care recipient not meeting program eligibility can all disqualify an applicant.
