Can you get financial assistance for being a caregiver

Those who work in the healthcare industry are often underrated that they often ask this question — can you get financial assistance for being a caregiver? Most especially during the pandemic, they are the most vulnerable, yet they are not well-compensated. But this doesn’t mean that all employers are the same. There are still a decent number of employers that put a very high premium and value the hard work of these healthcare workers.

These are some of the ways wherein a family caregiver can get financial assistance. However, you have to take note that these forms of aid have limited resources. They might not even exist in the state you’re in, so you could say the eligibility for any of these is restrictive. But despite these restrictions, it’s still good that these options and forms of support are available.

Counseling programs and Medicaid Cash

If the patient the caregiver is caring for suffers from a chronic condition or disability, the latter is eligible for Medicaid. The financial assistance they may be entitled to receive can be used for home necessities and community-based support and services. Their payment as a family caregiver can also fall under the expenses allowed under this form of support.

These programs are also known as cash and counseling, self-directed programs, or consumer programs. Regardless of their name, they have the same purpose. In some states, the recipient might be asked to submit state-mandated eligibility and income requirements before they can be given assistance. Once approved, the benefits are provided via Medicaid Waiver.

Veterans Services

If you’re caring for a war veteran, you can also apply for Veterans Pensions, Aid and Attendance Benefit, or Veteran Directed Home and Community-based Services. All of these can provide you with financial support and other benefits. Post 9/11 veterans and their caregivers can also get financial support from the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Aside from this, the family caregiver can also take advantage of such support as travel expenses, health care insurance access, mental health services, and caregiver stipends.

Structured Family Caregivers

There have been numerous states authorized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as Structured Family Caregiving programs providers. Through these programs, family caregivers can receive additional support and get paid for their services. To be admitted to this program, the patient of the caregiver has to be Medicaid-eligible, needing round-the-clock supervision and care and requires the help of one or more caregivers for their personal care needs.

Family and Medical Leave Act

Suppose the caregiver works for a company that also employs over 50 employees. In that case, the former is eligible to receive a maximum of 12 weeks of unpaid leaves to take care of family members needing help and assistance. While you take a leave, you can rest easy knowing that you will always have a job to come back to. The types of family care that fall under this category are taking care of a sick parent, newly-born child, or spouse who just gave birth.

Providing care to the sick or elderly, regardless if they’re a family member or not, can take a toll on the carer’s overall health. The money paid to them will not always be equitable to the invaluable and unconditional service they offer. It’s a piece of welcome good news that they can also get financial assistance for what they do.

Here you won’t have to worry whether your chosen caregiver is compensated well or not. We take care of this aspect, and we assure you that we treat them with the utmost respect. This is why we value them as much as we value our patients. So, if you or your loved ones need a safe place to stay while they get care and support, check out Live-in Care.