Will Social Security Pay For A Caregiver?
If you are caring for a parent or loved one you could be eligible to receive Social Security benefits as their primary caregiver. Social Security benefits, though, can’t be used to pay for a caregiver that you hire, it would simply be a way to help support you financially should you take on the responsibilities as a caregiver.
Caring for an elderly spouse, parent, or friend can often cut into your time, decreasing your availability to work as many hours. There are often other expenses for medical supplies, living expenses, and other costs that can make it difficult to stay afloat financially. If that is the case, you can apply for Social Security benefits to help substitute your income and cover some of the costs of providing home care for your loved one.
Qualifying for Social Security as a Caregiver
As the spouse or family member caring for a loved one who is seriously ill you can apply for Social Security benefits to help cover costs involved with being his or her caregiver. Eligibility depends on several factors such as financial need, state of residence, income, and assets. Some applicants may only qualify for benefits from one program while those in serious financial need may qualify for both SSI and SSDI.
You may also qualify for benefits if your spouse is suffering from a serious medical condition such as:
- ALS
- Cerebral Palsy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cancer
If you’ve applied for Social Security benefits as a caregiver and been denied, you may want to look into other state-funded programs that pay spouses as caregivers. State programs may also assist in paying for part or all of home care should you choose to hire through an agency. In the state of Arizona, you may be eligible for Self Directed Attendant Care (SDAC) benefits as the caregiver of a loved one. Depending on the circumstances, you may also be eligible for Medicare assistance to cover home care services.
Every State Has Different Rules For Being A Caregiver For A Family Member
You will have to look up all the different rules for caregiving for your state. It is a process of paperwork and research that can take anywhere from usually 1-3 months, in some cases a year.
Caregiver Services from the Leading Home Care Providers in Phoenix, AZ
Are you looking for a caregiver for your loved one? Call (480) 999-3012 and talk to one of our staff at Devoted Guardians. We are one of Arizona’s largest home care providers and offer daily 24-hour living assistance, including nighttime watch and personal assistance.
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23 Comments
Can you help finicalhelp im dying with cancer
We would need more details about your situation, you can call the office number and ask us.
I just moved to Oklahoma and I take care of my husband. He had a massive stroke he can’t walk, he can’t get out of bed by himself, he has a large memory lost, his left hand shake, he can’t rule over. All his motor skills are off. Please say I can get social security to take care of him. Please let me know if I’m eligible if I am please send me a link
We are in Arizona. But we looked for this information in Oklahoma. I hope this works for you: https://www.ok.gov/health/Protective_Health/Long_Term_Care_Service/
Long Term Care Services
1000 N.E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1207
Phone: (405) 271-6868
Fax: (405) 271-2206
Email: LTC@health.ok.gov
I’m looking to be my father’s primary care giver but with expenses I will like to know how I can get paid to do so
It’s a process, maybe this link will link: https://www.seniorproviders.com/blog/how-to-become-a-paid-caregiver-for-your-parents
My mother is 93 yrs old, I need someone to bath her daily in Hernando county Florida. What are my options?
Caring.com is a good place to find a reputable caregiving service: https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care/florida/hernando-county – We have also made this list on 20 Questions to Ask A Caregiver Before Hiring Them – Search Google maps also and finding a company that has solid reviews that look like real reviews from real people would help, we found https://www.seniorhelpers.com/fl/nature-coast?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb. If she hasn’t had her shower modified for easy access, that would help too.
I’m primary caregiver for mother who had a stroke @ father who had cancer. Can l get social security to help with expensesJust turned 65.
There are a lot of options to think over, and depending on your situation. “Overall, you need to know your loved one’s eligibility for various government programs, insurance policy benefits, employee benefits, and family payment options if you hope to become a paid caregiver for a family member.” Senior Link – Here is a link to an article that might help: https://www.seniorlink.com/blog/how-to-become-a-paid-caregiver-for-a-family-member-6-steps-to-uncovering-financial-assistance-options-for-family-caregivers
I’m trying to find out how I go about becoming a caregiver for my elderly mom. She gets Social Security, on medicare, and medicaid. We are in Indiana. I know you are in AZ, just seeing if you can point me in the right direction. Not having much luck on my own.
There are a lot of options to think over, and depending on your situation. It’s a process, but we’d recommend starting at https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/3476.htm
I live with my client 24/7, responsibilities are bathing 3 days a week, dressing, assisting from wheelchair to toilet, preparing all meals, errands, shopping and all appointments and I also put her to bed every night and get her up every morning. We were both with a home care company and decided I would work for her as a private care giver. The fee she paid was $17.00 an hr, mileage, ot and holiday pay now she isn’t paying for any of that and I get $13.00 hr. I get 35-40 hrs a week but feel it should be more I have no insurance now and more expenses than before. I use my vehicle on all errands and shopping and bill paying. What are the options for assistance I could look into and should I charge more? In Arkansas
It is different for every state, and we reside in Arizona so we are not familiar with the rules in Arkansas. The average wage for homecare in Arkansas is about $20 an hour. It is quite a process to get approved and you need Medicare. This site might be of help: https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/arkansas/independent-choices
how can i apply? i live in Texas
The rules are different for being a caregiver in different states; we are in Arizona. This link might help, just know it is usually a 1-4 month process and a lot of paperwork. https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/paid-caregiver/texas
I’m in Missouri and I’m trying to find out how to get a caregiver for my and my other half. Both of us are on SSDI. We have many limitations and need help in lots of ways. Could you help lead us in a direction that could help. Thank you
It can take months of process, but if you are patient and do enough research, calls, and contacts, you can get there, I would start here: https://health.mo.gov/seniors/caregiver.php
I am a live in caregiver to my mother in the state of Missouri. Ive been doing this with no income for about three years and am beginning to worry about my finances in my coming years. She is 86 and she is very weak, unable to clean or cook or drive anymore. She is not on medicaid, she has money but does not pay me. What can I do to help myself financially? Are there any programs that I could use to get paid as a caregiver?
You will have to look up all the different rules for caregiving for your state. It is a process of paperwork and research that can take anywhere from usually 1-3 months, in some cases a year.. Here is the government website for caregiving information in Missouri: https://health.mo.gov/seniors/caregiver.php
I have a neighbor that has a daughter that had been in a very bad car accident that left her paralyzed from C6 down. They are having a hard time as she is the care provider for her and is trying to juggle a full time job. They live on Texas and the financial strain is really starting to get worse. Can they get money both from social security and the state for being their daughters primary caregivers?
That is a tough one. It usually only works for seniors or older people with disabilities but Texas caregivers options are different than Arizona. They have a gov. support number that might help: Call 855-YES-ADRC (855-937-2372), a trained professional will guide you to available caregiver services. They can tell you how to find help locating resources in your area. You can also try creating a Gofundme.com account to get some financial help.