Family caregivers play a crucial role in assisting seniors as well as people with chronic illnesses, injuries, disabilities, or special needs to live comfortably in their own homes. Many people willingly embrace this role, looking after their relatives out of love and devotion. Although these informal caregivers selflessly dedicate their time and effort, caring for a loved one can incur significant financial burdens. As normal as it is to care for our family members, such caregiving is still a form of work deserving of compensation and support.
In the United States, there exist various government and private avenues for financial assistance and support for family caregivers, but the availability of these resources varies from one state to another. By transforming their informal family caregiving roles into professional or semi-professional positions, family caregivers can access the support and training required to enhance their financial stability and provide the highest quality care services for their loved ones. In this article, we will explore the programs and benefits available in Minnesota, the eligibility criteria for these programs, and the potential earnings for family caregivers in the state.
Unpaid Vs Paid Family Caregiving In Minnesota
According to recent research from the AARP Public Policy Institute, there are 530,000 unpaid family caregivers in Minnesota dedicated to looking after their loved ones. These caregivers collectively contribute 500 million hours of unpaid care each year, equivalent to approximately $10 billion in value.
In contrast, data from Indeed.com reveals the earnings of paid family caregivers in Minnesota:
- On average, a paid family caregiver in Minnesota earns around $17 per hour.
- Annual salaries for family caregivers in Minnesota typically fall within the range of $32,826 to $49,799.
These figures can vary based on factors such as geographical location, educational background, certifications, experience, and any additional skills a candidate brings to the role.
Caregivers in Minnesota can boost their earning potential and access additional resources to support their caregiving responsibilities and their families by pursuing formal training, certification, or gaining experience with established home care agencies.
How To Get Paid For Family Care In Minnesota
If you’re looking for ways to receive financial support as a family caregiver in Minnesota, there are several federal and state benefits that you may qualify for. If you want to receive a salary or make caregiving your career, there are established home care agencies in Minnesota that can employ you to take care of family members.
State And Federal Financial Support for Caregiving In Minnesota
Tax Credit For Children And Dependents
If you fulfill the right income criteria, you can claim for children or other dependents on your federal tax return, potentially receiving up to $2,000 for each qualified dependent. You could also claim up to $8,000 for services such as babysitting, daycare, or caregiving expenses if you hired another person to care for your dependent(s) while at work or looking for work.
Medicaid And State Assistance Programs In Minnesota
Medicaid Waivers
Minnesota residents enrolled in Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) can direct their Medicaid funding directly to caregiving family members using Medicaid Waivers. These include programs such as:
- The Elderly Waiver (EW)
- The Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver
- The Minnesota Personal Care Assistance (PCA)
- Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO)
- Senior Care Plus (MSC+)
To see if you qualify for a Medicaid Waiver through Minnesota’s Medical Assistance, contact Nova Home Care Minnesota for assistance in the application and assessment process.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Some long-term care insurance policies allow patients to employ a family member or friend as their caregiver. Contact the patient’s insurance company to see if this is an option in their case.
Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a range of programs for veterans, some of which allow the recipient to select a family member as their caregiver. For example:
- Veterans in Minnesota who meet the clinical criteria can employ a relative as their caregiver for between $8-$21 per hour through the Veteran-Directed Care Program (VDC). VA pension rates can be used to pay family caregivers an annual salary from $10,757 to $42,433.
- The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) supports the family caregivers of veterans with service-related disabilities or illnesses with training, resources, and a variable stipend of up to $2,750 per month.
- The Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefits and Housebound Allowance offers additional discretionary pension funds to veterans, which they can then use to employ family caregivers.
Get Paid As A Family Caregiver Via A Home Care Agency
If you are not sure whether you meet the eligibility criteria for federal or state assistance as a family caregiver, a home care agency can offer you financial support as you provide care for your loved ones. Nova Home Care Minnesota actively seeks applications from family caregivers in the Minnesota area who wish to care for their own family members. We not only recognize the strong motivation and a deep commitment to assisting others that family caregivers possess but also help informal caregivers turn their caregiving experience into a fulfilling career.
For comprehensive details regarding compensation and benefits, including salary, insurance, 401K, training, and more, please visit our careers page or contact us online.