In Wyoming, the clearest way to get paid as a family caregiver is to care for a wartime veteran, whose VA benefits can pay a family member up to $34,488 a year in 2026. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a designated family caregiver, a spouse included, a federally tax-free monthly stipend with no spousal exclusion, and VA Aid and Attendance adds pension income of up to $34,488 a year for a married veteran with one dependent.,

For non-veteran households, paid family caregiving in Wyoming runs mainly through Medicaid's home and community-based services. Wyoming's Community Choices Waiver (CCW) allows consumer-directed personal care and may permit a family member, including a spouse, as the paid attendant; confirm family-member and spousal eligibility with Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 before counting on it.

The Short Version

If the care recipient is a wartime veteran, VA programs are the strongest route. PCAFC pays spouses and other family members a federally tax-free monthly stipend. Veteran-Directed Care lets the veteran hire any caregiver, including a spouse, from a flexible monthly budget. Aid and Attendance adds pension income the veteran can direct toward family care.

If the care recipient qualifies for Wyoming's HCBS waiver, consumer-directed personal care may allow a family member as the paid attendant. Contact Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 to confirm eligibility and the specific family-hire rules.

If neither VA benefits nor Medicaid applies, a private personal services contract is the fallback. It must be written before care begins, at a fair-market rate, with documentation to protect against Medicaid look-back scrutiny.

What Wyoming Offers

Community Choices Waiver (CCW)

Wyoming's Community Choices Waiver (CCW) provides home and community-based services for Medicaid-eligible older adults and adults with disabilities who would otherwise require nursing facility care. Covered services include personal support services, homemaker, adult day services, home health aide, and respite. Under consumer-directed personal care, family members may be eligible to serve as the paid attendant, confirm current family-member and spousal eligibility with Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531.

Consumer-directed pay tracks the waiver's authorized attendant rate rather than a fixed statewide wage, so the dollar figure depends on approved hours. For a real-world benchmark, Wyoming's non-medical home-care rate ran about $46 an hour in 2025, the highest in the nation and well above the roughly $35-an-hour national median, which works out to about $7,974 a month for 40 hours of care a week (CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, an industry survey, not a government figure).

The Wyoming Department of Health Division of Healthcare Financing administers the CCW. Wyoming Medicaid can also help with eligibility questions at 1-307-777-7531 or 1-800-510-0280.

NFCSP Through the Wyoming Aging Division

The National Family Caregiver Support Program channels federal Title III-E funds through the Wyoming Aging Division, which as a single Planning and Service Area delivers services through grants to local providers rather than separate regional Area Agencies on Aging, covering respite care, individual counseling, caregiver training, and supplemental services. NFCSP serves caregivers of adults age 60 or older, grandparents and relative caregivers of children under 18, and caregivers of people with Alzheimer's or related dementias at any age. NFCSP does not pay the caregiver a wage.

To connect with local services, contact the Wyoming Aging Division or use the Eldercare Locator.

Six Ways to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Wyoming

Pathway 1: CCW Consumer-Directed Personal Care

For Medicaid-eligible Wyoming residents who qualify for the Community Choices Waiver (CCW), consumer-directed personal care may allow a family member, including a spouse, to be hired as the paid attendant.

1
Step 1

Start the waiver application

The care recipient contacts Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 to begin the CCW eligibility process.

2
Step 2

Complete the needs assessment

A functional and financial assessment determines eligibility for the waiver.

3
Step 3

Confirm the family-hire rule

If approved for consumer direction, confirm with Wyoming Medicaid whether the specific family relationship, including a spouse, is permitted as the paid attendant under current rules.

4
Step 4

Set up payroll

Payments run through a fiscal management service that handles tax withholding and W-2 issuance.

5
Step 5

Begin receiving pay

The family caregiver receives regular pay at the authorized attendant rate.

Pathway 2: Additional Wyoming Medicaid LTSS Options

Wyoming may offer additional home and community-based service options for specific populations. Contact Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 to ask about all available HCBS programs and whether family members are eligible as paid service providers under current rules.

Pathway 3: VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC)

The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers pays a monthly stipend to a designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible veteran. Spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, and other family members all qualify, with no spousal exclusion.

Eligibility requires the veteran to have a service-connected disability rating of at least 70% (single or combined) and a need for at least six months of personal care assistance. The stipend is monthly, not hourly. It starts from the OPM General Schedule grade 4, step 1 annual salary for the veteran's geographic locality, divided by 12, and that monthly base is then multiplied by a factor. 38 CFR 71.40(c)(4)(i) sets four factors, and which one applies turns first on whether the veteran is in the current program or is a legacy participant or legacy applicant.

