Any government programs a caregiver qualifies for?

ramiller and SamiamW: Really good "think outside the box" options similar to the ones I gave for this person.

Lots of people are making money on EBay or Etsy. Etsy has allowed my daughter to stay at home with her baby.

Geez, I just re-read my answer. I should have put that under the "Whine" forum. Sorry. If you have a yard - "Dog Sitting". There's a PetSitters website you can sign up for jobs in your area. I had a garage sale and got rid of a bunch of stuff I didn't want anyway. I try to keep my mind open to new opportunities and started networking again. Join Linkedin?

11yrcaregvr: What do you excel at-bookkeeping? (take the course that H & R Block offers), writing? (publish some of your works), art? (sell some pieces), crafting (sign up to be a vendor at craft shows), etc. Think outside the box for your income.

Try food stamp assistance.

Caregivers qualify for the same programs that everyone qualifies for, there are no special caregiver - only programs. There are some states that reimburse a very very low wage for family caregivers BUT this is so limited (have to apply for Medicaid, be awarded it and maintain the Medicaid qualifiers) that it is not really a situation you want to aspire to. Better to get an education and get a Real Job.

http://www.aarp.org/relationships/caregiving-resource-center/info-10-2010/lfm_get_paid_as_a_family_caregiver.html

Found this article from AARP

Are you caring for family now? If you are looking for a cargiving job check on putting your profile on that is where i met a wonderful family to work for.

Are you a certified nurses aide or homecare aid. If not, get certified. Check with the nursing facilities on ur area to see if they give training. You may have to work for them though. Check with ur community college or vocational school. The course is only eight weeks or so. I know I feel better when that CNA is listed. U may be able to get financial help or even a grant based on your income. Call ur local Office of Aging. Here, they can provide aides.

Sounds familiar. I got laid off when I couldn't travel for company business. Needed to be close to home at all times. Looked for other 'opportunities' within a very close commute. Then as things progressed/declined; I could hardly LEAVE the home. lol Used up my retirement trying to bolster my unemployment. That was my mantra .... 'I need to make $$' Then time passed by and now that my care giving duties are done; I'm too old be a valued commodity. I'm still trying to find odds and ends, (mostly ends) to put food on the table. (fyi) I used to be the Director of a Software Support Group for a company that made Clinical Trial Mgmt Software for Duke Univ., UCSF, Cleveland Clinic. So I did have some skills. Good luck.