We understand — you love your grandma and want to help take care of her, but you also have bills to pay. So how can you get compensated for being a family caregiver? Good news — there’re several options for getting paid to care for a relative that don’t require you to work with a home care agency.
In this blog post, we’re exploring 5 ways to get paid for taking care of grandma or another family member who needs assistance. From tax credits to government programs to direct payments from your relative, you have more options than you probably realized. Keep reading to learn how you can get financial support for being a family caregiver.
In-Home Supportive Services
If you’re caring for an elderly or disabled family member in California, the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) as well as other programs pay family caregivers for their time. To qualify, your loved one or care recipient must need help with daily activities like bathing, grooming, or meal preparation and meet income requirements.
The first step is an assessment to determine how many hours of care your family member needs each week. A social worker will visit your home, evaluate their level of need, and authorize a certain number of hours. The more assistance required, the more hours will be approved.
Once authorized, IHSS will pay you, another family member, or a hired caregiver to provide care. Payments are made twice a month, and the hourly rate varies by county. You’re going to need to submit timesheets to get paid, reporting the actual hours of care provided each pay period.
Beyond the hourly pay, IHSS offers other benefits. As an IHSS provider, you may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance. You’re also going to pay into Social Security and may be eligible for workers’ compensation if injured on the job. And you can take paid time off – up to 6 paid days off a year.
The IHSS program allows many families to keep their loved ones at home rather than in a care facility.
Veteran’s Aid & Attendance Pension
If the family member you’re caring for is a veteran, they may qualify for the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance pension. This provides money to those who need assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. To qualify, the veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty, including one day during wartime. They must also meet certain income requirements.
To apply, you’re going to need to submit VA Form 21-526EZ, Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits. You’re going to need to provide evidence of the medical conditions that make the aid and attendance necessary. This can include doctor’s statements, test results, and records from any hospital stays. The application process can take 6-18 months, so apply as early as possible.
Once approved, the benefits are paid retroactively to the application filing date. The money can be used to pay for in-home care, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. It provides much-needed financial assistance for those caring for veterans with health issues like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or dementia.
Caring for a loved one is difficult enough without the added stress of financial hardship. The Veteran’s Aid and Attendance pension helps lift that burden, providing funds to make sure your veteran family member’s needs are properly met. If you have a loved one who qualifies, be sure to apply as soon as possible.
Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services
The Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services (VD-HCBS) program is a veteran directed care program allowing veterans to self-direct their long-term caregiving services. As a family caregiver, you could get paid to help a veteran manage their care with this program.
Manage The Veteran’s Budget
The VD-HCBS program allocates a certain amount of funds for the veteran’s care each month. As the family caregiver, you help the veteran develop a budget for how to spend these funds on approved personal care services like home health aides, day care, and transportation. Make sure bills are paid on time and track how much of the budget has been spent each month.
Recruit and Manage Care Providers
Help the veteran find, interview, and hire any care providers they need, such as home health aides. Be sure applicants have the proper credentials and experience to provide quality care. Once hired, you will schedule the care providers, ensure they show up on time, and manage their payroll within the budget. You should regularly check-in on the veteran to make sure they are satisfied with their care providers.
Administrative Tasks
There is a lot of paperwork involved in the VD-HCBS program. You will help the veteran complete required assessments, develop a person-centered plan for their care, and submit reports to the VA as needed. You may also assist with tasks such as keeping records of medications, doctor visits, and their test results. Even if they’re enrolled in Medicare or your state Medicaid program. By handling all the administrative work, you allow the veteran to focus on their wellbeing.
As the veteran’s paid caregiver in the VD-HCBS program, you provide crucial support to help them remain living independently in their own home.
Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services
The Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services program provides funding for veterans to hire family members as caregivers. As a caregiver for a veteran family member, this program allows you to get paid for providing care. To qualify, the veteran must need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, or eating due to illnesses or aging.
Eligibility Requirements
Both you and the veteran must meet certain eligibility criteria to participate in this family caregiver support program. The veteran must require assistance with everyday tasks, be enrolled in VA health care, and be unable to live independently without caregiver support. As the caregiver, you must be at least 18 years old, provide care at least 20 hours a week, complete caregiver training, and pass a background check.
How the Program Works
Once enrolled, the VA will determine how many hours of care per week the veteran needs based on their condition. You and the veteran will then work together to develop a care plan outlining your responsibilities. The VA will provide funding for those hours which you can use to pay yourself as the caregiver. Track the hours you provide care and submit timesheets to receive payment.
Benefits For Family Caregivers
This program provides several benefits for caregivers in addition to payment for services. Receive training to properly care for the veteran, counseling and support services, respite care to provide temporary relief, and health insurance options. Participating in this program also allows you to maintain your job, education, and relationships while still caring for your loved one.
The Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services program provides an opportunity for family members to get paid for providing care to veterans who can no longer live independently. By meeting the eligibility criteria and program requirements, you can earn an income while allowing your veteran family member to remain in a familiar home environment. This program offers benefits for both the paid family caregiver and the veteran, providing peace of mind that care needs are being met.
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