Is there federal assistance for caregivers?

There are some programs that may be able to offer some help for your family.

Medicare provides some payments for hospice carethat may apply in this situation. In addition, See also:
How can I find financial aid to care for my mother in her home? some states are now providing coverage for some of these home servies through Medicaid. You should contact your grandmother's Medicare insurance provider and her state Medicaid agency to see if she qualifies.

You also should go to the website www.benefitscheckup.org. This exceptionally helpful website, created by the National Council on Aging, provides a simple way for you to identify, local, state and federal programs for which your grandmother may be eligible. The website has an online questionnaire that takes about fifteen minutes to complete. When you finish the questionnaire, the site will provide you with a list of programs that apply to your grandmother's needs. The information is confidential and you do not need to provide your name or other personal identification information.

There is also Veteran's benefits. If she or her late, or living spouse served during war-time in any branch of the military, she could qualify for assistance for a caregiver.

This is a common problem, as the previous expert has stated. There is another option available that many people may not know about. Your Life Insurance Policy can be a valuable asset to you at this time.

These are all viable options for helping caregivers financially. Keep in mind that for VA benefits, state and/or federal assistance, you have to be close to destitute to qualify for help. Any money/property transferred within 3 years of the person being cared for can cause benefits to be denied. Unfortunately, for the sandwich generation, we are losing everything caring for our parents and grandparents and before one qualifies for assistance, they also, have to lose nearly everything. I've been researching and speaking with VA, state and federal for 3 years, and cannot get ANY assistance for my 89 year old Grandmom (veteran of WWII and retired city employee). I care for her 24/7 and do not receive any finacial help even though I was laid off and have exhausted my own savings. Unless you are poor or lie, the average person, who has worked hard all their life, DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY ASSISTANCE. All the propaganda out their is for show. Dept. for the Aging is useless. By the time the paperwork is reviewed and someone gets back to you, and IF you meet the guidelines and pay a fee for their help....you're already dead and buried. This is the reality folks, so plan ahead.

9 years ago I gave up my solo life to move to another state to become the caregiver to my Mom who had AD. At that time I had 11 brothers and sisters and dozens of grown nieces and nephews nearby and out of state but within a 12-hr drive. I was in my 50's so I knew what I was getting into but I sincerely expected to get physical help and occasional financial support from some of these people. BUT HARDLY ANY HELP EVER CAME. There are no programs in her state that pays caregivers or give then any kind of benefit to help cover their expenses...not to mention any real compensation. My mother died during this summer and I was left flat broke....and with not much income coming in from my self-employment, home-based business. I am destitute. However, I think my siblings have agreed to donate the family home to me..as a way of compensating me for 9 years of sacrifice. But in the meantime, I am now 60+ but not old enough to draw soc. sec. until sometime next year. I am glad I made the sacrifice to be with Mom to the end - as I had promised her when I moved in. When you consider all the money family caregivers save the system, you'd think they'd be happy to throw them a bone. But there is nothing. IF ANYONE OUT THERE IS INTERESTED IN STARTING A PETITION TO GET MANDATORY FED AND STATE BENEFITS FOR CAREGIVERS....I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SIGN UP. Carrying this physical and emotional burden mostly on my own for 9 years has just about broke me....but I wouldn't trade those final years with Mom for any amount of money.

Man i see i'm not alone trying 2 find help with getting extra money for my mom.I have called SSI they told me that with my mom ss the differents would be like 30. well that won't help her pay 4 assited living place.And trying 2 get my dad's military records is like pulling teeth.E1 i talk with said they can't help me go figure.i sent paper 2 archives in st lous this pasted fri i get another paper from them.asking for more stuff witch i have no clue am the baby of the family.plus my mom can't remember much my mom had dr appt this am i will see if her dr knows of any other programs.getting upset can't find her more help.this state trying 2 cut alot of stuff that helps ltc n medcaid.I have e-mail 1 of the congressman haven't heard anything bk yet probely won't MAN I NEED SOME HELP don't know what else 2 do :0(

