Are there any social security benefits available to caregivers of elderly parents to help with their out of pocket expenses?

Last year on October 30,2012 I had to resign from my job as a nurse to bring my mother up from Fla to Ga to care for her as she is not able to live by herself and care for her physical needs any longer, she is 88 yrs old. I was 4 yrs away from retirement. We applied for VA aided & assistance back in Nov. 2012 with no results. My husband the only financial provider in our home has had to sell his stocks and use most of his money from his 401 k. We desperatley need financial assistance. I don't want to have to put my mom in a nursing home, she really wants to go back to Fla to live out her last days, but we can't afford to have someone live with her there. What options do we have? We need Help. Shelia

I called Elder Services which is listed under the State of Illinois for financial assistance for caretakers assisting their parents and they were quite surprised by my inquiry and said I could sign up to work at a local agency who provides home/health care and request the agency to assign me to my parents house. Has anyone heard of such? And does anyone know who I should contact? I am living with them at the present time since my mother just had surgery and I am here 24/7 making all meals and transporting to all Dr. appointments.

I cared for my father for 10 years who recently passed away 11/26 he lived with me. I called SS to inform them of his death, he had no death benefits on any of his incomes ( two pensions) ... I do not expect to be paid for doing something that as a daughter, I should do after all, my parents cared for me growing up. I used all my vacation, sick, holiday, personal pay to take my father to doctor appts or to care for him due to him falling or being ill one day within 6mths of the each year.. Had to take FMLA incase I needed to stay home, but would be without pay. Again, I am paid in my heart for caring for my father and knowing he knew i loved him by caring for him.

can an elderly woman with primary progressive aphasia get disability?

My mom is elderly and had two knee replacement surgeries. She is on social security and has no funds to help pay her living expenses except social security. I do not have a job and have been looking for five years since having my feet and carpal tunnel fixed. I have cared for my mom for both knee surgeries and after her recent car accident. She's been living with me for over 1 year. I am running out of money and cannot move as I don't have a job. My mom and I will be homeless at the end of October. Is there any financial aid available to us? I don't know where to turn and I'm looking for work. Please let me know who I may contact for assistance. Thank you

Hi everyone, if u go to the Medicare.gov you should be able to find answer to your question about getting paid while taking care of your parent or parents or call that number that was mention above n ask then go from their or make an appt. I have read on here somewhere where u can but don't quote me so go to the site n see for yourself. Good Luck.

arthur rivera hi i take care of mom and dad at home thier both retierd and both have alzymiers and be going to doctors visit contantly and here i am at home taking care of them i have no job and med ins cause of this they dont want anybody else to take care of them so my ques is is there any kind of govt agency or ssi that can help me out with some sort of income dad is 90yrs old and probly has short days of living and mom is 79yrs old and sick aswell so how can i get some kind of income thank you

my husband gets social security disalility,he is 63 he has had 4 heart surgerys,is diabedic,has sleep apney,and has to have a pint of blood drawn off each month because his body make too many red blood cells,he also has degenerative bone disease and the vertibrea in his spine are rubbing together,he has as many as 6 dr. visits a month and i have to do the driving also to the pharmacy iam up several times at night to assist him,also our 37 year old son lives with us he is also disabled with severe epilepsy,paranoia and skitsophrinia he receives ssi,iam also his only caregiver.i worked for 40 years but due to their illinesses i can no longer work,and being 59 years old i cannot draw my social security yet.is there anything availiable for someone like me who is a 24 hour a day caregiver

No. The benefits from the Social Security Administration apply to the beneficiaries. If you call the 1-800-772-1213 number, they will immediately ask for your S.S. number. My suggestion is to find a S.S. office in your area and make an appointment, preferably in the A.M. to see a counselor. They do not recognize P O A's. Bring your parents S S cards with you. There are lawyers who will do all the work for you, but they take a continuous cut from all benefits until you ( they) die.

You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Call your local Social Service agency who may offer a Caregiver Stipend. You can also apply for Social Security right over the phone by requesting a phone interview. Much sucess.

My husband and I are both receiving SS benefits. I had to take an early retirement at 62 and my income is limited. My husband receives half of what I receive. I retired due to a medical condition called essential tremors which hindered my ability to work due to the severe trembling and pain. If I took the medication that I was prescribed, I could not function in the classroom. I had been a teacher for 22 years. Four years ago, my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. He has been under medical control ever since and must be watched constantly due to mood swings, etc. I have not applied for disability or SSI because I have no idea as to how to go about it. Our income is limited due to medical and every day living expenses and my limited SS and pension income do not cover it all. It is like the proverbial, "Taking from Peter to pay Paul". Can I get income from the caregiving of my husband? How do I apply?

Does your mother have the funds to pay you each month?

Thanks for the advice.

No, Natalie05, you can't get an I Pad for watching your mother.

In most areas, you can go to Social Services and apply for benefits for taking care of a family member. Just call them and they will point you in the right direction within their agency. Also, you may try the Department of Health and Human Hygiene. Under the Health Department you may find additional benefits for elderly. But start at the Department of Social Services and their is a stipend for caring for elderly.

My mnl draws ssi which goes directly to her bank acount and we only withdraw with her approval to pay for her meds and etc for her. On the otherhand, I draw ssdi and can't see social security paying me for taking care of my mnl for then I would probable lose my ssdi because they will think I am able to work. Is their somewhere to check that out without messing what little benefits that I draw?

No. Check out : "Credit For the Elderly" on Form 1040.
Check out: Exemptions, then Dependents, Lines 6C, Form 1040.

i take care of my dad everyday can i get benifits?

Keep in mind, that all these Veterans benefits that Heidi mentions in her note, take a long long time to acquire.

When you file your 2010 Federal Income Tax Return on 4/15/11, again pls refer to Pub 17 - Credit for The Elderly is limited this year. That is, If you qualify.

There is no Social Security money for a caregiver. You have to be disabled yourself to receive any funding.

CAN I GET PAID FOR WATCHING MY MOTHER

Not social security benefits but income tax credit, known as :"Credit for the Elderly". This would go on YOUR income tax return to be filed April 15, 2010. Read IRS PUb 17 for details, page 225, worksheet p. 226. If you qualify, you must file Schedule R, and you will get some funds returned to you for your financial effort in caring for someone disabled and or elderly.

It is state dependent, Massachusetts has a program for anyone who qualifies for Medicaid.
Be careful about "getting paid" for your services, social security may require you to pay taxes.

IF they are a Veteran or the spouse of a Veteran check into VA Aid and Attendance benefit which will assist with paying Home Care to Skilled Nursing.
VA BENEFITS: (Available for veteran and spouse if qualified)
http://www.veteranaid.org/apply.php VA information and Download forms!
www.aidforvets.com
www.veteranaid.org
www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs – YOU MUST ASK FOR VA AID & ATTENDANCE
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html - for family who need to replace missing documents
http://www.veteranaid.org/apply.php - Application website
Veterans Legal Assistance at www.veteranslegal.org
National Website:
http://www.va.gov/vaforms/

Veterans' Legal Assistance (VLA), a law firm whose attorneys are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VLA helps families navigate through the full eligibility and application processes.


The forms you need are:
VSO 3 (physician’s form)*
21-526 (for the veteran)
21-534 (for surviving spouse)
21-22 (power of attorney)
21-8416 (medical expenses)