More than 43.5 million people take care of a chronically ill, disabled or elderly loved one. The caregiver spends an average of 24.4 hours per week taking care of the loved one, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. Taking care of a loved one can lead to lost wages and time. Fortunately, there are resources available for getting paid to take care of your loved one. This depends on the source of funding for care – government funding, personal funds or long-term care insurance. The payments won’t replace wages from a full-time job, but they can help alleviate stress.

Review your loved one’s finances. Take a realistic assessment of her financial situation. She may be eligible for the Cash and Counseling program provided by the National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services (NRCPDS).

Check the Cash & Counseling program. Under the Cash & Counseling program, your loved one can hire a family member to provide personal care services. The program is available in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and New Mexico. Payments vary by state.

Contact your state’s department of aging. There may be a Cash & Counseling program under another name associated with your state’s department of aging. Your state’s department of aging may have other resources and programs as well.

Create a contract. If your loved one is paying you from his funds, draft a contract. The contract should include expected services and terms of payment.

Consult family members when developing the contract and plan of care. This eliminates disagreements regarding care and payment.

Review the contract every six months with key family members to make sure the plan of care is adequate. You may want to adjust services and payment or include other family members in the care of your loved one. Your loved one's financial situation may change as well.

Check your loved one's long-term care insurance policy to see if it includes in-home care coverage. If the policy includes this benefit, help your loved one file a claim. She can pay you for services from the benefit payment if the program allows her to select her own provider and doesn't require a state-certified provider. Rules vary by insurance company.

Become a certified provider. If the policy directs payment to a state-certified in-home care aide, you would be qualified to receive the payment. You can become a provider by attending low-cost certification classes at an adult education program or community college.