Virginia has three payment tiers for family caregivers in 2024

The Virginia Caregiver Stipend program pays family members who provide daily care to elderly or disabled relatives. The program divides payments into three tiers based on how many hours per week you work as a caregiver. Each tier has a different weekly payment amount, and your tier depends on the number of hours you document caring for the person you support.

The three tiers are: Tier 1 for caregivers working 20 to 34 hours per week, Tier 2 for 35 to 54 hours per week, and Tier 3 for 55 or more hours per week. Your payment amount changes only if your documented hours move you into a different tier — the program does not adjust within a tier based on small hour changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's caregiver stipend has three tiers determined by the number of hours you work each week caring for your family member.
  • Tier 1 covers 20 to 34 hours per week, Tier 2 covers 35 to 54 hours per week, and Tier 3 covers 55 or more hours per week.
  • You must track and document your caregiving hours to prove which tier you belong in, and your payment amount depends on your tier placement.
  • Payment amounts within each tier are set by the state and do not change based on the specific hours you work — only the tier itself determines your weekly stipend.

How the three tiers are structured

Tier 1 is the entry level for the program. You must work a minimum of 20 hours per week to enter Tier 1, and you can work up to 34 hours per week and remain in this tier. If you work 19 hours or fewer, you do not meet the program's minimum requirement. If you work 35 or more hours, you move into Tier 2.

Tier 2 is the middle tier. It covers caregivers working 35 to 54 hours per week. This tier is designed for caregivers who provide substantial daily support but do not yet work full-time caregiver hours. If your documented hours fall below 35 in a given period, you drop back to Tier 1. If they reach 55 or higher, you move to Tier 3.

Tier 3 is for full-time caregivers. You enter Tier 3 when you document 55 or more hours of caregiving per week. There is no upper limit on hours in Tier 3 — whether you work 55 hours or 70 hours per week, your payment remains the same as long as you stay in Tier 3. You remain in Tier 3 as long as your hours stay at 55 or above.

How to document hours for tier placement

Virginia requires you to keep a written record of the hours you spend caring for your family member. This record should include the date, the start time, the end time, and a brief note about the type of care you provided — for example, "personal hygiene information," "meal preparation," or "medication management." The program does not require a specific form, but your documentation must be clear enough for a caseworker to verify.

You submit your hour documentation to your local Department of Social Services office, usually monthly or at the intervals your caseworker specifies. The caseworker reviews your records and calculates your total hours for the period. If your hours place you in a different tier than the previous period, your payment amount changes starting with the next payment cycle.

Keep copies of your documentation for your own records. If there is ever a question about your hours or your tier placement, you will have proof of the care you provided. Many caregivers use a straightforward notebook or a spreadsheet to track this information.

Payment amounts for each tier in 2024

The Virginia Department of Social Services sets the weekly payment amount for each tier. These amounts vary slightly depending on which region of Virginia you live in and which local program administers your stipend. Some localities have slightly higher payment rates than others, so you should contact your local Department of Social Services office to learn the exact weekly amount for your tier.

Payment is typically issued weekly or biweekly, depending on your local program's schedule. The payment goes directly to you as the caregiver, not to the person you are caring for. You can use the stipend for any purpose — it is not restricted to caregiving expenses.

What happens if your hours change between tiers

If you work fewer hours in a given month and drop from Tier 2 to Tier 1, your payment amount decreases starting with the next payment period. Similarly, if you increase your hours and move from Tier 1 to Tier 2, your payment increases. The program recalculates your tier based on your documented hours each month or reporting period.

Some caregivers move between tiers seasonally or when the care needs of their family member change. For example, if your relative recovers from an illness and needs less help, your hours may drop and move you to a lower tier. If their condition worsens, you may work more hours and move to a higher tier. Each change is reflected in your next payment.

How tier placement affects your total annual income

Because payment amounts differ between tiers, your total annual income from the stipend depends on which tier you spend most of the year in. A caregiver in Tier 3 for all 52 weeks will receive significantly more over the year than a caregiver in Tier 1 for all 52 weeks. If you move between tiers during the year, your annual total reflects the time you spent in each tier.

Some caregivers intentionally manage their hours to stay in a particular tier if other circumstances in their life change — for example, if they start working a part-time job and can no longer work 55 hours per week as a caregiver. Others increase their hours when they can to move into a higher tier. Your tier placement is entirely based on the hours you actually work and document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work exactly the hours in my tier, or can I work more?

You can work more hours than your tier requires. If you work 40 hours per week, you are in Tier 2 even though Tier 2 allows up to 54 hours. Your payment is the same whether you work 35 hours or 54 hours — the tier itself determines your payment, not the exact number of hours within that tier.

What if I work 34.5 hours one week — am I in Tier 1 or Tier 2?

You would be in Tier 1. Tier 1 covers 20 to 34 hours, and Tier 2 begins at 35 hours. Most programs calculate your average hours over a month or reporting period rather than week to week, so a single week of 34.5 hours would not move you to Tier 2 unless your monthly average reaches 35 or higher.

Can I move back to a lower tier if I need to work fewer hours?

Yes. If your documented hours drop below the threshold for your current tier, you automatically move to the lower tier in your next payment period. For example, if you are in Tier 2 but document only 30 hours in a month, you move to Tier 1 for the next month and your payment decreases accordingly.

Do all Virginia counties pay the same amount for each tier?

Payment amounts are set by the state but may vary slightly by locality. Contact your local Department of Social Services office to learn the exact weekly payment for each tier in your area. Some regions have higher rates than others.

What counts as caregiving hours?

Hours count when you are directly providing care or supervision to your family member. This includes personal care (bathing, dressing, toileting), meal preparation, medication management, transportation, household tasks done specifically for the care recipient, and supervision. Time spent on your own activities while the person is present does not count unless you are actively supervising them.