Yes, You Can Get Paid for Family Care
Under normal circumstances, care is a burden, and for many families, the pandemic has only made life difficult. A recent AARP study found that nearly one in five Americans provide unpaid care for another adult. The same percentage reported high levels of financial hardship associated with care, and it’s easy to see why: AARP says you can spend between $ 7,000 and $ 12,700 of your own money on care each year.
After the closure of some adult day programs, family members took over, resulting in lost income for some. If you’ve cut back on work to take care of a family member, you may be curious if there is a way to get paid for your hard work.
Medicaid Recipient Programs
According to the AARP , it may be possible to get paid through Medicaid , a government health care program that pays for the long-term care costs of low-income Americans. Depending on where you live, you can opt out of agency home care and hire a family member. However, each state has different benefits and rights – for example, exceptions for spouses or legal guardians – so you should contact your state for rules.
Programs for war veterans
If your family member is a military veteran, you may have four other options to choose from: Veteran Referral Benefits, Assistance and Care (A&A), Home Benefits, or Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers . You should contact the Veteran Caregivers Case Support Line at (855) 260-3274 for more information.
Prepare to work for a family member
Paying for the care of a family member might seem like an ideal scenario, but there are a few things to consider before you start. AARP recommends working with an aged care attorney to draw up a personal care contract. This contract should specify the specifics of your duties, compensation and duration of work. Whenever possible, try to involve other family members, such as your siblings, in the participation. You should also talk about temporary care that can offer short-term relief from caregiving responsibilities, and a plan for getting sick. Self-care in a family can take much more time and energy than you expect, so it is very important to prioritize your own personal care. According to the AARP study, 23% of Americans say leaving has worsened their own health.