How do I get paid for caregiving for a friend?

I think you would be better getting a job.

Medicaid does have "in home" care but your friend needs to fit the income criteria and that depends on income. The State of PA has a program where an agency trains you and employs you. You then are allowed to help a family member or friend and get paid by the agency and have benefits. This maybe based on income of the friend too.

I would call your Office of Aging and find out what programs maybe available. Call around to agencies and see if they have a program like PAs. Call Medicaid and see if they pay directly. In my State you need to go thru an agency and Medicaid pays them.

If you find you can't get paid, your friend can still apply for an aide and u can go back to work. You need those quarters to guarantee a good return from your SS. SS only goes back 35 years so you need to work those 35 yrs.

Are not unemployed because you are disabled? If not, in this job market (and depending on where you live) you could work as a companion aid/light housekeeper/caregiver for someone else if your friend can't pay you or give you enough hours. You should be able to get 40hrs p/wk at minimum $15 p/hr (or work for 2 different clients 1/2 time each). I don't recommend "bartering" services for room and board -- you need the cash to live on and save up.

The Medicaid pay is low and it may only be 12 or 15 hours a week.

Is your friend on Medicaid and what state are you in? Some states have programs that will pay a friend or relative for providing some care at home if it is deemed medically necessary. The program here in CA is IHHS.

Apparently the pay is quite low, so even if your friend is eligible for such a program, it may not make sense for you in terms of your understandable need to have an income and savings for your own future.