5 Ways to Get Paid Caring for a Loved One in Florida

In the U.S., over 48 million people provide unpaid care for an adult family member. Many of these caregivers are spending over $7,000 out-of-pocket each year to care for a loved one.

The good news is Florida and other states have programs to help caregivers and provide them with some financial relief. There are income and asset guidelines that can exclude some individuals from these programs.

Financial assistance helps caregivers avoid burnout and continue to care for a loved one. If you're interested in learning about how to get paid for family caregiving from Medicaid, we have the information you need.

Here's a guide on applying for assistance as a Florida Medicaid family caregiver.

Does Medicare Cover Family Caregivers?

Florida offers Medicare programs that help individuals who care for family members. The goal of these programs is to keep participants out of nursing homes by providing much-needed support services.

Nursing home care is expensive. Most older adults prefer to be at home, if possible.

These programs save state money and allow older Americans to stay in their homes.

Managed Medical Assistance

The majority of Florida residents enrolled in Medicaid receive managed medical assistance (MMA). Florida pays for this health insurance, which covers medical and dental care, doctor appointments, hospital care, and prescriptions.

The state pays the insurance, but the insurance plan is through private insurers like Aetna, Humana, or Molina. MMA plans cover home care and other needs, such as housekeeping, for those eligible.

To qualify, the patient's doctor provides the prescription, and a home health nurse creates a care plan for the patient. If patients and caregivers meet state requirements, MMA may pay a Florida Medicaid family caregiver for the care they're already providing.

Long-Term Care Waiver

The Florida Long-Term Care Waiver (LTC) assists those at risk of nursing home placement. The goal is to avoid the nursing home and keep them at home.

Eligibility means the individual must be enrolled in Medicaid, be 65 or older, be 18 and have a disability, or have AIDs, cystic fibrosis, or a traumatic brain injury.

An LTC care recipient must need substantial care. The program pays for adult daycare services, at-home care, and a variety of other services.

With an LTC, family caregivers may qualify for payment for their services.

Does Social Security Pay for Home Health Care?

Seniors who receive Social Security, SSDI, or SSI can use these funds for home health and home care services. Although Social Security won't pay caregivers directly, seniors may have the option of using their benefits to fund at-home care services.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans and their spouses may be eligible for benefits through Veterans Affairs programs for caregivers. You may qualify for an Aid and Attendance Pension if you've been an active duty service member and meet the program requirements.

Tax Benefits and Family Caregiver Jobs

The government offers some individuals tax assistance. It's important to know whether you qualify for this type of assistance.

Some Florida caregivers are eligible for certain tax benefits that can provide substantial savings. These include:

• The Child Tax Credit
• The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
• Medical and Dental Tax Deductions

Paid for Family Caregiving from Medicaid

If you're caring for a family member, you may have wondered about getting paid for family caregiving from Medicaid. You're providing a valuable service for your loved one and shouldn't miss out on any available benefits or tax credits.

At Aidaly, our mission focuses on empowering families and providing advice for caregivers to help them get the existing benefits they deserve.

Contact Aidaly or check your eligibility to get trained and paid for your work as a family caregiver today.