Get paid through Medicaid in California
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Medicaid waivers allow states to offer additional services and benefits not typically covered under Medicaid by "waiving" certain federal requirements to provide more tailored support to specific populations, such as those needing long-term care.
In California, the following Medicaid waivers are available with an option for caregiver pay:
- AIDS Medi-Cal Waiver Program: This waiver allows participants to self-direct their personal care services, which may include hiring a family member as a caregiver. The waiver also covers other services such as home health, skilled nursing, hospice, and case management.
- Home and Community-Based Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver: This waiver allows participants to self-direct their personal care services and nursing services, which may include hiring a family member as a caregiver. The waiver also covers other services such as home health, durable medical equipment, home modifications, and transition assistance.
- Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for the Developmentally Disabled (HCBS-DD) Waiver: This waiver allows participants to self-direct some or all of their services through the Self-Determination Program, which gives them an individual budget and the option to hire their service providers, including family members.
- Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP): This waiver allows participants to self-direct their personal care services and other supportive services, which may include hiring a family member as a caregiver. The waiver also covers services like adult day care, home health, nutrition, social work, and care management.
can you get paid?
Who are you caring for?
Medicaid programs and waivers can change over time, so it's important to consult the official California Medicaid website or contact the California Department of Human Services for the most up-to-date information on available waivers and eligibility requirements.
How does a Medicaid waiver work to pay family caregivers?
Medicaid waivers allow family caregivers to get paid through self-direction programs (also known as consumer direction, participant direction, or other similar names), giving care recipients more control over their care by enabling them to choose who provides it, including family members. To get paid, the care recipient must be evaluated and approved for in-home care, after which the caregiver may need to complete training, acquire credentials, and be "employed" by an agency that processes payments. Once enrolled and hired, caregivers must document and verify their work according to the program's procedures.
How much do family members get paid by Medicaid for caregiving in California?
Pay rates for family caregivers vary based on:
- Program guidelines: Each waiver program may have specific rules and regulations regarding caregiver compensation. These guidelines often outline the maximum hourly rate allowed.
- Local wage rates: Hourly rates are determined at the local zip code level based on a variety of factors.
- Qualifications and experience: Your qualifications and experience as a caregiver can impact your hourly rate. If you have specialized training or certifications relevant to caregiving, it may justify a higher rate. Additionally, your years of experience in caregiving can also influence your compensation.
- Level of care required: The level of care needed by the individual you are caring for can impact your hourly rate. Higher levels of care, such as providing medical assistance or supporting individuals with complex needs, may justify a higher rate compared to basic caregiving tasks.
- Time commitment: The number of hours you dedicate to caregiving can influence your hourly rate. If you are providing care full-time or have a significant time commitment, it may justify a higher rate compared to part-time caregivers.
- Market demand: The demand for caregivers in your area can also affect your hourly rate. If there is a shortage of caregivers or a high demand for specific types of care, it may drive up the hourly rates.
Annual unpaid care value:
$81.0B
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Can you get paid to care for your loved one?
Get paid through VA in California
Veterans, and the surviving spouses of veterans, have a few options to pay family caregivers.
Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Care in CA
The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program allows veterans to choose how to direct their monthly care budget. This means that when hiring a caregiver, a veteran can choose to hire his/her family member. The caregiving family member will be paid the hourly rate determined by the VA, typically $8-$21 per hour. VDC is available to veterans of all ages enrolled in VA medical benefits and require skilled services and assistance with activities of daily living.
Veteran Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit in CA
If your veteran loved one requires professional long-term in-home, assisted living, or nursing home care, you may be eligible for Aid and Attendance (A&A). The A&A Pension can provide up to $3,261 per month to pay for care, including to caregiving family members. A&A is an add-on benefit that requires eligibility for the basic VA pension or survivor pension, as well as meeting a disability requirement.
Housebound Pension Benefit in CA
The Housebound Pension benefit provides funds to veterans who are mostly unable to leave their homes. Similar to the A&A benefit, the Housebound Pension can be used to pay family caregivers. The Housebound Pension can be worth up to $1,882 per month, and spouses are unable to be paid as the family caregiver under the Housebound benefit, as spouse income is included in the calculation of the benefit. To qualify for Housebound, a veteran must be limited to his/her house and be eligible for the basic VA pension. Veterans cannot get A&A and Housebound benefits at the same time.
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) in CA
The PCAFC is the VA's broadest program targeting family caregivers. The program provides family caregivers with a stipend of up to $2,750 per month, in addition to training, counseling, and respite care. To qualify, the veteran must have been critically hurt or had a serious illness in the line of duty, and require help with at least one activity of daily living.
Find support through the California Caregiver Resource Centers
Every state is mandated by the federal government to create support systems for family caregivers. They often reach local communities through Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).
