Under the program, the primary
caregiver is allowed to decide what support is needed from the program and
other community resources. This could involve any combination of
caregiving information and educational opportunities, respite services,
supplementary care, consumable supplies, assistive devices and home
modifications. the program rules require that the primary caregiver and
the care receiver live in the same household.
The maximum financial benefit
available under the program is $200 per month in reimbursement for the
purchase of services and supplies and a "grant" of no more than
$2,000 over the life of a case to help with the purchase of home
modifications and expensive assistive devices. Families within 200% of the
poverty level can receive full financial benefits. Families with incomes
between 200% and 380% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced
financial benefits based on a sliding scale. The majority of participating
families are eligible for full benefits. For example, based on current
guidelines, a household of five (a daughter, her spouse, two children, and
a care receiving parent) could have an aggregate income of $38,500 before
the financial benefit would be reduced at all, and they would still be
eligible for half of the financial benefit with an income of up to
$57,750.
Consumers typically utilize their
monthly financial benefit for purchasing day care services, hands-on
assistance at home, nutritional supplements, over the counter medications,
incontinence supplies, and assistive devices. Families use their
"capital assistance" benefit to help pay for items such as lift
chairs, stair glides, portable ramps and other various assistive devices.
They also use the grant to make modifications to their home to facilitate
caregiving and safety, like adding a downstairs bathroom, building a ramp,
or modifying an existing bathroom.
If you think you might qualify
for help from the Family Caregiver Support Program, you should call your
local Office of Aging. The number can usually be found in the Human
services or Hotline sections of your telephone directory.
Return
to Marshall, Parker & Associates' Home Page
