Running Self-Managed Care payroll in Alberta
Alberta Self-Managed Care gives you or your legal representative resources to directly pay for and manage your own personal care and home support. That usually makes you the employer of the workers you hire, which means CRA payroll, Alberta employment standards, workers’ compensation rules where they apply, and a quarterly spending report to the provincial home-care program.
RoostPay calculates payroll and remittance amounts and produces pay stubs, T4s, and ROEs. You still pay workers, remit to the CRA, and submit your program report yourself. This page is for people who hire and pay their own workers, not for care arranged and invoiced through an agency.
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Self-Managed Care at a glance
The short version of what changes when you hire and pay workers under Self-Managed Care. The sections below explain each row.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Who the employer is | What to know Usually you or your legal representative, when you hire workers directly |
| Payroll duties | What to know A CRA Business Number, then withholding income tax, CPP, and EI when required |
| Employment standards | What to know Alberta employment standards apply to the workers you hire |
| Workers’ compensation | What to know Check WCB Alberta requirements for your household hiring situation |
| Report to the program | What to know A report confirming how funds were spent, each quarter |
| Family and friends | What to know AHS does not permit family, friends, and informal caregivers to be hired as paid providers (AHS brochure). |
| Changes to tell your case manager | What to know Material changes, within 72 hours |
What Self-Managed Care actually is
Alberta groups client-choice home care under Type 3 continuing care, which includes Self-Managed Care and client-directed home-care invoicing. Self-Managed Care gives you resources so you can directly pay for and manage personal care and home support.
The detailed rules live in the Alberta Health Services Self-Managed Care brochure (PDF), including eligibility and covered services: personal care, home support, and respite.
Who the employer is, and who you report to
When you hire directly, you or your legal representative are the employer. You recruit, hire, train, supervise, and schedule workers, manage payroll, and meet CRA and employment standards duties yourself.
Your Self-Managed Care agreement and quarterly reports go to the provincial home-care program, historically Alberta Health Services, though continuing care is being reorganized under Assisted Living Alberta. Confirm with your case manager who you report to today.
Your responsibilities as employer
- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and schedule workers, and keep a backup plan
- Manage salary and payroll
- Submit a report confirming funds spent each quarter
- Meet CRA rules: register a business number, and withhold income tax, CPP, and EI when required
- Meet Alberta employment standards
- Notify your case manager within 72 hours of material changes
Also check WCB Alberta requirements for your household hiring situation.
Can family members and friends be paid?
Under the AHS Self-Managed Care brochure, family members, friends, and informal caregivers aren’t allowed to be hired as paid care providers. Ask your case manager whether an updated program rule applies to your agreement.
Self-Managed Care vs Client Directed Home Care Invoicing
Alberta has two client-choice options that sound alike but work differently. Only one of them makes you a payroll employer.
| Self-Managed Care (direct hire) | CDHCI | |
|---|---|---|
| Who employs the worker | Self-Managed Care (direct hire) Usually you | CDHCI An Alberta Blue Cross registered agency |
| Payroll | Self-Managed Care (direct hire) You run household payroll, if you have direct employees | CDHCI The agency handles its own employees |
| Is RoostPay a fit? | Self-Managed Care (direct hire) Yes, built for household employers paying workers directly | CDHCI No, this is not a direct-hire payroll model |
If you only use CDHCI agencies, you likely don’t need household payroll software. This page is for people who hire employees themselves under Self-Managed Care.
How RoostPay Helps with Caregiver Payroll
-
RoostPay handles
Payroll calculations (wages, CPP, CPP2, EI, income tax, vacation pay)You stay in charge
Pay workers from your own banking -
RoostPay handles
Deduction and remittance amountsYou stay in charge
Remit to the CRA yourself -
RoostPay handles
Pay stubs, T4s, and ROEsYou stay in charge
Your quarterly spending report to the provincial home-care program -
RoostPay handles
One flat plan for multiple workers ($24/mo or $228/yr, unlimited employees)You stay in charge
WCB registration if required, employment standards, and your SMC agreement duties
RoostPay calculates each pay run, shows you what to remit, and prepares the pay stubs, T4s, and ROEs so you can pay your caregiver and send the CRA what is owed.
Compare Full Access for one caregiver or several.
Caregiver payroll pricingRelated caregiver payroll guides
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Frequently asked questions
What is Self-Managed Care in Alberta?
It’s a client-directed home-care option, sometimes called Type 3 continuing care, where you receive resources to pay for and manage your own personal care and home support, often by hiring workers directly.
Who do I report to, AHS or Assisted Living Alberta?
Confirm with your case manager. Public materials still name Alberta Health Services on the Self-Managed Care brochure and glossary, while alberta.ca describes continuing care being reorganized under Assisted Living Alberta.
Can I pay a family member under Self-Managed Care?
AHS Self-Managed Care materials say family, friends, and informal caregivers can’t be hired as paid providers. Ask your case manager whether any updated rule applies to your agreement.
How often do I report my spending?
The AHS brochure requires a report confirming how funds were spent each quarter.
What’s the difference between Self-Managed Care and CDHCI?
Self-Managed Care can mean you hire and pay workers yourself, which is real payroll. CDHCI (Client Directed Home Care Invoicing) routes care through an Alberta Blue Cross registered agency that invoices you, which usually isn’t household payroll.
Does RoostPay file my quarterly report?
No. RoostPay handles the payroll math and documents only.
Does RoostPay pay the CRA for me?
RoostPay works out the exact amounts and gives you pay stubs, T4s and ROEs, so you pay your caregiver by e-Transfer or through your own bank and remit to the CRA. You file your quarterly Self-Managed Care report yourself.
Sources
- AHS Self-Managed Care brochure (PDF)
- AHS glossary, Self-Managed Care
- alberta.ca, continuing care
- CDHCI brochure (PDF)
Last updated: 2026-09-25. General information for Alberta Self-Managed Care clients and families, not tax, legal, or program advice. Confirm who you report to, your reporting schedule, family-hire rules, and WCB requirements with your case manager and the primary sources above.