Get Paid to Care for Your Elderly Parent in Washington State
Washington State has built one of the most caregiver-friendly systems in the country. Through the Individual Provider (IP) program, adult children who care for an aging parent can earn $17–$21 per hour, wages backed by union collective bargaining and rising annually. For many families, this program is life-changing.
This guide explains how Washington's IP program works, what you need to qualify, how to get started, and how your earnings stack up against home care agency alternatives.
Washington Stands Apart
Washington is one of only a handful of states where Individual Providers belong to a union (SEIU 775), giving family caregivers collectively bargained wages, access to health insurance, and a paid training system. No other state offers this combination.
Washington State pays family caregivers $17–$21 per hour through the Individual Provider program. Your parent must qualify for Medicaid and in-home care through DSHS. You must complete 70 hours of training, pass a background check, and register with the state caregiver registry. Spouses are generally excluded.
Washington's Main Program: Individual Provider (IP)
The Individual Provider program is administered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). When a Medicaid-eligible senior qualifies for in-home personal care, they have the choice of receiving services from a home care agency or directly hiring an Individual Provider of their choosing.
Adult children, siblings, and other relatives can serve as Individual Providers, they just need to complete the registration and training requirements that apply to all IPs statewide.
Union Representation: SEIU 775
Washington's Individual Providers are represented by SEIU 775, which has negotiated contracts with the state for over two decades. The result is a structured wage scale with annual increases, access to employer-sponsored health coverage, dental and vision benefits for qualifying hours, and a free training infrastructure that ranks among the best in the country. Family members who become IPs receive the same wages and benefits as professional home care workers.
Current IP Wage Scale
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (new IP) | $17.00–$18.00/hr | Rate upon completing required training |
| Mid-level (1–3 years) | $18.50–$20.00/hr | With completed continuing education |
| Advanced (3+ years) | $20.00–$21.00/hr | Maximum scale for complex care |
Rates are subject to collective bargaining updates. Check dshs.wa.gov for the current wage schedule.
What You Can Be Paid to Do
- Personal care: bathing, grooming, dressing, oral hygiene, shaving
- Toileting assistance and incontinence care
- Transfers and positioning (bed to chair, wheelchair assistance)
- Meal preparation, special diets, and feeding assistance
- Light housekeeping essential to health and safety
- Grocery shopping and errand assistance
- Medication reminders
- Transportation to medical and therapeutic appointments
- Accompaniment and supervision for cognitively impaired clients
Eligibility Requirements
Your Parent Must:
- Be enrolled in Washington State's Apple Health (Medicaid) program
- Be assessed by DSHS and authorized for in-home personal care hours
- Reside in a community setting (home or adult family home)
- Meet functional eligibility for in-home long-term care services
- Choose the IP delivery model rather than an agency
You (the IP Caregiver) Must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Not be the client's spouse or state-registered domestic partner
- Pass a DSHS background check (criminal and abuse registry)
- Complete 70 hours of required training within 120 days of hire
- Register with the Washington State Home Care Aide Registry
- Complete an IP application and receive a provider number
- Be legally eligible to work in the United States
Spouses and registered domestic partners cannot be paid Individual Providers under Washington's Medicaid-funded programs. Adult children, including step-children and legally adopted children, are eligible. Legal guardians of adult clients may be eligible in specific circumstances.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
- Apply for Apple Health (Washington Medicaid). If your parent is not already enrolled, apply at wahealthplanfinder.org or call 1-855-923-4633. Income and asset limits apply for long-term care Medicaid.
- Contact DSHS ALTSA for a functional assessment. Call 1-800-422-3263 or contact your local DSHS Community Services Office. A DSHS social worker will conduct a Comprehensive Assessment (CA) to determine your parent's care needs and authorized hours.
- Select the Individual Provider option. Once your parent is authorized for in-home care hours, they will be asked to choose their preferred service delivery model. Select "Individual Provider" and indicate that they want to hire a family member.
- Complete the IP application. You (as the future IP) complete an Individual Provider application through DSHS. This includes providing identity documents, completing a background check authorization, and listing your parent as your client.
- Receive your provider number. After your background check is cleared, DSHS will issue you a provider number. This number is required to submit timesheets and receive payment.
- Complete the 70-hour required training. New Individual Providers must complete 70 hours of training within 120 days of hire. Training is available free through the SEIU 775 Benefits Group at myseiubenefits.org. Courses can be taken online.
- Begin care and submit timesheets through CARE. Timesheets are submitted through Washington's electronic CARE system. Paychecks from the state are issued every two weeks. Union dues are automatically deducted for SEIU 775 members.
Washington's required 70-hour training for new Individual Providers is available at no cost through the SEIU 775 Benefits Group online training portal. Many family caregivers complete the entire training within their first month of hire while simultaneously caring for their parent.