I was a nurse in a nursing home and believe me those nursing homes sure get payed very well each month. I have always said if a family member is willing too take care of there mom or dad at home it would sure be less money too pay them because a basic nursing home starts at 3,000.00 a month and a more nicer home can coast 5,000.00 and up and all they get is three meals a bed and two times a week a bath and i think it hasent changed on there medications. It covers six prescriptions a month and if the doctor gives them more prescriptions that goes over the six the family well be paying for them. I think if our state and govnerment would pay a family member at least 3,00.00 too 4,00.00 a month that is less money than putting your mom or any family member in a nursing home. I think if every one would start calling and writing there congress in there stare and also the president this could be put into a law in every state.

carolynGA, I was so moved by your story I still have tears as I write. I know your story I'm living it now with my mom who will be 90 in May. She asked me to promise she die at home she now has alzheimer and I intend to keep her promise. I have 4 brothers who don't feel the same however they are putting some money in a family account so I can have a caregiver come in 3 times a week. I think in order to make things change with the state and federal govt. it will only work in NUMBERS. We are a big group of caregivers and I do believe we can make a change so for those of you on this site and reading this please let me know are you in on making a change. If so then let's figure out what it takes to do so and do it. Talking about it doesn't change things action does. Non-violent action does.....

For years, as I struggled raising three kids, one with MD, one with ADHD, people told me that they were sure the government helped caretaker family members who had no viable options but to be sole 24/7 caregivers, and sacrifice their income as a result. I see the state of affairs has not changed since the 80's. By the way, I now am 50 yrs old, laid off since 2008, destitute and homeless, largely due to medical debt, a 15 yr hole in my 'career', and the resultant destroyed credit record-all of which has to be the explanation for few responses to resumes, applications, and job search efforts that I have poured the last of my meager resources into. Whoever thinks healthcare should be for profit-never had to owe more than they were capable of earning. I would be interested in some real efforts to change this devastating system of sickness we have.

I agree with anonymous--Council on Aging is one useless organization. Maybe the Meals on Wheels is worthwhile, but the rest of it? Totally a waste of energy and time.Why do I feel this way? I went to them in my town to get information about a sitter for my mother. While there, the woman said it would be a minimum of 4 hours,no nights or weekends,and $4 an hr. I thought, wow, I could swing $4 an hour and agreed for them to come to my house and be assessed. This took an hour or so. At the end of the assessment,she makes the statement that it's $8-$10 an hr. I asked what happened to the previously mentioned $4 and she claimed she never said that. Ok, I thought,sorry to have wasted each other's time,see you later,alligator.

A few months later, at an Alzheimer's support group meeting, who should the guest speaker be but the director of 5- county Coucils on Aging. Since I already thought this organization was a waste of time for anyone who wasn't exceptionally poor, I almost missed it when she said this: "All services provided by the Council on Aging are on a DONATION only basis."

You can bet I perked up instantly,on hearing this. Not only had that woman quoted me two different amounts to be paid, but she out and out lied by omission! I specifically asked the speaker if this 'donation' included sitters and she said it did. For anyone who knows the definition of 'donation' and really needed a sitter, this is a slap in the face right around the time when you start to realize that there really is no help. "Because you can't do it alone," is not a justification or good enough reason to actually get help from anywhere. Simply put, no one cares that you have to quit your job,that you will become homeless along with the person you are caring for,and have no money...at least for those 60 months until you become eligible for medicaid. No one. This is the reality of old sick people and their caregivers.

And don't get me started on the nursing home business in this country...much less 'nursing' being done, and more like sending someone there to die even earlier. There's no one even to point the blame,because it's all of us,myself included. WE are THE PEOPLE.

I am so bummed out now. Even more so knowing that all my ranting and raving do nothing for no one.

well i got a good one for you my dad is getting paid by va for his ex wife my dad is 88 she is 49 golddigger to be his care giver he has a head injury and he has bought her a new car and god knows how much money i know for fact she got 1500 in 3 days its my understanding there suppose to be a spouse not a ex spouse to get pd and know one will help me

There is a Federal Family Caregiver Support Program that may be able to reimburse your aunt or uncle for some of the expenses being incurred to care for your relative. This Program is frequently run through the local Area Agency on Aging. I supervise this Program in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Many times the Caregivers that we help are just thankful for reimbursement for Respite services so they can go out of the house together for a few hours without the person they are caring for. Household income is considered, but it is more generous than most programs out there. By this, I mean that the earned income amount is higher than a typical "low income" program permits. This Program can also provide reimbursement for home modifications and assistive devices that may be required for your loved one. If you do not have success finding your local Area Agency on Aging, contact any social services agency that you are familiar with and I am sure they will be able to guide you appropriately. I wish you and your family much success in caring for your loved one. It can be a very challenging time time. (If you can see my email when you read this, please feel free to email me and I can get you the phone number for the local Area Agency on Aging.

