10 Government Programs You Can Access for Mom or Dad

By Leonard J. Hansen

Caregiving for a parent may stretch the budget as well as your endurance -- that is, if you aren’t aware of scores of federal, state and even local government programs.

Access to assistance is as close as your computer, and, in most cases, you can apply online. Start by accessing two sites:

www.Govbenefits.gov - Gather up all the information you can on your parent’s health, disability, income, wealth (as in property owned), whether a military veteran, education level and more. Access this site and answer every question that you can. Then, push the button and, within minutes, the site will respond with a list, details and access information for many, even scores, of beneficial government programs, supplements and/or services.

www.Benefitscheckup.org - This non-profit site will ask many of the same questions but may report added programs, details and contacts.

Here is a guide to the top 10 programs everyone who is caring for an aging parent should know about:

1. Medicare

There is more to Medicare than just the Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance coverage. If your parent is 65 or older and collecting Social Security, the insurance premiums are deducted from monthly benefits. Part D prescription drug coverage is subsidized by Medicare through payments to private company insurers who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low income, receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10 of the monthly premiums. Ask and you may find a great cost saving for your parent.
Medicare: www.medicare.gov   Medicare Part D: www.medicare.gov/pdphome.asp

2.  Social Security

If your parent’s Social Security benefits were earned based on lower-paying jobs, and if the benefits are the only source of income, there may be a larger monthly benefit available by applying for its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The program may be operated federally or in conjunction with your state government. The welfare-based Medicaid program is also administered through the Social Security Administration, though the operation may be directed by your state government.
www.socialsecurity.gov/OP_Home/handbook.21handbook-2100.html

3. Administration on Aging (AoA)

The AoA administers many national programs and services for elders, including health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and long-term care. The banner on the website has a link to Elders and Families, your starting point. This section also offers a specific link and service For Caregivers (see the left hand column.)
www.aoa.gov

4. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

If your parent is a military veteran and has a service-related disability, you may be able to apply for an increase in benefits, particularly if the disability has worsened over time. If he or she needs continuing medical care because of the disability, an application for medical benefits, hospitalization and prescription drugs may be submitted. There are several types and levels of VA disability compensation and pension programs. The VA has been slow in processing claims the past few years, but there is continuing pressure by Congress and the Administration to speed up its service.
www.va.gov

5.  HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 provides your parent privacy of his or her medical records. It is a regulation and restriction program on health care providers. The protection should be of concern to you and other family members because, unless your parent signs a form designating each of you as approved to discuss your medical concerns with the physician, he or she cannot do such, even if you prove your family connection. Better sooner than later, access the HIPAA website for the information and forms, or secure the forms from a physician, and file copies with every health care professional involved in your parent’s care.
www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/consumer_summary.pdf

Article Pages:     1  |  2   NEXT PAGE »
More about:
» Finances

Comments (1 to 7 of 7)

skoder

Jun 11, 2008
Suggest Removal

I am caring for my aging disabled father in myhome and want to now if you can get compensated for it to cover some of the bills, we live in Phoenix, AZ. Ifanybody hasiany answers please let me know.

Valerie

Jun 23, 2008
Suggest Removal

My aunt is elderly (89) and only has social security income. She is not able to pay her Minnesota property taxes. Are there any tax assistance programs in Minnesota that could help?

HisPony

Jun 23, 2008
Suggest Removal

As a recent Retiree from the Navy I would like to add a few things about the VA:

1) If the person was released from the military for a Disability or Retired after 20 years of service, you will need thier DD 214 before contacting the VA Hospital for Medical appointments. If you don't have one, you can still contact them for a starting place to receive a replacement.

2) To increase the person's Disability Compensation you will need a Medical History from the time of departure to the present. You will also need the original Disability Rating Letter issued from the VA.

3) The biggest misconception is that a Disabled/Retired Millitary member has to go to a VA hospital to be seen!! This is not true, the person can sign up for TRICARE Prime and see a doctor that accepts TRICARE in thier home town. TRICARE has a list of approved doctors for your area. I pay $460 a year for a Family Plan that allows me to see a doctor who is only 5 miles from my home. If the person is on Medicare/Medicad the regular TRICARE will pick up all copays. Contact TRICARE and they will explain all of the details.

