It costs money to provide for any person — whether that’s a child, elderly individual, spouse, or other care recipient. Medical equipment, copays for prescription drugs, home renovations, home care assistance, and other expenses have an out-of-pocket cost component. In addition, a lot of people end up needing to quit their jobs or work fewer hours in order to take care of their elderly loved ones, which adds to the potential financial burden.

Family caregivers frequently inquire if they can get paid for caregiving, as any additional funds could assist in alleviating the financial burden. The good news is that government benefit programs do exist, making it possible to get paid to care for family members.

Unfortunately, these types of programs are not offered universally in the United States. However, it’s still worthwhile to do your research and look into whether you will qualify for anything, as these programs can sometimes be hard to find.

How You Can Get Paid For Caring For Someone With Dementia

Medicaid Self-Directed Care Program

The majority of states have Medicaid programs that provide funding so that elderly people can hire in-home caregivers.

Instead of a professional caregiver, that individual could also be a relative or a friend. Some states also permit a spouse to work as a caregiver on a salary. Each state’s program has a different name and set of eligibility conditions.

A Medicaid assessment of need and the typical state wage for in-home care aides will determine how much money the caregiver will receive if they are approved into the state’s program.

It may be best to start with the local Area Agency on Aging in order to locate the Medicaid office nearby and discover how to apply for the program.

Special Programs Offered By States

It may be worth contacting your state’s department of health or local Medicaid office to see if there are any programs offered on a stateside basis for caregiving. Local chapters are often located throughout the state and may cater to certain demographics, language speakers, and more.

Again, the Area Agency on Aging in your community may be the best place to start if you need help locating the right government entity.

Benefits Programs For Veterans

There are two benefits that fall under this category. They are:

Veteran-Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS)

Veterans of any age who run the risk of being placed in an institution can stay in their own homes with the assistance of this home-based care program. Individuals are able to select the personal care services that best suit their needs and control their own spending budgets. This category includes hiring their own in-home care assistants, as well as relatives or friends.

Housebound or Aid & Attendance Programs

In addition to their monthly pension, veterans who qualify for a VA pension and require in-home care or are confined to their homes may be eligible for additional benefits payments.

Note: Both of these benefits are not available at the same time to veterans.

Long-Term Care Insurance

This program allows for the payment of family members who provide care. However, some family members who reside with the person they are caring for may not be paid under some policies. For further information, speak with the insurance agent for a member of your family. You can also request a written benefit confirmation from the agent.

Finding Resources

Securing resources can feel like a troublesome affair when it seems like the proper information surrounding them is lacking. That’s why it’s worth the extra bit of effort and time it can take to reach out and ensure you aren’t missing out on any vital programs that can help you and your family out.

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