Do paid family caregivers have to clock in and out?

What changes on October 1, 2026?

The September 9, 2026 DMAS bulletin says agency-directed aides and consumer-directed attendants providing personal care or assistance, respite, or companion services must use an EVV-compliant method to log and submit shifts from October 1. This includes live-in caregivers.

Older information describing a live-in exemption should not be used as guidance for shifts after the change takes effect.

What does EVV mean?

Electronic Visit Verification records information about a care visit, including the beginning and end of the shift. The approved method depends on the arrangement. Agency aides should follow their employer’s instructions; consumer-directed attendants should use the method provided through the applicable fiscal employer agent.

Do not assume a general website portal entry is an approved substitute. The DMAS bulletin identifies mobile applications and interactive voice response methods for consumer-directed attendants and says the fiscal agent’s web portal is not EVV-compliant.

What if a device or connection fails?

Contact the agency promptly and follow its correction process. Keep accurate information about the actual visit. Do not invent a time, share credentials, or ask another person to clock in as you. A technical problem needs documented resolution, not a guessed record.

Family status does not remove work records

Living with the person or knowing the routine does not replace the approved care plan, accurate service documentation, or applicable visit recording. Ask for training before your first shift and raise problems while they can be addressed.

A to Z reviews these responsibilities during onboarding. See our family caregiver guide or the qualification page if you are still exploring a paid arrangement.