A little known program can pay a family caregiver through Medicaid. Being a family caregiver can be a real gift to your loved one. Often care provided by family caregivers allows your loved one to reaming at home much longer than he or she could without your help. However, juggling your own job along with the time needed to provide care for your loved one can be tenuous. Fortunately, financial help is available to pay the family caregiver. One service that can help is Structured Family Caregiving which is part of the state Medicaid program’s “waiver services.”
What is Structured Family Caregiving?
Structured Family Caregiving provides financial and support services for family caregivers who live with the care recipient. A “family caregiver” is typically a relative of the care recipient, but the caregiver does not have to be related. It can be a friend or neighbor. As of February 1, 2020, a spouse of the recipient can be a caregiver. For most waivers, the legal guardian or parent of a minor child CANNOT be a compensated caregiver.
Under the Structured Family Caregiving Program, the Family Caregiver is essentially “hired” by a third party who maintains payroll, registration, and other employer responsibilities. This frees up the family caregiver’s time to concentrate on the delivery of care. For more information about how the program operates see Caregiver Homes by Seniorlink.
The family caregiver, then receives a monthly tax-free stipend which ranges from $900 to $1,900 per month depending on the care needs of the care recipient. The stipend can be paid to one caregiver or shared among multiple caregivers.
What are eligibility requirements?
To qualify for the Structured Family Caregiving program, an individual must meet the following requirements:
- Be eligible for the Medicaid program. For more information about the Medicaid eligibility requirements, click here.
- Be eligible for the Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver or Program of All-Inclusive care for the Elderly (PACE). To start the process to become eligible for these services, contact the Area Aging Agency that serves the care recipient.
- Reside with the primary caregiver.
- Require assistance with at least 3 activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating, ambulation, or toileting).
To be a caregiver, an individual must meet the following requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Be deemed physically and mentally capable of performing his or her caregiving responsibilities.
- Compose daily notes of care provided.
Other helpful information
Care recipients can also receive other services under the Aged and Disabled Waiver including adult day care.
Structured Family Caregiving is just one of several ways a family caregiver can be compensated for services rendered. For other ways for family caregivers to receive compensation-including other Medicaid programs and VA pension, click here. The Stinson Law Firm has extensive experience assisting families with obtaining financial assistance for home care, including compensation for family caregivers. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 317-622-8181 or www.stinsonelderlaw.com to start your plan for covering home care today.