4) Most states now have a state sponsored Veteran Office that help Veterans and thier families through the paperwork process. A quick internet search or phone call to the VA should help you get in touch with the right people.

I am in no way affiliated with the VA or any other organization, just a retired Vet that is trying to help people get pointed in the right direction.

Jack

lolliegoogle

Jul 5, 2008
Suggest Removal

My grandmother is 88 and has recently come to live with my husband and me. She lived with my mother and step father, and one month after my mother passed away, my step father told her she had to leave. We had no choice to take her in because she had nowhere else to go. She has some money saved and receives social security, but we don't think she has enough to go into a community on her own. Where can we start to even begin to sort this out? She cannot stay with us given her age and the layout of our house, her forgetfulness to turn off burners while we are at work and locking herself in the garage. Your advice is appreciated.

emacmahan

Jul 13, 2008
Suggest Removal

i live with my 84 year old mother, her health has been declining in the last 4 years, i work a job, i only make 8.25 per hour and i have been there for 8 years. no insurance, no retirement, no anything. when my mother isn't doing well and can't be left home alone and i stay with her, i don't get paid. i am financially ruined. my mother's s/s barely sees her through the month, so she can't help me with my bills. i promised her i would never put her in a nursing home. neither of my brother's bother to help me. they travel, play golf, etc. i haven't been on a date in over 5 years. i am 54 years old and now i am starting to have some health problems. mostly due to stress. i have anger problems, depression and i can't sleep very well. somebody please help me

Recovery

Jul 14, 2008
Suggest Removal

Emacmahan: The first thing I would do is see if you qualify for your state's Medicaid program

244kind

Jul 15, 2008
Suggest Removal

Boy, I really identify with "emacmahan" I am 56 years old and have been taking care of my 85 year old mother since my father died almost 5 years ago. I was working full time and trying to take care of her at the same time. As her needs increased I found myself having to take "a lot" of leave without pay, and was becoming sick more often and struggling to keep it all together, including keeping my job. My stress level has been off the charts. My one brother finds it very difficult to be involved with mom, and so is for the most part, not in the picture. It's a terrible feeling of being alone and sometimes scared that you won't be able to hold it all together. You are a very brave person, who should be praised for the love and care you are giving your mother.
I want to share with you a possible opportunity that a friend told me about and which I am now involved in. I don't know if your state provides this option, but I will at least share with you and then you can check to see if your state provides anything like it. It's a program available through Medicaid that pays an adult child to be the caregiver of their parent. This program is called COPES and again is for sure offered through "Washington State" Medicaid, but don't know which other states, if any offer this option. I will say that it is quite an involved and lengthy process, and ultimately, after indepth assessments in your home and a very detailed finanicial evaluation, they decide if you parent and you qualify to be involved. They will then establish how many hours per month they will pay you to take care of your parent. Depending on the level of your parent's needs, they will establish how many hours they will pay you for. It can be minimal or more... It might be worth your time to check and see if your state provides this kind of option (COPES program), or even something else that would be similar. With the COPES program you should be prepared to provide very detailed information about your parent's total income and all property and assets, as well as providing the total income for the household your parent lives in. A background check has to be done so be sure to have a valid driver's license and either your SS card, birth certificate or current passport ready at hand. Again, it's quite a lengthy qualification process, but it's well worth the effort if you qualify.
Hope this encourages you to check with your state's Department of Social and Health Services to see if they have anything like this available. Hang in there, you are so not alone! God bless! 244kind
Submit your comment
(Words only, no HTML allowed)
Email:  
 

Our Community

Answers from our Experts

My mother is undergoing surgery to have a mechanical heart valve. What is the lifespan of a mechanical heart valve?

Mechanical heart valves are made of pyrolytic carbon, similar to industrial grade diamond. It is very hard and wears very little.

Full Answer...

Caregiver Poll

How often do you get a break from caregiving? (i.e. someone else - friend, relative, home care worker, adult day care -- takes care of your loved one)
0 - 3 hours a week
1 - 5 hours a week
Never
More than 10 hours a week

Next Poll »