  • Current program, meaning the veteran meets 38 CFR 71.20(a): the multiplier is 0.625, or 1.00 if the VA determines the veteran is "unable to self-sustain in the community."
  • Legacy participant or legacy applicant under 38 CFR 71.20(b) or (c): the multiplier is set by the sum of the veteran's 2019 clinical ratings, with no self-sustain determination required. A sum of 21 or higher pays 1.00, 13 through 20 pays 0.625, and 1 through 12 pays 0.25.
  • A veteran who meets both sets of criteria is paid whichever of the two amounts is higher.
  • A legacy participant has a floor as well: the stipend cannot drop below what the caregiver was eligible to receive the day before October 1, 2020, while the veteran remains at the address on record. The legacy schedule itself lapses October 1, 2028.

For a legacy Wyoming household, the practical point is that the 2019 rating sum alone can reach the full 1.00 multiplier. Do not assume the "unable to self-sustain" finding is the only way to the top amount.

The stipend is not treated as taxable income and is not reported on a W-2. Primary caregivers also receive CHAMPVA health coverage (if otherwise uninsured), mental health counseling, and respite care support. Contact the Cheyenne VA Medical Center or Sheridan VA Medical Center Caregiver Support Coordinator for current Wyoming locality figures and enrollment guidance.

Pathway 4: VA Veteran-Directed Care (VDC)

VA Veteran-Directed Care is the VA's self-direction program, operated jointly with the Administration for Community Living through Area Agency on Aging partnerships. The veteran receives a monthly care budget and can hire any caregiver, including a spouse, at a rate set within that budget.

VDC availability depends on whether the veteran's VAMC offers the program. Contact the Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center or Sheridan VA Medical Center to confirm current VDC enrollment in Wyoming. The hired family caregiver receives payroll through a Financial Management Services contractor and is issued a W-2.

Pathway 5: VA Aid and Attendance

VA Aid and Attendance is a pension enhancement for wartime veterans needing daily-living help, and for surviving spouses with similar needs.

2026 Aid and Attendance maximum annual pension rates (effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026):

  • Single veteran: up to $29,093 per year
  • Married veteran with one dependent: up to $34,488
  • Surviving spouse (no dependents): up to $18,697

The VA publishes these as annual ceilings: VA pays each minus countable income, so a household with income receives less, and a monthly figure is just the annual amount divided by 12.

The net worth limit is $163,699. VA pension is subject to a 36-month look-back on transfers under 38 CFR 3.276 made on or after October 18, 2018.

The veteran receives the pension. Families can direct those funds to a family caregiver through a personal arrangement or services contract. Aid and Attendance has no Wyoming Medicaid enrollment requirement.

Pathway 6: Private Personal Services Contract

For families outside both VA and Wyoming Medicaid systems, a personal services contract documents and compensates caregiving work. Requirements:

  • Written and signed before care begins
  • Specific about services, schedule, and rate
  • Priced at or below what local home care agencies charge for the same services (in Wyoming, that market rate was about $46 an hour for non-medical home care in 2025 per the CareScout 2025 Cost of Care Survey, so a defensible contract rate would sit at or under that benchmark)
  • Supported by ongoing service logs

Wyoming Medicaid applies a 60-month look-back on asset transfers. Undocumented cash payments to family members can appear as gifts and trigger a penalty period. A written contract at a fair-market rate executed before care begins provides a defensible paper trail. Confirm current Wyoming look-back rules with a Wyoming elder-law attorney.

Pathway Administered by Spouse eligible? Typical value Key requirement
CCW consumer-directed care WY Medicaid / Dept of Health May be allowed; confirm at 1-307-777-7531 Authorized hours x attendant rate HCBS waiver financial and functional eligibility
Additional LTSS options WY Medicaid / Dept of Health Confirm with WY Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 Authorized hours x attendant rate Program-specific eligibility
VA PCAFC VA (federal) Yes Varies by locality and by which multiplier applies; tax-free 70%+ service-connected disability
VA Veteran-Directed Care VA + AAA Yes Monthly budget set by VA team VAMC VDC availability
VA Aid and Attendance VA (federal) Veteran pays family member Up to $34,488/yr (married veteran) Wartime service; net worth under $163,699
Personal Services Contract Private Not recommended for Medicaid planning Negotiated rate Written contract before care begins

How to Choose

Veteran household: If the veteran has a 70%+ service-connected rating and needs daily personal care, start with PCAFC. The stipend is tax-free, spouses qualify, and the primary caregiver also receives health coverage. Layer Aid and Attendance pension on top if the veteran qualifies for both. Ask the Cheyenne or Sheridan VAMC Caregiver Support Coordinator about Veteran-Directed Care as a flexible supplement.,

Non-veteran Medicaid household: Call Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531 to confirm CCW eligibility and whether the specific family relationship, including spousal care, is permitted under current rules.