Other Washington Programs That Pay Family Caregivers
COPES and Medicaid Personal Care Waivers
Washington's Community Options Program Entry System (COPES) and Medicaid Personal Care programs both allow Individual Providers. If your parent qualifies for either waiver, the IP structure and wages are the same. The difference lies in the services covered, COPES includes a broader range of supports beyond personal care.
Washington State Family Caregiver Support Program
Funded through the Older Americans Act, this program provides supplemental support to family caregivers including caregiver training, counseling, and respite care funding. It does not replace IP wages but can provide additional resources. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging at eldercare.acl.gov.
VA Veteran-Directed Care
If your parent is a Washington veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, the VA Veteran-Directed Care program provides a monthly budget that can pay family caregivers. Contact the social worker at American Lake VA Medical Center (Tacoma), VA Puget Sound (Seattle), or the Mann-Grandstaff VA (Spokane) to inquire about enrollment.
SEIU 775 Benefits for Family IPs
Once you reach sufficient work hours as an IP, you may qualify for the SEIU 775 Benefits Group health insurance plan, including medical, dental, and vision. This is a significant benefit that most state caregiver programs do not offer. Visit myseiubenefits.org for current eligibility thresholds.
Not Sure If Your Parent Qualifies?
Use our free Benefits Checker to see if your parent meets Washington's Medicaid and functional eligibility requirements for in-home care.
Check Eligibility NowTax Implications for Washington Individual Providers
Federal Taxes
- W-2 from the state: Washington State issues W-2s for IP wages. Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes are withheld.
- IRS Notice 2014-7: If you live with your parent (the Medicaid client), your IP wages may be exempt from federal income tax as "Difficulty of Care" payments. This is a significant exclusion, confirm with a tax professional before claiming it.
- No Washington State income tax: Washington does not have a personal income tax, which means there is no state-level income tax on your IP earnings, a meaningful advantage over most other states.
Union Dues
SEIU 775 dues are deducted from your paycheck. As of 2026, dues are approximately 3.2% of wages. These are deductible as a business expense on your federal return if you itemize deductions.
Washington is one of nine states with no personal income tax. Your IP wages are subject only to federal income tax (potentially excluded under IRS Notice 2014-7 if you live with your parent) and FICA taxes. This makes Washington IP wages among the highest net earnings for family caregivers in the country.
What Washington Caregivers Are Actually Earning
A Washington family caregiver working 40 hours per week at $19 per hour earns approximately $3,040 per month before taxes, or roughly $36,480 annually. At the higher end of the scale with 40+ hours, annual earnings can exceed $40,000. With the No State Income Tax benefit and potential federal Difficulty of Care exclusion, net take-home pay is higher in Washington than in most comparable states.
For context, a nursing home in Washington averages $120,000–$200,000 per year. Community home care agencies charge $28–$40 per hour. Families who use the IP program frequently report that their loved ones receive better care at lower overall cost to the state, while family members earn a meaningful income.
Contact Information
- DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration: 1-800-422-3263 | dshs.wa.gov/altsa
- Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollment: wahealthplanfinder.org | 1-855-923-4633
- SEIU 775 Benefits Group (training & benefits): myseiubenefits.org
- Washington State Home Care Aide Registry: doh.wa.gov
- Eldercare Locator (local AAA): eldercare.acl.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington State pays Individual Providers, including family members, between $17 and $21 per hour, making it one of the highest-paying states for family caregivers in the country. Rates are set statewide through collective bargaining and increase annually.
The Individual Provider (IP) program is a Washington State DSHS program that allows Medicaid-eligible seniors and adults with disabilities to hire their own caregivers rather than use a home care agency. Family members, including adult children, can be hired as Individual Providers and paid an hourly wage.
Generally, spouses cannot be paid as Individual Providers in Washington State under Medicaid-funded programs. However, adult children and other relatives can qualify. There are limited exceptions for specific circumstances, contact DSHS to verify current rules.
Yes. Washington State's Individual Providers are represented by SEIU 775, one of the largest home care worker unions in the country. Union membership provides Individual Providers with collectively bargained wages, benefits including health insurance access, and a training and registry system.
Your parent must first qualify for Medicaid and in-home care services through DSHS. Once approved, you complete an IP application, pass a background check, complete required training (70 hours for new IPs), and register with the state caregiver registry. You will receive a provider number and can begin submitting timesheets.
New Individual Providers in Washington must complete 70 hours of required training within 120 days of hire. This includes orientation, safety training, and continuing education courses available through the SEIU 775 Benefits Group training system. Training is free for IPs and can be completed online or in person.
Individual Providers can be paid for personal care assistance (bathing, dressing, grooming), meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, accompaniment to medical appointments, and supervision for clients with cognitive impairment. Specific authorized tasks are outlined in the client's Individual Service Plan.
Yes. Individual Providers who work enough hours may qualify for health insurance through the SEIU 775 Benefits Group, which administers a health plan negotiated through collective bargaining. This is a significant benefit unique to Washington's IP program compared to most other states.