Area Agencies on Aging are crucial in supporting family caregivers caring for older adults. These agencies typically offer various services, resources, and programs to assist family caregivers in their caregiving responsibilities. Some of the most common ways in which state Agencies on Aging support family caregivers include:
- Information and referrals: AAAs provide guidance on local resources, support groups, caregiver training, and respite care options.
- Caregiver education and training: They organize programs on caregiving techniques, stress management, healthcare navigation, and legal/financial aspects.
- Respite care: They offer temporary relief for caregivers, enabling them to take breaks and attend to their well-being.
- Support groups: They facilitate caregiver support groups for sharing experiences, concerns, and learning from others.
- Caregiver assessments: AAAs evaluate caregivers' needs and provide tailored support and recommendations.
- Counseling and consultation: They offer professional guidance and emotional support for caregivers.
- Advocacy and policy development: They advocate for caregiver-friendly policies and programs.
- Access to benefits and services: They assist caregivers in accessing benefits and programs like Medicaid, home-based services, and transportation assistance.
How do I find my local AAA?
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Get tax credit for caregiving in California
What is a tax credit?
Tax credits are a way for the government to incentivize and compensate taxpayers for positive activities. A variety of tax credits cover a wide range of expenses and situations such as education, green energy, and caregiving. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of the income tax you owe. For example, if you owe $4,000 in federal taxes but are eligible for a $3,000 tax credit, your tax bill is $1,000.
What tax credits are available for family caregivers?
The
Child and Dependent Tax Credit (CDCTC) is a tax credit earned by caregivers for a percentage of care-related expenses. Eligible expenses must be for the care of a child or dependent in order to enable the taxpayer to work or look for work.
How much can I earn in tax credits for caregiving?
The total tax credit you can claim in California for caregiving is $1,400.
Additionally, California matches the federal tax credit up to 50%, which can equate to an extra $300 off your taxes.
The CDCTC provides a tax credit for a percentage of your eligible caregiving expenses. The maximum CDCTC at the federal level is $1,100.
To get the CDCTC, you must claim your loved one as your dependent on your tax forms. You loved one must qualify to be claimed as a dependent based on a number of criteria. After claiming your loved one as a dependent, you will need to fill out
tax form 2441. The tax form requires a clear picture of your care-related expenses that allowed you to work or look for work.
Other ways to get paid as a family caregiver in California
Other caregiver pay programs in CA
Here are a few caregiver payment programs in your state that you may want to explore:
- Cash and Counseling Program: Some counties in California participate in the Cash and Counseling program, which allows eligible caregivers to receive direct cash payments to provide care services. These payments give caregivers flexibility in hiring and managing their care workforce.
- Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS): CBAS provides medical and social services in a community setting. Family caregivers may be eligible for compensation through this waiver.
- California Paid Family Leave: This program offers partial wage replacement for California residents who have State Disability Insurance (SDI) through their employer and are caring for a seriously ill family member who requires care in a hospital, hospice center, or at home on a continuous basis.
Long term care insurance
If your loved one has a long term care insurance policy, that policy may allow for the direction of funds to a family caregiver. To learn if this is an option for you, contact your loved one's insurance company or agent and ask about caregiver benefits.
Employer-sponsored caregiving leave
A growing number of companies are offering to pay employees while they take a leave to take care of a loved one. To learn if this is an option for you, talk to the Human Resources department at your company.
While the federal government does not require private employers to offer paid family leave, California enacted a rule in 2005 that could be worth $1,540 per week to caregivers. Employees can receive 60%-70% of their weekly earnings, up to $1,540 a week, for up to eight weeks within any 12-month period, to care for an ill spouse, child, parent or registered domestic partner. Learn more here
Get paid by family
When your family measures all of the
potential costs of care, including nursing homes, in-home nurses, and more, they may recognize that your support is a much more cost-effective option. If there are funds available, you should ask to be compensated for your time and efforts, especially when compared to the costs of the alternatives.
Know your caregiver rights and resources in California
Legal rights and protections for caregivers are essential to ensure their recognition, support, and fair treatment, allowing them to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities while safeguarding their own well-being.
Laws and programs in California that provide support to family caregivers include the following:
- California Paid Sick Leave: California's Paid Sick Leave law requires employers to provide eligible employees with paid sick leave. Caregivers may be eligible to use their accrued sick leave to care for a family member's medical needs.
- California Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs): The state operates CRCs that offer a range of support services to family caregivers, including counseling, training, respite care, and assistance with navigating available resources.
- California Work and Family Coalition: The California Work & Family Coalition advocates for policies that support working families, including paid family leave and job protections, to promote a healthy balance between work and family responsibilities.
- CARE Act: The Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act, passed in over 40 US states, is intended to provide family caregivers of hospitalized patients with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and efficient transitions.
