I am a caregiver to my Mom, are there any government programs to help me financially?

If your Mom is Medicaid eligible: #2
Cash and Counseling, also referred to as Consumer Direction Care Programs, allow people, that are Medicaid eligible, to hire whomever they want to provide their care and decide for themselves if they would rather hire a home care agency, or pay a friend or relative to do it. The services paid for by the state are part of the elder's authorized Medicaid care plan. This means that relatives, adult children, in-laws, or grandchildren could be hired and paid for the care they provide – spouses are excluded. In other words, family members could become paid caregivers.
The money can also be used to purchase items related to their activities of daily living; a cleaning service, meal preparation, laundry service and transportation for medical appointments are also acceptable services.
There are 4 different types of Cash and Counseling Programs, available in 49 states as of June 2015.Check out cash and counseling programs through Medicaid. Crazy but it can not be your spouse unless divorced.....it's not terribly much I have heard but may be enough to help you out! Best of luck!

Regarding the Cash & Counseling program... disability requirements differ State by State and program by program, but it is worth looking into. Usually a person who requires skilled nursing can apply for Cash and Counseling programs. A person is given an "allowance" to use for whatever they need to help in their care. So it depends on how much allowance is budgeted for paid care. Other costly expenses can eat into that allowance. Please note that the Cash & Counseling program is for all age groups that are getting Medicaid. There might be a waiting list to get onto this program. The monies for said programs come from the Federal and State governments via our tax dollars

2 Suggestions: #1
If you live with your Mom you can call your local Area Agency on Aging. Just make sure you are asking about a service where you live with the person and get paid a stipend to care for them. It’s currently in these states: TX, CT, IN, LA, MA, RI, OH. You are asking about a company name that services this stipend because this Agency itself doesn’t do that job. There are more and more companies doing it everyday and the states that have the service are increasing too.

Yes, there are some states that have a minimal amount of pay (outlined above) BUT there are often wait lists to these programs, or the state funds exhaust, and the paychecks always have both federal and state taxes, Medicare/ Soc Sec taxes deducted, just as for any other "paycheck." Also keep in mind the accounting required for the job, your work will be supervised by the state DHS. And if you receive other government benefits, this "pay" could adversely affect the other benefits. And overall, the sustainability of paying millions of caregivers, up to $12,000 per year, is just not there. It'd be awesome if money grew on trees but it doesn't. The only way to ensure good care in senior years is to work hard for 40 or 50 years, save, and live within your means, not depend on the government.

One of the things that I've found helpful has been food stamps. In my state, seniors qualify as a separate household, and they get more food stamps than other people as well, I believe. So even though she lives with me, my mom alone gets $190/month to buy food. This is a big help..... I know you asked about help for YOU the caregiver, but maybe getting your mom some subsidies would allow her to pay you something and still meet all her needs.

Bridgesofcare1, regarding the Cash & Counseling program... disability requirements differ State by State and program by program, but it is worth looking into. Usually a person who requires skilled nursing can apply for Cash and Counseling programs.

A person is given an "allowance" to use for whatever they need to help in their care. So it depends on how much allowance is budgeted for paid care. Other costly expenses can eat into that allowance.

Please note that the Cash & Counseling program is for all age groups that are getting Medicaid. There might be a waiting list to get onto this program. The monies for said programs come from the Federal and State governments via our tax dollars.

Yes, Cash and Counseling, also referred to as Consumer Direction Care Programs, allow people, that are Medicaid eligible, to hire whomever they want to provide their care and decide for themselves if they would rather hire a home care agency, or pay a friend or relative to do it. The services paid for by the state are part of the elder's authorized Medicaid care plan. This means that relatives, adult children, in-laws, or grandchildren could be hired and paid for the care they provide – spouses are excluded. In other words, family members could become paid caregivers.
The money can also be used to purchase items related to their activities of daily living; a cleaning service, meal preparation, laundry service and transportation for medical appointments are also acceptable services.
There are 4 different types of Cash and Counseling Programs, available in 49 states as of June 2015.Check out cash and counseling programs through medicaid, crazy but it can not be your spouse unless divorced.....it's not terribly much I have heard but may be enough to help you out! Best of luck!

BettyA2007 is the person you want to contact on this site.

I don't know the name of the companies that offer it because this site won't allow names to be published. I think if you start at the Area Agency on Aging they should be able to direct you to any companies offering this service. I'll be back with the person's name who works at one of the companies and maybe you can talk some other way than on here.

Coloresue, what is the name of the program and is it in NH. Isnt it only medicaid that give 2 hours a day?

There are states where you can get over $1000 per month stipend to care for your Mom if you live with her or vice versa. I don't know all the rules. The states are TX, CT, IN, LA, MA, RI, OH. Call your local Area Agency on Aging about companies who provide this service. Just make sure you are asking about a service where you live with the person and get paid a stipend to do it. There are more and more companies doing it everyday and the states that have the service are increasing too.

This information is from another person on this site who works at one of these companies.

I thought medicaid only orovidee 2 hour a day in home?

This question comes up a lot. As my mother's monthly income was $1, 223, there was no way I was taking any of it. I was capable of earning a living.

I was told that Medicaid now pays for care in the home, and that, if approved, it can be paid to family who is the caregiver. We did not apply for that because I am not the direct care giver, since I live out of town from parents. I just coordinate care and handle the financial aspects of their lives. I would think that one of the agencies recommended or even the state health dept (which will coordinate the Medicaid in your state) could advise if this is a benefit in your state. While Medicaid is a federal program, it is put together in different ways in different states.

That’s a very common question asking about being paid. Majority of grown children do not get paid for caring for their parent, unless the parent is financially able to pay from their own pocket. If a parent can afford to pay you, the parent might as well hire a certified trained caregiver allowing you to keep a full-time job.

If you live in the States, see If your parent qualifies for Medicaid, the State might allow a trained Caregiver come in to help for a couple hours. Also check to see if your State is one of those States that has a “Cash and Counseling” program to help you out, it‘s worth looking into. Note that each State has their own rules, regulations, and programs.

Also contact your county agency on aging for programs such as Case Management, Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care, housing, care referrals, etc,... go to the website link below.... click on your State.... now click on the city/county. https://www.agingcare.com/local/Area-Agency-on-Aging

And please come back to the forums if you have any Caregiving questions, we would be more than happy to share our experiences with you, and give you ideas on what to do.