I have been caring for my spouse for several years now as the main caregiver. I left my job to do this. As far as I can tell, there really are no programs out there to help people who have worked all their lives. I applied for VA pension for my spouse and he was deemed eligible. A year later we recieved notice that he became ineligible 6mos into this pension and now they want their money back! It seems to me all these programs start off telling people they are eligible and once the money has been paid, they want it all back. I will not apply to any more of these programs because as far as I'm concerned they are all the same and I have enough stress in my life, then to have to deal with the government. They give you money and then want it back. It takes all these government programs so long to process anything that by the time they tell you that your eligibility has changed, they've already paid you for 6mos to a year. Social Security has nothing for caregivers and with the rest, unless you are destitude and own nothing, these programs are of no help. We have a house we are paying a mortgage on and are living on disability and a very small pension. I can't afford medical insurance for myself, but I'm grateful my spouse can get medical care through VA and also has Medicare. That is the extent of "help" we are able to get. I find it sickening that family caregivers are basically invisible in all of these "safety net" government programs.

I can relate to most of what everyone has commented to date...cared for 82.5 year old dear Dad w/Parkinson's & CHF. Learned a lot! Worked part time for 5 years so as to be helpful to him commuting 400 miles roundtrip 2 times a month and when he broke his hip, 9 weeks in a row...this has been going on now for 8 years....thankfully, I did keep that part-time job...and now I find myself running the gauntlet with the VA...he was approved for an Aid and Attendance pension, then they needed more info...1 1/2 years later, the latest letter threatens to take it all away and he would owe them...I have had to find the patience of Jobe inside me to see this through...the mountains of paperwork, the details, the medical records (3rd time to submit them, they seem to ignore them)....anyway, what I want to share is this: IF you have a disabled veteran who served during war time (or a widow of a veteran)...and they are unable to care for themselves, the caregiver CAN get paid to care for them through the housebound OR Aid and Attendance benefit. The A&A pays more. You have to keep meticulous records...research on line, even at the VA site, and they'll explain how the calculations work. It is worth the time and effort to apply, and then don't give up...each year, you have to fill out another form itemizing the income, and the expenses (medical expenses AND caregiver fees REDUCES income, so you might not think you qualify but you can!)...ONCE you get started using the pension to pay for care for the veteran, you will have no problem qualifying for the pension thereafter, (because you are spending the pension plus some more out of pocket to pay for the caretakers - and yes that means you can get paid to care for your veteran parent or spouse) but YES you will have to jump through hoops each year...So, right now, we use my Dad's SSI to pay my brother to take care of my Dad...he is there 24/7, however, we use the pension money to pay for other carers to come into the home to give my brother a break...this is working out for now due to my Dad's manageable condition...and my Dad loves being in his home and my brother has a place, too as of course my Dad cannot be alone. So, don't give up...me...., I have cared for my Dad for no pay all these years, but remember, I have maintained an part-time job..God bless all of you wonderful loving children and spouses, caring for people you love....DO make the effort to work with the VA; and utilize the FREE assistance that is offered to veterans and their families to help file the paperwork....AND be patient...I had to wait 7 months to hear back from them this time, just to be again asked for more information, much of which they already had...that is the patience part...it will take me 60 hours to gather all the info (not to mention commutes to talk to doctors, get more letters, medical records, carer statements, etc.,) but when I have finally sent it all off yet again...I will feel like I made the effort for my dear Dad and for him it is all worth it! One final note: It is obvious the health care system in this country is corrupted and rigged...otherwise, there would already be plans easily accessible for people to be trained to then be able to take care of their loved one in their homes and be paid a living wage to do it AS it is MUCH cheaper to keep a person in their home (in most instances) than to put them in a nursing home. They have a better quality of life in most instances and all would work well for everyone...but NO, the for profit model comes first...I don't have a solution...just a comment on it from the front lines...

There are attorneys that specialize in doing all the paperwork to file for the A&A benefits through the Federal Government. Worth the money to have it done right the first time and start the assistance.