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Paid Caregiver in Illinois: Who Qualifies Beyond Family · Home Care Powered By AUAF

• 0:13
  SPEAKER_01: Today, we're talking about who can be a paid caregiver in Illinois.
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_01: I'm Elena, and I'm here with Brooks.
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks, Elena.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: This question comes up all the time.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: People assume only a son or daughter can get paid to care for a parent.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_01: And the real answer is much wider.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_01: A paid caregiver in Illinois can be a spouse, an adult child, another relative, a friend, or even a neighbor.
• 0:38
  SPEAKER_00: So how does that actually work?
• 0:41
  SPEAKER_00: Who is paying them?
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_01: In Illinois, there are two state programs.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_01: The first is the Community Care Program, which most people call CCP.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_01: It serves adults who are 60 or older, and the Illinois Department on Aging runs it.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: And the second one?
• 0:57
  SPEAKER_01: The second is the Home Services Program, or HSP.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_01: That one serves adults under 60 who have a severe disability, and the Department of Human Services runs it.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: Let's start with the community care program, since that's the one most families use for an older parent or a spouse.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: Sure.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_01: Under CCP, the caregiver doesn't work for the family.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_01: They work for an in-home service provider, which is an agency.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: And the Department on Aging's in-home service page spells out who that agency can hire, right?
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, as of when we checked it in October 2026.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_01: A provider may hire any family member, including a spouse.
• 1:37
  SPEAKER_01: It may also hire a friend, a neighbor, a power of attorney, a legal guardian, or a representative payee.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: That's a long list.
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: Is there a catch?
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_01: One important one.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_01: Not every in-home service provider hires family members, so you need to pick a provider that does.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_00: Good to know.
• 1:56
  SPEAKER_00: Let's talk about spouses, because I think that surprises people the most.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_01: It does.
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_01: Many spouses already help with meals, bathing, and medication reminders every day.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_01: Under CCP, a provider can hire that spouse as the paid home care aide.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: But the home services program is different for spouses.
• 2:16
  SPEAKER_01: It is.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_01: According to Illinois Legal Aid Online, HSP can't pay a relative who already has a legal duty to care.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_01: That covers a spouse, a parent of a minor child, and a minor child of the person receiving care.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: So under HSP, an adult child or a sibling could still be paid, but a husband or wife could not.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, say I'm the daughter or the friend next door, and I want to do this.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: What do I have to do first?
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_01: The rules are the same, whatever the relationship.
• 2:49
  SPEAKER_01: You need to meet the provider's job qualifications and pass a criminal history check.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_01: The provider starts that check after a job offer.
• 2:57
  SPEAKER_00: And training?
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_01: 24 hours of pre-service training.
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_01: You also agree to work under the provider's supervision.
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_00: Can you walk us through the usual order of steps?
• 3:07
  SPEAKER_01: First, call the Illinois Senior Helpline to request an assessment.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_01: Then, a case manager comes to the home and does something called the determination of need assessment.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: That's the need score.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_01: Next, you choose an in-home service provider that hires family members and friends.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_01: The caregiver applies with that provider, passes the background check, and finishes training.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_01: Finally, paid care starts for the approved number of hours each week.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Any tips on choosing a provider?
• 3:37
  SPEAKER_01: Ask a few simple questions.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_01: Do you hire family members or friends as aides?
• 3:42
  SPEAKER_01: How soon does training start?
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_01: Who supervises the caregiver day to day?
• 3:47
  SPEAKER_00: And if it isn't a good fit?
• 3:49
  SPEAKER_01: The Department on Aging says you're free to change your mind at any time.
• 3:53
  SPEAKER_00: Let's flip to the person who receives care.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: What does the state look for?
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_01: For CCP, the Department on Aging lists these.
• 4:02
  SPEAKER_01: The person is 60 or older.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_01: They're a U.S.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_01: citizen or an eligible non-citizen, and they live in Illinois.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: What about money?
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_01: Non-exempt assets of$17,500 or less.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_01: The home, the car, and household furnishings don't count.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_01: They also need an assessed need for long-term care, and they apply for Medicaid and enroll if they're eligible.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: And for adults under 60, it's the home services program with the same$17,500 asset limit for adults.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_01: That's right.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_01: Both programs use that determination of need score.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_01: According to Illinois Legal Aid Online, a higher score may allow more services.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: So the caregiver's pay follows the approved hours, not a flat salary.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: Here's another question we hear a lot.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: What if I'm looking for a caregiver for an elderly parent, but nobody in the family can take it on?
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_01: That's a fair question to ask first.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_01: Does someone in the family want the work, or would you rather have a trained aide come in?
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_01: If a relative wants the role, the CCP path lets them earn pay for care they may already give.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_01: If not, an agency like AUAF can send a trained caregiver for meals, bathing, and daily routines.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_00: Let's end on support because this work is demanding even when it's paid.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_01: It really is.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_01: CCP also offers adult day service, which gives family caregivers a break while the older adult spends the day at a supervised center.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_01: Support groups help too, and you can ask your care coordination unit about respite options.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_00: And plan for the long run.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Paid care often lasts months or years.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: So set a routine, share tasks with other relatives, and tell the case manager when needs change.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_01: Everything we covered today is in the full article on homecareid.com with links to the state's own pages.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: And remember, this is general information, not personal legal or benefits advice.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_00: For your situation, check with your care coordination unit or the program directly.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_01: This episode uses AI generated host voices.