If the person or persons you're caring for are going to pay you -- from any source, including independent funds -- for care giving, it's a good idea to draw up a simple contract that sets out the terms of the care and payment. This can help avoid uncertainty and disagreement between you and them about what you're supposed to be doing and when. Also, it can help avoid misunderstandings with other family members about who's supposed to be providing care and about where the money is going. If the person or person you're caring for ever need to enter a nursing home and aren't already on Medicaid, the agreement will show that these payments to you were legitimate, and not just an attempt to "hide" funds in order to qualify for Medicaid. To find out more about why a personal care agreement can be a good idea, and how to go about drafting one, see Prepare a Personal Care Agreement With Your Parent.
very helpful article, unfortunately my state doesn't participate with C & C.
I just got off the phone with the Ohio District 5 counsel on ageing about trying to get paid for caring for my mother who has Alzheimer's. Their answer was to contact Passport. My niece's grandmother had that and when she passed they came in and took everything to cover her care while she was alive. Her father was her caregiver and was living there. They (Passport) had him evicted and they sold the house. They told me that I would have to get certified to take care of me mother in order to get paid. I have been caring for my mother for about 10 years now so how is me, spending more money that I don't have to get a piece of paper stating that I know how to care for my mother going to help? It would cost the government more money to have mom in a nursing home than if I would stay home and care for her. I DON'T GET IT!!!