We do not take any money from my live-in mother for caretaking, are there programs I could receive assistance? She receives DIC as a benefit from her husband who was an Air Force veteran medically retired after 20 years from complications of agent orange. I was fortunate enough with the ability to stop working to assist her with her medical and emotional needs, but I walked away from a good paying job to do so. Is there any possibility of compensation through the VA?
Just wondering why you wouldn't take any payment from your MIL, at the least she would have to pay for food and housing costs no matter where she lived so why do you feel that it makes sense that she banks her income while you reduce yours?
Contact the VA or better yet contact a local Veterans Assistance Commission or even your local VFW and see if they can determine what she might qualify for.
You are losing social security credits as well as your salary. If you had insurance, you’ve lost that too. Retirement savings? What are you saving for your own future? Who will take care of you?
As for being paid to care for a family member, that’s rare. It’s mostly self-sacrifice.