My low income mom was asked to move in w/a 95 y/o rent free in her home in exchange for cooking, driving to doctor appts, being a companion, etc. She shares utility costs & food costs at a monthly cost to her of about $500-$600 a month. Her social security payment is $1400/month and she still has about $500/mo in other costs (car pmt, insurance) and misc bills. Though she does not pay rent, she is paying more in fiod & utilities sharing a big house than she did when on her own. She is currently waiting for section 8 to come thru.
Originally only 15 states participated. Now 49 states offer at least one of four options. New law went into effect last summer.
The names of these programs vary in each state, making it often difficult to find them. In Montana, it is called "Big Sky Bonanza" in Ohio "PASSPORT" and in Washington "New Freedom Program".... which makes no sense, but that is what they are called.
Qualifications may vary from state to state, as with any program, and many individuals qualify.
You often have to ask for these programs, as they may not be volunteer offered.
I qualified while caring for my parents, yet no one ever told me about it, and I never rec'd any payment because I never knew I was able to.
Really hope this helps, as my intention was to offer options that you may not have been aware of. For no other reason. I didn't want you to go through what I did, and miss available help to assist you.
I don't want to cause any controversy or problems, and perhaps it's best that I remove myself from the conversations.
Thanks for your input.
Yes, there are places in every state that provide free food, without having to go through food stamps, etc. Some of these places are St. Mary's Food Bank, Feeding America, Seniors Farmer's Market Nutritional Program, and more.
I was coming from the perspective of a caregiver having to prepare the meals for a loved one. I know budgets can be tight, and every little bit helps.
If you check with your local county, they often have a list of places to obtain food.
No, it is not only canned goods etc. They often provide meat, produce, and more.
Where I live, there is a place to obtain 60 pounds of fresh produce for $10... and all the food is fresh, no income requirements, and this food is salvaged from being tossed away, as it may not meet the perfect shape, size, that supermarkets purchase.
Meals on Wheels is for those that live in their homes alone, and cannot easily cook for themselves. They do rely on donations (usually about $3 per meal), but if a person cannot pay, they may still be able to obtain the food.
Does this information help?
Yes, I wrote a book. No, my intention was not 'hawking' as I thought I would just share what I know. Not so simple to supply specific info, as each state and county varies as to criteria, names and more. Apologize for how it may have come across.
Thanks for the info on the Workman's Comp
MOW isn't free here either. The cost is nominal, but it's most definitely not free.
Guess you have to buy her book to know.
About the "free food." I believe that the meals in question were those provided by the Meals on Wheels program, which varies from state to state. In my state, Florida, it may be free to some recipients, but there is a charge to those who can pay. It provides one meal a day. I've never tried it because the recipient has to guarantee to be home to receive delivery during set hours.
Edited my last post to add that I too question Camille's statement that the OP's mother can receive caregiver compensation if the person is disabled, unless Camille's referring to some specific disability allotment of which FF and I are unaware.
I think though that people who ask about being paid are inquiring about specific sources, i.e., the names of the programs, whether state specific, etc. I've done a lot of research and found no way I could be paid for caregiving other than by the person for whom I'm caring. Medicaid is not in the picture for us.
If I'm missing something, so are a lot of other posters here.
Frankly, I'm not comfortable providing any further information after reading about your long post in which you mention several times the fact that you've written a book, and, just as frankly, seem to be hawking it even though you don't specifically provide the title or cost.
If I'm wrong, I apologize, but your post seemed to me so much like a sales pitch, even absent the specific information.
I have never heard of such a thing.
Do you know where you may have obtained this information?
Thanks!
Also there are ways your mother can obtain assistance on her utility bills as well.
Hope this helps! Camille
If your mother drives her car for business purposes, which I think it would be considered since she's not a family member and is providing a service as part of a legal arrangement (whether codified or not), she's providing what might be considered a commercial service. Technically, she may have to have a CDL (commercial driver's license) and appropriate level of commercial liability insurance.
If she drives the other person's car, she should be added as a named insured on that person's personal auto policy.
But all in all, I think it's too much for an 83 year old woman, regardless of health, to be responsible for another older woman. If your mother becomes ill, who will take care of her?
If she provides companion and cooking services though, that's a different level of support. But it seems as though the arrangement isn't the best financially for your mom.
As to getting paid, she could (a) get a break on the costs she does pay and let the other woman absorb more, or (b) the woman could pay her directly, documented by a written caregiving contract, but your mother would have to factor it into her tax situation to ensure that she's not becoming liable for taxes she may not realize she owes.
And that's another issue - whether she's going to be an independent contractor or an employee of the other woman.
It does get complicated, doesn't it?
At 83, depending on your mother's condition, I don't see why this couldn't be a win/win if the 95 y/o would pay all of the utilities and groceries and your mother was just living in the house to make sure that if she needed help someone could call 911. For that kind of situation, she should be paying nothing. It seems some people think that old age is a disease that must be treated by incarceration in a nursing home. There are lots of other options. My uncle 95 years old and his wife live in assisted living and have somebody come in to help out with personal needs. I have a friend (and many other acquaintances) who live in public housing for the elderly. Sounds like that's what your 83 yo mother is looking to get into. This is a very good alternative to having to maintain a private residence or going into assisted living if that level of care is not needed.
I agree that her disappointment should be shared with whoever she made this arrangement with, but I do not agree with the social worker. When you get the government involved, it is always bad. That goes for Medicaid too.
Or depending on the 95 year old's health issues, he/she could qualify for full-time nursing care at a nursing home under Medicaid. I see your Mom is waiting on Section 8 housing. Could your Mom check and see if there are any senior housing where her rent would be based on her income? Or is that Section 8 in your area?