If you're caring for an aging parent or a spouse in Maryland, the hardest part usually isn't whether help exists. It's knowing what's there and where to start. Maryland's caregiver programs can pay a family member through Medicaid self-direction, provide a respite break, and connect you with help, and this guide maps them in one place.

You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to fund all of it from your own savings.

In This Guide

Maryland Caregiver Programs at a Glance

Program What It Offers Who It's For Cost to You
Community First Choice (CFC) Personal assistance and supports at home; no waitlist Full-Medicaid adults needing a nursing-facility level of care Free (paid by Medicaid)
Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS) Personal-care help; can self-direct and hire a relative Medicaid participants needing lighter hands-on help Free (paid by Medicaid)
Community Options Waiver Assisted living, case management, medical day care, and community supports People needing a nursing-facility level of care, income up to 300% of SSI Free (paid by Medicaid); has a waitlist
Family Caregiver Support Program Respite, counseling, training, support Caregivers of someone 60+, or any age with dementia Free
VA caregiver stipend (PCAFC) Tax-free monthly stipend; a spouse can receive it Eligible veterans' primary family caregivers Free (VA benefit)

Which Maryland Caregiver Programs Pay Family Members

For many families, this is the real question: can the person already doing the caregiving get paid for it? In Maryland, often yes, through Medicaid's self-directed personal-assistance programs.

The most direct path is self-direction. Under Community Personal Assistance Services (CPAS), a Maryland Medicaid participant can self-direct their care, which means they hire, schedule, and direct their own personal assistant, and that assistant can be a relative or a friend. The program handles the pay through Medicaid, so the family isn't covering the wages out of pocket.

Maryland's larger personal-assistance program is Community First Choice (CFC), run by the Maryland Department of Health's Office of Long Term Services and Supports. CFC covers personal assistance and related supports at home for people who have full Medicaid and need a nursing-facility level of care. Because it's a Medicaid state-plan benefit rather than a capped waiver, there's no waitlist.

For people who need more than personal care, the Community Options Waiver (also called the Home and Community-Based Options Waiver) adds services like assisted living, case management, medical day care, and Senior Center Plus, for those who need a nursing-facility level of care but want to stay in the community, with income up to 300% of the SSI rate. Unlike CFC, this waiver has a waitlist.

Respite Care in Maryland

Caregiving without a break isn't sustainable, and Maryland has help. The state's Family Caregiver Support Program, Maryland's version of the federal National Family Caregiver Support Program, provides respite care, a temporary break from caregiving, along with counseling, support groups, caregiver training, and help finding services. It serves caregivers of adults 60 and older, and caregivers of a person of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

The federal program behind it exists in every state, so if you move or have family caring across state lines, the same kind of help is available elsewhere.

Where to Start: Maryland Access Point

If all of this feels like a lot to sort through, there's a single front door. Maryland Access Point (MAP) is the place to call to find out what you qualify for and how to apply, and it's how you join the Community Options Waiver registry, at 844-627-5465. MAP is a referral and information gateway, not a program that pays or provides care itself, but it's the right first call.

VA Caregiver Benefits for Maryland Veterans

If the person you care for is a veteran, a separate set of benefits opens up on top of anything Maryland Medicaid offers. The VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays an eligible veteran's approved primary family caregiver a tax-free monthly stipend, and a spouse can serve as that caregiver. Our 50-state guide to getting paid as a family caregiver covers the VA path and how to apply.

Will You Owe Taxes on Caregiver Pay?

Money you're paid to provide care is generally taxable income, and how it's taxed depends on the program. When a family member is paid to provide care, they're often treated as a household employee for tax purposes. The VA caregiver stipend, by contrast, is tax-free. There are also federal tax benefits some caregiving families can use, like the Child and Dependent Care Credit. A tax preparer can tell you what applies to your situation before you file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maryland pay family caregivers?

Often, yes. Through Medicaid self-direction, a participant can hire and pay their own personal assistant, including a relative or friend. The largest personal-assistance program, Community First Choice, has no waitlist.

Can I get a respite break in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland's Family Caregiver Support Program offers respite care along with counseling and training for caregivers of someone 60 or older, or any age with dementia.

Where do I start in Maryland?

Call Maryland Access Point, the state's information and referral gateway, at 844-627-5465. They'll tell you what you qualify for and how to apply.

Learn More

CaregiverCaregiver Programs by StateA directory of caregiver programs in all 50 states: paid family caregiver pathways, respite, NFCSP grants, and VA benefits. Find your state's complete guide. CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family CaregiverHow to get paid to care for a family member in 2026: Medicaid self-direction, VA caregiver programs, personal care agreements, plus all 50 state guides. CaregiverRespite Care for Family CaregiversWhat respite care is, the in-home and facility options, and the programs (NFCSP, Lifespan Respite, Medicaid, VA) that help families pay for a caregiver's break. CaregiverHow to Find Respite Care in MarylandA 2026 Maryland guide to respite care for family caregivers: free NFCSP help via Maryland Access Point, Medicaid HCBS, VA respite, adult day care, and costs. FinancialHow to Pay for Senior CareHow to pay for senior care: what it costs nationally and how Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, and private pay each fit. Who qualifies, what's covered, in 2026.

Find personalized help sorting out Maryland caregiver programs at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.