Actually depends on the situation. If you are a live in then you are definitely an employee and employer should be withholding taxes, etc for you.
The family may not be paying you legally. Is there a care agreement? Sometimes families will pay someone cash, under the table, which save money. Paying you $12.00 an hour or whatever beats the heck out of $30.00 charged by a legit care company.
I suggest you consult with an elder law attorney to discuss how to properly set up a caregiver agreement so that any compensation you receive will not cause future problems with your mother's estate of with medicaid eligibility.
The family may not be paying you legally. Is there a care agreement? Sometimes families will pay someone cash, under the table, which save money. Paying you $12.00 an hour or whatever beats the heck out of $30.00 charged by a legit care company.