Mzabel has not returned, you are right FreqFlyer. You are also correct that the OP said her sister.
There is a choice to click on UNFOLLOW, and I am going to do that. I do not have a need to be right, nor correct other posters who always disagree with me. As if I was lying about my neighbor being paid by IHHS or being on SSI. 🤮
I know someone who made over $2,000 per month and was able to qualify for a frail waiver under Medicaid. Her family caregiver was able to get paid for taking care of her. I would suggest calling Medicaid and speaking to customer service.
Did she have a husband who worked in the states and paid SS taxes for 10 years or more? (40 quarters) if so, she can get SS and Medicare on his earnings.
If she has lived here over five years, she may qualify for Medicaid if here income is under the cap. In my state its a little over 2300. You could place her in a NH or get "in home" care. I suggest you call ur County Office of Aging and find out what resources there are for your Sister. She may qualify for SSI (Supplimental income)she will get Medicaid health insurance with that. Your County Social Service can help you there but start with O of A.
“Because she had never worked in the U.S., she did not qualify for Social Security or Medicare. She did not qualify for Medicaid, because Medicaid (imo) is a combination of Medicare and Medi-Cal. (In California at least).”
Actually in California Medi-Cal IS medicaid. They are the exact same thing only we call it medi-cal here instead of Medicaid. Just like Tennessee calls it tenn-care. Medicaid is not a combination of Medicare and Medi-cal in California. It’s straight Medicaid. And I am curious how she qualified for SSI when she didn’t have the required work credits? People who immigrate here can’t collect SSI without having worked here & earned 40 credits And having lived here for 5 years.
If the OPs mother doesn’t qualify for Medicaid/medi-cal then she doesn’t qualify for low income programs because nearly all of them require Medicaid eligibility. IHSS requires Medicaid eligibility, the income thresholds are the same.
A neighbor had her mother come from outside the U.S. to live with her. Because she had never worked in the U.S., she did not qualify for Social Security or Medicare. She did not qualify for Medicaid, because Medicaid (imo) is a combination of Medicare and Medi-Cal. (In California at least).
However, the mother did qualify for all sorts of benefits. (She might have become a U.S. citizen) Those benefits were called S.S.I.; Medi-Cal etc. She received an income monthly, and health insurance.
With Medi-Cal, she had available IHHS, which is called In Home Supportive Services. Anyone could become her caregiver, and be paid. It was a half-day class, or a week, that the daughter took to qualify to become her mother's caregiver through Medi-Cal.
An attorney who specialized in obtaining these benefits assisted the mother, and spoke the same language as the family. This was all a secret, and I still do not know if the information is accurate as far as the terminology: SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, etc.
So, there are programs to assist people who are low income.
Mzabel, I see from your profile that you're in Howard City, MI. Have you contacted the city and county to determine if they can offer at least respite care, which would provide relief to you?
I see also that your sister has "age-related decline, depression, diabetes, incontinence, and urinary tract infection. " Is she able to get her diabetes meds as well as guidance on a proper diet? Does she have good doctors for treatment of her other issues?
I also echo JoAnn's questions on why she doesn't qualify for Medicaid. The issue of your being able to be paid seems to me to be one of finances, i.e., can your sister afford it, since apparently she doesn't qualify for Medicaid.
If so, then follow Alva's suggestion to create a care agreement.
Depending on your state there are programs that pay caregivers a certain amount for famiy caregiving. You both need to qualify. Please contact your local Medicaid office for more information. Your sister may qualify even if she makes too much money. Depending on her health status she may be able to get on a Medicaid frail waiver and be accepted into the program.
Sofatax, this is the second time I've read your advice that Medicare will pay the kind of benefits raised by the OP. I just checked the IRS Notice 2014-7. From the IRS site, this is its description:
"Notice 2014–7 Notice 2014–7 This notice advises taxpayers that certain payments received by an individual care provider under a state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program are difficulty of care payments excludable from gross income under § 131 of the Code. The exclusion may apply whether the care provider is related or unrelated to the individual receiving care."
I read this description as a benefit of Medicaid, NOT Medicare. Do you have a different interpretation, FROM the IRS? or its website? My concern is that the information you're providing is not accurate, and people may be confused, or deluded into believing Medicare offers a solution to the issues raised.
