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See If You're EligibleMedicaid pays family caregivers in Virginia
What is a Medicaid Waiver?
Medicaid Waivers are exceptions to Medicaid rules that allow states to offer programs that do not fit within the traditional boundaries of Medicaid. Every state has at least one waiver in place to allow the payment of family caregivers.
In Virginia, the following Medicaid waivers are available with an option for caregiver pay:
Virginia has two types of waivers: Developmental Disability Waivers (DDW) and Long-Term Services and Supports Waivers (LTSS).
The two DDW with a participant-direction option are:
These waivers provide services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need a certain level of support to live in the community. All three DDW offer self-direction options for some services, such as personal assistance, respite, companionship, and supported living. Participants can hire and manage their own workers, including family members, friends, or neighbors if they meet the qualifications and pass a background check.
The LTSS waiver with a participant-direction option is:
This waiver helps individuals who are elderly or have physical disabilities and need a nursing facility level of care to remain in their homes or communities. This waiver also offers self-direction options for personal care, respite, and companion services. Participants can use the same process as the DDW to hire and manage their own workers. Each waiver has different eligibility requirements, service limits, and waiting lists.
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Who are you caring for?
Medicaid programs and waivers can change over time, so it's important to consult the official Virginia Medicaid website or contact the Virginia 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?
In most cases, to get paid by Medicaid as a family caregiver, you will work through a program called self-direction (also known as Consumer Direction, Participant Direction, or other similar names). Medicaid self-direction programs give people who need long-term care services more control over their care. Typically, when someone receives Medicaid-funded care, the government decides who will provide it and how it will be given. With self-direction, the person receiving care has more say in how care is provided and by whom, sometimes including family members.
While enrolling in self-direction can be complicated, it is a viable opportunity for caregivers to get paid for their work. Enrollment typically involves the care recipient going through an evaluation to determine their need for in-home care and obtaining approval accordingly. Afterward, you may need to complete training, acquire credentials, and secure "employment" with an agency responsible for processing payments for your billable hours. Once enrolled and hired by the agency, you must follow specific procedures to document and verify your work to get paid.
How much do family members get paid by Medicaid for caregiving in Virginia?
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:
$14.3B
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Can you get paid to care for your loved one?
Virginia's VA pays caregivers for veterans
Veterans, and the surviving spouses of veterans, have a few options to pay family caregivers.
Veteran Directed Home & Community Based Care in VA
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 VA
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 VA
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 VA
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.
How does the Virginia Department for the Aging support family caregivers?
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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Virginia tax credit for caregiving
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 Virginia for caregiving is $1,100.
Additionally, Virginia matches the federal tax credit up to , which can equate to an extra off your taxes.
The Virginia House is currently considering bill HB0291 to create a tax credit that equal to 50% of a caregiver's care-related expenses. The tax credit could be worth up to $1,000 for caregivers. The bill is currently under consideration. Read more...
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.
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Givers hires, supports, and pays people who are caring for their loved ones.
See If You're EligibleOther ways to get paid as a family caregiver in Virginia
Other caregiver pay programs in VA
Here are a few caregiver payment programs in your state that you may want to explore:
- Aged, Blind, and Disabled Program: The Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) program offers healthcare coverage, support services, and sometimes cash assistance to eligible individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled, aiming to meet their healthcare needs and enhance their well-being.
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.
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.
If your family does agree to pay you for your caregiving efforts, you should consult with an attorney to arrange a contract that details your work and wage. This step will create documentation that may be important in the future for reimbursement from Medicaid, health insurance, or assisted living in the future.
Understanding Caregiver Rights and Resources Virginia
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 Virginia that provide support to family caregivers include the following:
- Virginia Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable (CARE) Act: The Virginia CARE Act, enacted in 2016, requires hospitals to offer patients the opportunity to designate a caregiver upon admission. It also mandates that hospitals must notify the designated caregiver before the patient is discharged, and provide them with instructions and demonstrations of any necessary medical tasks they will need to perform at home.
- Virginia Lifespan Respite Voucher Program: This program provides respite care vouchers to unpaid family caregivers in Virginia. The vouchers can be used to hire respite care providers, allowing caregivers temporary relief from their caregiving responsibilities. The program aims to prevent caregiver burnout and support caregivers' well-being.
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): DARS provides various programs and services that support family caregivers. These include counseling, support groups, caregiver training, information and referral services, and respite care options. DARS also operates the Virginia Lifespan Respite Care Network, which connects caregivers to available respite care resources.
- Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA): VDA is responsible for administering programs and services that support older adults and their caregivers in Virginia. They provide information and assistance to caregivers, coordinate services, and offer caregiver support programs through local Area Agencies on Aging.
