I want to pay my relative whatever amount Medicaid would allow her as a caregiver. What is that amount?

Are you simply trying to find out what Medicaid would cover so you can "match" it?

Note that Medicaid will not only offer a not-competitive hourly rate, they will also restrict the number of hours per day and week.

You can pay what is customary in the area. But, it has to be with mom as the employer, all taxes and other withholding done. You also need a caregiver agreement that should be prepared by an elder law attorney in her state that is familiar with rules around Medicaid should she ever need it.

Paying this person should be done by mom, not you, personally unless you have a bottomless source of funds. Don't be surprised if you find out that 24/7 care at home is in the 10-12 K per month range. When mom's funds are spent down on legally contracted care then it is time to apply for Medicaid and for you to provide all of mom's financials for the last five years unless she is in California, then 2.5 years.

Florida's minimum wage will inch up to $8.65 on Jan. 1 before jumping to $10 on Sept. 30. The minimum wage has been $8.56 for 2020.

Genworth has an annual cost of care survey that gives Florida rates of 22.00 for homemaker services and 22.50 for a home health aid.

You will need a personal care agreement if Medicaid is a possibility and you will need to do payroll taxes. Delegate the set up on these to appropriate professionals.

Medicaid doesn’t have any such regulation. You can pay the caregiver basically any amount (just not so high that it looks like you are gifting away your
money). Unless you want to pay the caregiver the same wage they would be if Medicaid paid them? Please don’t do that. They deserve more than minimum wage.

Medicaid is a joint federal/state program. And the amount it pays for family members to caregive varies State by State. You should call the medicaid worker assigned to you or call medicaid itself for your State. Wishing you the best of luck.