WASHINGTON · PROGRAM GUIDE

Washington:
Apple Health Long-Term Services and Supports — Individual Provider

In Washington, getting paid to help a relative at home usually involves two separate conversations: the relative's eligibility for Apple Health long-term services and supports, and your employment as an Individual Provider. Consumer Direct Care Network Washington handles the employment side. The person receiving services continues to direct day-to-day care. Start with the actual funding program, because Washington also offers WA Cares benefits and other pathways whose rules are different.

Official sources checked: 2026-11-15. View references

Program at a glance

Program: Apple Health Long-Term Services and Supports — Individual Provider
State agency: Washington DSHS, with Apple Health financial eligibility rules
Payroll or employer arrangement: Consumer Direct Care Network Washington (CDWA), the Consumer Directed Employer
Payment arrangement: Authorized hourly personal care or respite; an Individual Provider employment arrangement
Spouses: A spouse cannot be paid through the Apple Health LTSS route described here. WA Cares and Veteran Directed Care have separate rules.
Parents of minors: Parent-of-minor arrangements require a separate program review; an adult-relative rule is not permission to provide paid care to one's child.

Apple Health and WA Cares are different routes

An Individual Provider, or IP, is a worker role rather than the name of a cash benefit. Under the Consumer Directed Employer arrangement, CDWA employs the IP while the client selects, schedules and supervises the worker. A licensed home care agency is another delivery option. WA Cares has its own benefit eligibility and provider arrangements; the fact that it permits some family-care arrangements does not change Apple Health's spouse exclusion. When calling, use the exact program name instead of asking only about 'Washington caregiver pay'.

Financial review and the CARE assessment

DSHS uses the Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation, known as CARE, to examine functional needs and develop a care plan. The financial review is a separate step. Washington Connection is used for many long-term-care applications; Healthplanfinder is not the main application route for every LTSS case. Prepare concrete examples of help needed with bathing, dressing, walking and meals. Ask the case manager which needs are covered, how the authorized service amount was calculated, and how to request review if important information was missed.

Separate eligibility delays from hiring delays

A pending benefits application, an unscheduled CARE assessment and an incomplete CDWA hiring file are different problems. Ask who owns each next step and keep the case reference. We have not verified a universal approval period for Washington, and an accepted employment application does not authorize a client's services. If the family needs help immediately, ask the case manager about available interim support and a backup plan. Do not plan a household budget around a proposed start date until both service authorization and worker readiness are confirmed.

Getting hired as an Individual Provider

Tell the client's case manager that the client wishes to select you. Then follow CDWA's hiring instructions, including identity, work authorization, background checks and the training assigned to your worker category. Training depends on the relationship and caregiving role; family status is not a reason to skip instructions. Keep the hiring confirmation alongside the service plan. A family can divide responsibilities among more than one approved worker, but scheduling must stay within the authorized arrangement and any applicable workweek limits.

EVV has a specific live-in exception

Washington requires electronic visit verification for covered in-home services, but Individual Providers who live with their client have a specific exception after the required attestation. This exception does not extend automatically to employees of home care agencies. Non-live-in CDWA providers use the employer's EVV process. A live-in worker still needs to follow CDWA's instructions for reporting shifts and receiving pay. Confirm the recorded living arrangement when moving, and correct inaccurate entries through the employer rather than duplicating a shift.

Your next steps

Contact DSHS Home and Community Services about the client's LTSS application and CARE assessment.
Confirm the approved program, covered tasks, service amount and whether your relationship is allowed.
Complete CDWA hiring, screening and relationship-specific training requirements.
Obtain the authorized start date and ask CDWA how to report visits or attest to live-in status.

Explore a pay scenario

The table uses a hypothetical amount of $18.00 per hour. This is not a rate verified for this state. Approved units depend on the assessment and written plan; the table does not establish a maximum or entitlement.

Illustrative gross amounts before applicable deductions
Hours/week	Weekly	Monthly average
20	$360.00	$1,560.00
30	$540.00	$2,340.00
40	$720.00	$3,120.00

Monthly average = weekly × 52 ÷ 12. Overtime and taxes are not calculated.

Edit this example in the calculator →

Does caregiver pay qualify for IRS Notice 2014-7?

IRS Notice 2014-7 can exclude certain qualifying Medicaid waiver payments from federal gross income when the care recipient lives in the provider’s home. Sharing a home alone is not enough: the payment and program must qualify. This is not an exemption for all caregiver wages, all taxes or all state programs. Ask payroll which payments are covered and check the IRS guidance or a qualified tax adviser. Our calculator does not apply a tax exemption.

Read the IRS questions and answers

Prepare for the conversation

Save the official program contact and application route.Prepare questions about family relationships and representative roles.Ask for the approved rate, units and start date in writing.Check enrollment, timekeeping and payroll instructions.Remember these task ticks on this device

Optional. Only task numbers are saved in your browser; nothing is sent to us. Untick to erase saved progress. Avoid saving on shared devices.

Questions families ask

Can I receive Apple Health pay for caring for my spouse?

DSHS says no under Apple Health LTSS. Ask separately about WA Cares or Veteran Directed Care if relevant; their eligibility is independent.

Does CDWA decide how many care hours my parent receives?

The client's service amount is determined through the care assessment and authorization. CDWA handles employment and payroll, not an unrestricted increase in the benefit.

Does living together mean no time records are needed?

No. The IP live-in exception concerns EVV requirements. Follow CDWA's separate instructions for recording and submitting worked shifts.

Can I apply as a caregiver before my relative is approved?

You can ask CDWA about hiring preparation, but preparation is not a service authorization. Confirm when paid work may begin before relying on reimbursement.

Official sources and review notes

Sources describe the named programs; they do not endorse this website. Rules and provider arrangements can change. Check the linked agency before making a financial decision.

Suggest a correction with an official source →

Washington:Apple Health Long-Term Services and Supports — Individual Provider