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Horizon Elder Law & Estate Planning Blog

Sunday, September 26, 2021

Can I Get Paid to Take Care of an Aging Loved One?

As our family members age, they may need assistance with activities of daily living. They may need someone to help them bathe, dress, and prepare meals. In some cases, a family member may need 24/7 supervision and care. Nursing homes and assisted care facilities are options. However, some families prefer to care for their loved ones at home.

If you are a caregiver for an aging family member, you may qualify for payments for your services. Our California elder law attorney works with families to obtain resources to help them provide for their aging loved ones.

Programs That Pay for In-Home Care

Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Medicaid is a needs-based insurance program for elderly individuals, pregnant women, and low-income disabled individuals. Through Medi-Cal, eligible individuals can receive assistance for in-home supportive services.

The In-Home Supportive Services (IIHS) program provides funds for household chores and personal care. The payments may be paid directly to Medicaid recipients for eligible caregivers. Eligible caregivers can include family members, such as spouses, children, and siblings. Family members must complete all requirements to become an IHSS provider before receiving payment for caregiver services.

Wartime veterans may qualify for reimbursements for the cost of assistance with activities of daily living. However, veterans must apply for the program and meet strict eligibility requirements. Adult children and other family members may be eligible caregivers, but the program does not reimburse spouses for caregiver services.

The California Paid Family Leave Act can provide short-term compensation if you need to miss work as they care for a seriously ill family member. You can receive 60 to 70 percent of your weekly wages for up to eight weeks. In some cases, a family member may need this time to care for a loved one who may be dying or waiting for placement in a skilled nursing facility.

Some Medicaid recipients might qualify for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers. These waivers provide for services that allow people to remain at home instead of entering a nursing facility. Some programs may provide a daily stipend that can be sued to pay for assistance with household chores or personal care.

Long-term care insurance policies reimburse policyholders for in-home care. You would need to review the terms of the policy to determine the services covered. However, the payments are made to the policyholder instead of directly to the caregiver.

Planning for Long-Term Care

Many of the resources available to pay for in-home care are needs-based programs. You must meet income and asset qualifications to receive the benefits. If you have a home or other assets, those assets could be used to pay for your care.

The sooner you begin planning for long-term care, the better you can protect your assets. Using a variety of estate planning tools helps you protect your assets while maintaining eligibility for needs-based programs.

Contact Our California Elder Law Attorney for More Information

Transitioning into a caregiver role can be stressful. It can also be expensive. Developing a long-term care plan as part of an estate plan can help ensure you have the resources necessary should you need to become a caregiver for a loved one. Contact our California elder law attorney to discuss options and resources for long-term care.


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