Private-pay household: A personal services contract is the right structure for families outside both systems. Involve a Wyoming elder-law attorney if the care recipient might apply for Wyoming Medicaid within the next five years.

Not sure which pathway fits? Brevy's care navigator can help you work through Wyoming's options. Chat at brevy.com.

IRS Notice 2014-7 and Taxes

If Wyoming's HCBS waiver authorizes payments to a live-in family caregiver, those payments may qualify for the IRS Notice 2014-7 difficulty-of-care income exclusion. When the caregiver and care recipient share the same home as the caregiver's primary residence and the payments come from a qualifying Medicaid HCBS waiver program, the income may be excludable from federal gross income under Internal Revenue Code section 131. Families should verify with a tax professional whether the specific Wyoming program and living arrangement qualify.

PCAFC stipends are excluded from federal gross income and are not reported on a W-2.

Personal services contract income is ordinary taxable income.

Common Misconceptions

"CCW consumer direction automatically allows any family member as the paid attendant." Consumer-directed care under Wyoming's Community Choices Waiver (CCW) may allow family members including a spouse, but specific eligibility conditions must be confirmed with Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531. Do not assume without verification.

"Medicare pays for ongoing personal care." Medicare does not cover long-term personal care or custodial care. It covers short-stay post-hospital skilled nursing and home health for homebound patients with a skilled need. Wyoming Medicaid and VA programs are the routes for ongoing ADL support.

"A verbal arrangement is enough for Medicaid purposes." Wyoming's 60-month look-back treats undocumented payments as potential gifts. A written contract, executed before care begins and priced at a fair-market rate, differentiates legitimate compensation from a transfer that could trigger a penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get paid to care for my parent in Wyoming?

Possibly, through consumer-directed personal care under Wyoming's Community Choices Waiver (CCW), if your parent qualifies for Medicaid LTSS. Family members may be eligible as paid attendants, but rules vary. Confirm current rules with Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531. If your parent is a veteran, PCAFC and Veteran-Directed Care are often the more direct route.

Can a spouse be paid as a caregiver in Wyoming?

Under Wyoming's Community Choices Waiver (CCW) with consumer direction, a spouse may be eligible to serve as the paid attendant. Confirm current rules with Wyoming Medicaid at 1-307-777-7531, as specific conditions apply. For veteran households, PCAFC and VA Veteran-Directed Care both permit spouses to be paid without restriction.

What is the 2026 Aid and Attendance rate?

The VA sets Aid and Attendance as a maximum annual pension rate, not a guaranteed payment. For 2026 (effective December 1, 2025 through November 30, 2026), the rate for a veteran with one dependent is $34,488 a year. For a single veteran, the rate is $29,093 a year. Surviving spouses with no dependents can reach $18,697 a year. Any monthly figure is simply that annual ceiling divided by 12.

Is the PCAFC stipend taxable income?

No. The PCAFC monthly stipend is not counted as taxable income and is not reported on a W-2. Wages paid through state Medicaid programs are generally subject to payroll taxes and federal income tax, though the IRS Notice 2014-7 difficulty-of-care exclusion may apply for qualifying live-in arrangements.

Where to Get Help in Wyoming

Wyoming Medicaid (Division of Healthcare Financing) Helps with HCBS waiver eligibility and whether a family member or spouse can be hired as the paid attendant. 1-307-777-7531 health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/hcbs
Wyoming Department of Health Aging Division Helps with NFCSP respite, counseling, and caregiver training delivered through local providers. 1-800-442-2766 health.wyo.gov/aging
VA Caregiver Support Line Helps with PCAFC and Veteran-Directed Care questions and enrollment for veteran households. 1-855-260-3274 www.caregiver.va.gov
Eldercare Locator Helps with finding your local Area Agency on Aging and nearby community services. 1-800-677-1116 eldercare.acl.gov

Learn More

CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver: The 50-State GuideHow 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. CaregiverHow to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in WashingtonGet paid to care for a family member in Washington in 2026: Community First Choice individual providers, CDWA, the new WA Cares spousal pathway, and VA options. VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance in WyomingVA Aid and Attendance in Wyoming for 2026: who qualifies, maximum rates up to $34,488 a year, how to apply, and free help from Wyoming service officers. CaregiverCaregiver Burnout: Signs and SupportHow to recognize caregiver burnout, why it happens, and what actually helps, from respite care to evidence-based programs like REACH II and Powerful Tools. MedicaidMedicaid Planning StrategiesSee which assets you keep, how the 5-year look-back works, and the legal moves that qualify you for Medicaid long-term care without losing the house.

Find personalized help choosing the right Wyoming paid-caregiver pathway 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.