Hiring a self-employed worker as part of the RHA Self and Family Managed Care Program

Anyone who is a care organizer for themselves or a loved one is participating in a form of self management or family management - relying on their own combination of direct labour, public funding, and out of pocket payment for care services. In Manitoba, there is also a formal Self and Family Managed Care (SFMC) Program delivered through the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) that qualifying applicants can access after being assessed for Home Care needs. 

When you sign an SFMC Agreement, you are a formal Self Manager or Family Manager. This means you receive funding from the RHA and accept responsibility for arranging care directly. This also means that you will not receive services directly from the RHA; you will find and schedule your own care providers. 

While this approach may take time and effort, many Manitobans have found SFMC to be a great option for their families and use the program to continue living safely at home and in their communities.   

The Three Options for Self & Family Managers  

Your Home Care Case Coordinator can provide you with information about the SFMC program. We have heard from some people that the information package feels intimidating based on the thoroughness of the information provided, but there are people who can help!  Talk to your case coordinator, others who have used the program, or reach out to the support team at Care Possible at 204-975-3080 if you want to talk about the program.  

In the information package, you will see three options for service delivery:

1) Hire staff directly,

2) Hire an agency, and

3) Hire a self-employed worker. 

(NOTE: For example, in the WRHA Self and Family Managed Care Program Complete Information Guide, October 1, 2024 edition, you will find this in section 4, starting on page 7.)

For clarity, we’ll discuss each of those options in a little more detail.  

Hire Staff Directly  

There is a lot of information on this option, as there is much to understand and be clear about. Managers become a direct employer under this option and have responsibilities typical of employers, including to the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, etc.  This option gives you a high degree of choice and control in your care and comes with the most administrative responsibility.  

Hire An Agency  

For those who would prefer to trade some flexibility and control for less administrative responsibilities, there is an option to use your funding to hire a private agency to deliver care. This option will typically come at a higher cost, and it is not uncommon for Managers who opt for this approach to pay also out of pocket or top up the hourly fees over and above the funding they receive from SFMC. If this option is right for your family, it’s good to explore different agencies based on what is important to you. 

Hire a Self-Employed Worker 

This option does not require the Manager to become an employer; instead, you receive an invoice for services from a provider who is an independent contractor or works for themselves. 

According to Statistics Canada, more than 13% of Canadians are self-employed. Although this number is not as high amongst care providers, it is common to hire a self-employed individual for many services that we access in our day-to-day lives, and the self-employed professional is responsible for their own remittances and financial filings.  

Hiring a self-employed worker is a good option for those seeking a balance in flexibility, affordability, and control in managing their care, as you maintain direct choice over the worker who comes into your home without the administrative responsibility of hiring staff directly.  

Although you have options in how you find self-employed workers, Care Possible was founded to reduce barriers for self and family managers who are seeking to hire independent care providers, including supporting their administrative needs and providing access to a community of vetted and verified care providers to give the best opportunity to find a good match for individual needs.  

If you are exploring the benefits of hiring a self-employed worker to provide assistance with daily living activities, you can ask your Home Care Case Coordinator about this option or reach out to the Care Possible support team to learn more. 

How to Hire a Self-Employed Worker in 3 Easy Steps with Care Possible 

1. Create an Account and Listing 

Sign up on carepossible.ca and create a listing that describes the care you're looking for—location, schedule, and preferences. 

2. Interview and Choose a Worker 

Browse from hundreds of available self-employed care workers, message them securely through the platform, and set up interviews to find the right fit for your family. 

3. Sign and Start 

Once you’ve chosen a worker, sign the online agreement and get started! Care Possible’s admin features let you focus on your family. 

Looking Beyond Manitoba? 

Self and Family Managed Care programs exist across Canada, though they vary by province. If you’re outside Manitoba and exploring similar options, you can learn more about provincial programs here: 
 
Self and Family Managed Care Programs in Other Provinces 

• British Columbia – Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) 

• Alberta – Self-Managed Care Program 

• Saskatchewan – Individualized Funding 

• Ontario – Family-Managed Home Care 

• Québec – Chèque emploi-service (CES) 

• New Brunswick – Self-Managed Support 

• Nova Scotia – Self-Managed Care Program 

• Prince Edward Island – Home Care Support Services 

• Newfoundland & Labrador – Home Support Program 

About Care Possible 

Care Possible is a non-profit social enterprise by Manitoba Possible, dedicated to providing affordable, flexible, and preference-based in-home and respite care services. We support seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families using self and family-managed care in Winnipeg. Our mission is to ensure that every Manitoban who accesses care has an excellent experience.