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I took my 83 yr old mother to her hair dresser a few days ago, and a woman who works there commented "that I should look into social security paying me, for taking care of my parents." She claims she has a neighbor who was paid by the feds, in order to take care of her elderly parents. The hair dresser lady said, "that the Federal Government would rather pay you; to take care of your parents, then to run up medicare charges for nursing home fees."
This doesn't seem possible to me, so I thought I would ask the experts here? I live in north east IL, if that plays into the equation with social security? As as side note, I have been taking care of my parents full time since 2006. My mom is 83, and my dad is 84. I had to quite my job in 2006 into order to care for them full time.
Any input on the matter is appreciated!
Thanks,
Bill

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"the Federal Government would rather pay you; to take care of your parents, then to run up medicare charges for nursing home fees."

Oh if only that were true!!! It should be - and perhaps one day it will be.

But in truth most caregivers take on their parents care for no compensation, and in fact spend a good deal of their own funds making sure our parents have what they need. Some of us quit our jobs, lose our insurance, and end up impoverished taking care of our elders.

Make the calls to your counties DFCS or Aging Agency - find out what is available. Perhaps Meals on Wheels would save some money if Mom qualifies, or food stamps - every little bit helps, and you won't know if you don't ask.
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Social Security is for retired seniors who have paid into the system. The majority of retirees get back more in their pension than they did paying into the system. Using Social Security for elderly care would deplete further the already low funds. What needs to be done is for the government to initiate laws to keep elder care affordable for everyone.
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I believe that a Representative payee in Social Security is only a way that you could receive the social security check for your parent....with the expectation that you would manage the paying of their bills and their care needs with their money. I do not think it is an ADDITIONAL payment to you on top of them getting their social security checks. I do know, that in Arizona, at least, IF your parents were on Medicaid, they can be paid money via Medicaid to cover the cost of caregivers in the home...which amounts to about 4 hours/day in AZ....and that, YES, with some application process and approval, you could be the one who receives that payment, but I do think the requirements include you being educated as a certified nurses aid, and completing certain skills such as becoming CPR certified. In other words....they won't pay the money to just anyone living in the home....the person doing the 'caregiving', but be fully trained in how to be a caregiver.
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Benefits for Caregivers
Although the Social Security Act provides benefits for many circumstances, it does not provide funding of benefits for caregivers of elderly recipients, not even when the caregiver is the adult child of the beneficiary. Representatives of the Social Security Administration suggest that you contact social services agencies in your community if you need assistance in finding resources that make it possible for you to care for your elderly parent.




Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income, although administered through the SSA, is not paid with Social Security taxes. Funding for SSI comes from U.S. Treasury general funds. SSI makes payments to low-income people with few resources, who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. If your parent qualifies for SSI benefits, which are paid in addition to Social Security benefits in specific circumstances, this may provide an income source that would allow you to properly care for your elderly parent.
SSI Income and Resource Limits
SSI income limits are based partially on your state of residence. In each state, the income level fluctuates from year to year, and the SSA sets the limit. Your elderly parent may qualify for SSI if his income and resources fall below prescribed levels. For purposes of qualifying for SSI, the agency counts real estate, bank accounts, cash, stocks and bonds as resources. Resources are limited to $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Your parent's home, life insurance valued at $1,500 or less in most cases, your parent's vehicle; burial plots for your parent and immediate family; and $1,500 in burial funds for your parent are not counted against your parent's resource total
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Hi BillS72,

Thank you for submitting this question on our website. We appreciate your involvement in our caregiving community.

There are two great article written by AgingCare.com Editor’s that were already posted in our community. We thought this might answer your caregiving question.

LINK:
“10 Government Programs You Can Access for Your Elderly Parents.”
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/10-Government-Programs-Caregivers-Can-Access-for-Their-Elderly-Parents-120513.htm

and

“How Can I Get Paid for taking Care of My Elderly Parents?”
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-to-get-paid-for-being-a-caregiver-135476.htm


We hope this helps. Please let us know if you need anything else and we look forward to seeing more questions and discussions from you.


Thank you,
Karie H.
The AgingCare.com Team
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I am out of work taking care of my father who is 83 can I get paid for being his caregiver??? my cousin said you can oh by the way I am in NV. Thanks Miss Dana Glass
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Would my elderly mother would lose her social security benefit if she participates in the IHSS program?
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My sister & niece applied to the agency that was sending CNA's (certified nursing aid) to care for my mom at home. She quaIifies for 27 hrs a week after she had been evaluated. I think they just needed to complete a CPR course, get a TB test, background check. I'm not totally sure who pays for it, state or fed but it's not SS. Her Medicaid/Medicare manager does home visits & is a wonderful lady. She gave us the info for the agency to contact. That way my sister & niece could be there to take care of her & get paid too! Since my mom is so difficult they had to split the time between them.
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Oh & my mom qualifies for home health care because she had 4 strokes & is now limited her mobility. Just FYI she is 84 yrs old, gets around $800 in SS a month which just covers her mortgage. Hope that helps clarify things.
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I get paid to take care of my mother so yes they do pay you. Have your parent call their social security coordinator and they will send someone out to talk to y'all.
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worriedinCali Aug 2018
Social security is not paying you to take care of your mother. They don’t pay for that.
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