How much income is too much for a senior to receive in...
What's the maximum income in California for a senior that would still allow someone to be paid for caring for their sibling?
Expert Answer
Medi-Cal is the name of California's Medicaid program of health care coverage for people with low incomes and few assets (other than a home). One of Medi-Cal's programs for people who need care at home is called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This program provides a number of different personal and health care services. It can also provide direct payments to the senior, who can then turn around and pay family caregivers. Programs like these are explained in this site's article How to Get Paid for Being Your Parent's Caregiver.
The Medi-Cal IHSS program has no fixed maximum income for a senior to qualify. The amount of income the senior's allowed depends on the amount of care he or she needs. A senior with somewhat higher income can still qualify for the program but will be asked to pay a portion of the total cost of care, called a "share of cost." For the official explanation of the IHSS program in California, go to the California Department of Social Services web site . Another excellent, detailed explanation of the program is provided by the non-profit disability rights web site Disability Benefits 101 .
To apply for Medi-Cal, and to find out about eligibility for one of its IHSS programs, contact your local county Medi-Cal office. To find your local office, go to the list provided by the state's Department of Health Care Services .