You also included "free tax advice." Are you a tax professional? If so, at what level? Employed by Medicare? Medicaid? Independent tax adviser with a degree in accounting or something related? I'm curious as to your credentials to provide information which is inconsistent with IRS explanations.
Contact Medicare. They have a program to pay for caregiver services through her benefits. Medicare loves family members as it is easier for them and better for Medicare recipient. Also this income is placed as income on your tax return, but then deducted with the line 'Notice 2014-7'. (Free tax advice)
Why is she not eligible for Medicaid? Does she get too much with SS and maybe a pension? There are ways around it like a Miller trust. The overage will go into the trust and at time of her passing the trust will go back to Medicaid.
There is a choice to click on UNFOLLOW, and I am going to do that. I do not have a need to be right, nor correct other posters who always disagree with me. As if I was lying about my neighbor being paid by IHHS or being on SSI.
🤮
If she has lived here over five years, she may qualify for Medicaid if here income is under the cap. In my state its a little over 2300. You could place her in a NH or get "in home" care. I suggest you call ur County Office of Aging and find out what resources there are for your Sister. She may qualify for SSI (Supplimental income)she will get Medicaid health insurance with that. Your County Social Service can help you there but start with O of A.
I don't see where Mzabel had made any other posting. No mention of her mother.
Actually in California Medi-Cal IS medicaid. They are the exact same thing only we call it medi-cal here instead of Medicaid. Just like Tennessee calls it tenn-care. Medicaid is not a combination of Medicare and Medi-cal in California. It’s straight Medicaid. And I am curious how she qualified for SSI when she didn’t have the required work credits? People who immigrate here can’t collect SSI without having worked here & earned 40 credits And having lived here for 5 years.
If the OPs mother doesn’t qualify for Medicaid/medi-cal then she doesn’t qualify for low income programs because nearly all of them require Medicaid eligibility. IHSS requires Medicaid eligibility, the income thresholds are the same.
Because she had never worked in the U.S., she did not qualify for Social Security or Medicare. She did not qualify for Medicaid, because Medicaid (imo) is a combination of Medicare and Medi-Cal. (In California at least).
However, the mother did qualify for all sorts of benefits. (She might have become a U.S. citizen) Those benefits were called S.S.I.; Medi-Cal etc. She received an income monthly, and health insurance.
With Medi-Cal, she had available IHHS, which is called In Home Supportive Services. Anyone could become her caregiver, and be paid. It was a half-day class, or a week, that the daughter took to qualify to become her mother's caregiver through Medi-Cal.
An attorney who specialized in obtaining these benefits assisted the mother, and spoke the same language as the family. This was all a secret, and I still do not know if the information is accurate as far as the terminology: SSI, Medi-Cal, IHSS, etc.
So, there are programs to assist people who are low income.
I see also that your sister has "age-related decline, depression, diabetes, incontinence, and urinary tract infection. " Is she able to get her diabetes meds as well as guidance on a proper diet? Does she have good doctors for treatment of her other issues?
I also echo JoAnn's questions on why she doesn't qualify for Medicaid. The issue of your being able to be paid seems to me to be one of finances, i.e., can your sister afford it, since apparently she doesn't qualify for Medicaid.
If so, then follow Alva's suggestion to create a care agreement.
"Notice 2014–7 Notice 2014–7
This notice advises taxpayers that certain payments received by an individual care provider under a state Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver program are difficulty of care payments excludable from gross income under § 131 of the Code. The exclusion may apply whether the care provider is related or unrelated to the individual receiving care."
https://www.irs.gov/irb/2014-04_IRB
I read this description as a benefit of Medicaid, NOT Medicare. Do you have a different interpretation, FROM the IRS? or its website? My concern is that the information you're providing is not accurate, and people may be confused, or deluded into believing Medicare offers a solution to the issues raised.
You also included "free tax advice." Are you a tax professional? If so, at what level? Employed by Medicare? Medicaid? Independent tax adviser with a degree in accounting or something related? I'm curious as to your credentials to provide information which is inconsistent with IRS explanations.
Also this income is placed as income on your tax return, but then deducted with the line 'Notice 2014-7'. (Free tax advice)
Personal Care Agreements: A Must for Caregiver Compensation and Medicaid Planning - AgingCare.com.