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T
Toninho Asked November 2020

Can a member of a family (wife, son or daughter) serve as a caregiver for the senior member and get paid for the services provided?

Instead of sending our parent to a senior care facility, can a son take care of the parent at home and get paid for his services as a caregiver?


lacyisland Nov 2020
YES.
I am assuming your asking can they get paid and your parent still get medicaid/medicare??

There are rules about it. IE number of hours a week, a year etc. Are you planning on inheriting or taking over ownership of your parents home? Look it up on the medicare medicaid web site or call someone at Medicare medicaid

There are also some IRS rules around it as well. Check with IRS.gov or a good accountant

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Guestshopadmin Nov 2020
A spouse is not eligible to be paid by Medicaid in CA.
worriedinCali Nov 2020
A spouse can absolutely be paid in California though IHSS which is our Medicaid program. https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ltc/Pages/IHSS.aspx https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/ltc/Pages/IHSS.aspx
BurntCaregiver Nov 2020
A person can get paid out of their parents own bank accounts. It's best to have this worked out in writing ahead of time to prevent any problems arising. Also, depending on where you live, there are some states that have state-sponsored programs that pay family caregivers to take care of an elder instead of putting them in a nursing home. Your state's social services agency can give you information on it.

freqflyer Nov 2020
Toninho, the vast majority of grown children who are caregivers do not get paid... unless their parent(s) can pay from their retirement fund.

If that isn't possible, then check to see if your parents can qualify for Medicaid [which is different from Medicare]. Each State has their own Medicaid fund and programs. Check with your State. It is possible to be paid, but you wouldn't be paid the same as holding down a job outside of the home. Don't be surprised if the State only offers minimum wage for a few hours a week, hopefully your State does better.

If either parent was in the military, check and see if there are any programs.

worriedinCali Nov 2020
Sure. Your parent can absolutely use their money to pay you. If they are very low income, it’s possible to get paid through IHSS which is a state program but it’s minimum wage and only pays for a few hours a week. IHSS is administered by your county department of social services & there are some requirements and exclusions. There are no benefits and very rarely do you get more than 20-30 hours a week.

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