Virginia's caregiver stipend has three payment tiers, each tied to the number of hours you work per week

Virginia's Caregiver Stipend Program, run through the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), pays family members who provide hands-on care to adults with significant disabilities. The program uses a three-tier structure based on hours worked: the standard tier, the enhanced tier, and the maximum tier. Your tier determines your weekly or monthly payment amount, and you move between tiers based on the actual hours you document caring for the person you support.

The three tiers exist because the program recognizes that caregiving is not one-size-fit-all. Some family members provide part-time care while working other jobs; others have made caregiving their primary responsibility. The tier system lets the program pay proportionally to the work you do, rather than offering a flat rate that would either overpay part-time caregivers or underpay those working full-time hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia's caregiver stipend uses three tiers based on documented weekly hours: a lower tier for fewer hours, a middle tier for moderate hours, and a top tier for the most hours worked.
  • You must track and report the actual hours you spend providing direct care, and your tier assignment depends on those documented hours each pay period.
  • Payment amounts within each tier vary depending on the care recipient's disability type and the region of Virginia where care is provided.
  • To move between tiers, you submit updated timesheets or care logs showing your hours; the program reviews them and adjusts your payment accordingly.
  • The specific dollar amounts for each tier change annually and depend on program funding, so you should confirm current rates with your local DARS office or care coordinator.

How the three tiers are structured

The Virginia Caregiver Stipend Program defines its tiers by minimum and maximum weekly hours. The standard tier typically covers caregivers working a set number of hours per week; the enhanced tier covers those working more hours; and the maximum tier covers full-time or near-full-time caregiving. The exact hour thresholds can vary slightly depending on the specific program track you are in (for example, whether you are caring for someone through the Medicaid waiver or another pathway), so you should confirm the current ranges with your local DARS office.

Each tier has its own weekly or monthly stipend amount. A caregiver in the standard tier receives less per pay period than one in the enhanced tier, who receives less than one in the maximum tier. This structure means your total annual income from the stipend scales with the hours you actually work, rather than paying everyone the same amount regardless of effort.

How hours are counted and documented

To receive payment at any tier, you must document the hours you work. This typically means keeping a timesheet or care log that shows the date, start time, end time, and type of care provided (for example, personal hygiene information, meal preparation, medication management, or transportation). Your care coordinator or the DARS office will provide a form or explain the documentation method used in your region.

Hours are usually counted only when you are providing direct, hands-on care to the person you support. Indirect tasks—such as researching medical providers, attending appointments as an observer, or managing paperwork—may not count toward your hours, depending on the program's rules. You should ask your coordinator which tasks are billable before you start tracking, so you do not waste time documenting work that will not count.

Most programs require you to submit your hours weekly, biweekly, or monthly. If you do not submit documentation, you will not be paid for that period, even if you did the work. Some regions allow you to submit late timesheets within a grace period; others do not. Confirm your region's important date and submission method with your coordinator.

Moving between tiers based on your hours

You do not choose your tier; it is assigned based on the hours you report. If your documented hours fall within the standard tier range one month and the enhanced tier range the next month, your payment will adjust accordingly. This means your stipend can fluctuate from month to month if your caregiving hours vary.

Some caregivers intentionally stay within a lower tier because they have other income or other responsibilities. Others work toward the maximum tier because caregiving is their primary job. The program does not penalize you for moving between tiers, but you do need to accurately report your hours so the program can pay you correctly.

Payment amounts vary by region and care type

Virginia does not set a single dollar amount for each tier statewide. Instead, payment rates depend on two factors: the region where care is provided and the type of disability or care need of the person you support. A caregiver in Northern Virginia may receive a different tier payment than one in Southwest Virginia, and a caregiver supporting someone with intellectual disability may receive a different rate than one supporting someone with a physical disability.

This variation exists because the program tries to account for differences in cost of living across the state and differences in the intensity of care required. You should ask your local DARS office or care coordinator for the current payment schedule for your specific region and care type. These rates are updated periodically, so the amounts you see in an old document may not reflect what you will actually receive.

How to confirm your tier and payment amount

Your care coordinator or local DARS office is your best source for current information about your tier assignment and payment. When you enroll or when your hours change, ask them to confirm which tier you fall into and what your weekly or monthly payment will be. Request this in writing if possible, so you have a record.

If you believe you have been placed in the wrong tier or paid incorrectly, contact your coordinator first. Errors in hour documentation or tier assignment do happen, and most can be corrected by resubmitting accurate timesheets or by having your coordinator review the calculation. Keep copies of all timesheets and payment stubs so you can compare what you submitted to what you were paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work more hours than the maximum tier allows and still get paid?

No. Once you reach the maximum tier, additional hours beyond that threshold are not paid. The program has a cap on how many hours it will reimburse per week or month. If you are regularly working beyond the maximum, discuss with your coordinator whether the stipend is sustainable for your situation or whether you need to adjust your caregiving schedule.

What happens if I don't submit my timesheets on time?

You will not be paid for that period. Most programs have a important date for timesheet submission, and late submissions may not be accepted. Some regions allow a short grace period; others do not. Confirm your important date with your coordinator and set a reminder so you do not miss payment.

Do I have to stay in the same tier every month?

No. Your tier is determined by the hours you actually work and report each pay period. If your hours increase, you move to a higher tier and receive more pay. If your hours decrease, you move to a lower tier and receive less pay. Your tier adjusts automatically based on your documented hours.

Are the tier payment amounts the same everywhere in Virginia?

No. Payment amounts vary by region and by the type of disability or care need. Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and Southwest Virginia may have different rates. Ask your local DARS office for the current payment schedule for your specific area and care type.

What if I work irregular hours—some weeks more, some weeks less?

You report the actual hours you work each week or pay period. Your tier assignment and payment will reflect those hours. If you work 20 hours one week and 35 hours the next, you will be paid according to each week's tier. Keep accurate records so your payment matches your actual work.