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Hello,
I have been searching caregiver profiles on a large platform who is supposed to help me with payroll by adding a fee and also supposed to provide workmans comp. I am looking for someone to take care of my mom, and I am shocked by the amount of caregivers that request cash when I speak to them on the phone. It was my understanding that the agency would take care of their payroll, and also provide Workmans comp. However, during the interview process, 85% of the people I selected ask for cash only and then change their rates to to be more profitable for them.
Currently I only need someone part time and their profiles do state that they would work part time. Speaking to them on the phone is a different story.
I am concerned about safety as well as having no one to complain to if the caregiver doesn't take good care of my mom. This feels wrong.

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Dear Carrot11,

It is extremely hard to find a good caregiver. You are right to be careful and to go with your gut feeling.

Asking for cash is probably a red sign. Better to go with someone that is above board.
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Carrot11, find an Agency where you ONLY speak to the Administrative Staff. When I hired caregivers for my Dad, a Rep from the Agency came to interview my Dad and I to find out what are Dad's needs. She was interviewing me, while I was interviewing her. Payment were only made directly to the Agency, not to the caregiver.

I did not go through a internet platform, instead I found a local caregiving Agency that actually had an office, and a staff of Admins.

The first week the Agency sent out a different person for each shift, that way Dad could choose which caregivers he would like. One caregiver was with Dad on her shift for over a year :)
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disgustedtoo Mar 2021
That's how I hired aides - through agency. That way, NO issues with workman's comp, withholding their taxes and SS, etc, plus no need for you to file paperwork with the state and IRS. because doing it THEIR way makes them YOUR employee and you'd be responsible for all that!

Of course it means more money in their pocket, as they'd be cutting out the "middleman", aka the agency. Not worth the hassle. Avoid them.
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Asking for cash in this manner means likely that the agency is not using best practice, and may indeed be involved in fraud. Or that the caregivers are acting in the wrong manner. Do report any who do this to the agency they work for. Getting someone in who starts as corrupt doesn't bode well for any valuable and such around the person who needs care, and indicates their willingness to act in illegal or immoral ways.
What you have told us is something you need to tell the agencies. If hiring direct, don't use such people.
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I agree, this does not sound right. They are asking for cash because then they don't need to declare it and you have no proof you used Moms money for her care. I would say this is not a legit agency. And if you want someone else responsible for payroll the agency needs to be legit.

You can hire privately but you should be taking out taxes and SS and matching the SS. Aides are usually not self-employed. Check with your labor dept to find out what your responsibilities would be.
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disgustedtoo Mar 2021
"...what your responsibilities would be."

WAY too many! You have to file paperwork with the IRS and possible the state, withhold taxes and SS, maintain a workman's comp, and possibly even be required to provide health insurance? No way!

JoAnn29 also makes a good point if you have to show proof to anyone how mom's money was spent (SS, Medicaid, etc.) Cash means they get more for their time (no cut for the agency, taxes, SS, etc), and likely means you might be paying a little less than the agency cost, but it will cost you SO much more doing it their "Cash Way", aka under the table.

If they mention cash during your phone "interviews", the interview is over. It's NOT worth it.
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I should stick with the other 15% if I were you. Does that leave you enough good candidates?
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I would not pay cash. Don’t do anything that you are not comfortable with.

Good luck finding a good caregiver. They are out there. Keep looking!
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I had a wonderful caregiver after some major back surgery. She worked through a well known agency in town. When it came time for her to move on, I offered to pay her under the table. No, she had to sign a non-compete with the company and knew how they checked up on their employees if they left. Her agency charged me $40 an hour, while my caregiver got just under $13. I liked her so much, but $40 was too steep for my budget. She was in a captive situation.

I ached for anyone in that situation. Of course they are going to prefer cash. This method will always be with us until the minimum wage is actually a living wage. God bless them.
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