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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Caregivers

National

Caregiving

• How do I know if I can care for a family member with a disability?

• What devices will I need that will help me provide care?

Caregiver Stress

• How can I learn more about caregiver stress? What should I look to tell if caregiving is affecting my health or the person for which I give care?

• What can I do to prevent or relieve caregiver stress or burnout?

Caregiver Services

• How can I find caregiving services in my community?

• What services are available in my community to just help me take a break from caregiving?

Caregiver Support Groups

• How do I locate a support group?

Financial Assistance

• How will I pay for home health care and other caregiving services?

• What Federal Financial Assistance is available to hire caregivers for people with disabilities?

• Can I receive money back on my income taxes for caregiving even though I received Social Security or SSI Payments?

Financial and Estate Planning

• How do I structure a will and trust for my child with special needs?

National

Caregiving

• A: The US Department of Health and Human Services Womenshealth.gov offers a Frequently Asked Questions section that addresses Caregiver Stress, what is caregiver stress, how it can affect your health, signs of too much stress, how to prevent or relieve stress, and how to find caregiving services in the community. For more information, visit this link.

• A: Check out our NHU Guide to Searching for and Selecting a Home Health Aide

• A: Visit our NHU Community: Support Groups and Organizations: Caregivers. This section also includes links to organizations that assist caregivers.
• A: Visit our NHU Community and Internet Resources: Caregivers. This section includes links to resources for caregivers.

Financial Assistance

Q: How will I pay for home health care and other caregiving services?

• A: If the person with a disability is over 18 and under 59 they may qualify for coverage through government financial assistance programs. Contact your state and county health departments for these programs. Ask if any of the information is on the internet. Details of the programs may be available through your local library.

Q: What Federal Financial Assistance is available for caregiving for people with disabilities?

• A: If the person with a disability has skilled nurse needs, they should check with Medicare and Medicaid for coverage of a home health aide. You can view information from Medicare on the internet. See the Medicare and Home Health Care guide. If you have questions, you will need to be as informed as you can before you call. Be sure to write down all of your questions so you do not miss any while you have a representative on the phone. The Medicare hotline is 1-800-638-4227. If you use a TTY/TDD, call 1-800-820-1202. If you call this number, you will be asked to leave a message. Ask your question in detail and leave your name, address and telephone number.
• If your doctor can stipulate that a skilled nurse is required, you may be able to qualify for medicare or Medicaid coverage of a home health aide.

• If you are on Title 19, Medicaid may cover home health aide.

• The federal government through the Internal Revenue Service also allows Tax Benefits for the individual with disability or his or her parents. When you compute your income tax there are many allowable expenses that can be deducted from income provided you itemize deductions on Schedule A. Some of the deductible items may include:
• Adaptive equipment for mobility or using the telephone.
• Medical equipment.
• Installation of special adaptive equipment for the home.
• Payments to a special school.
• Tax Credit for care.
• For more information on what items you can specifically be allowed deductions, contact the "Federal Tax Information and Forms" number listed under the "Internal Revenue Service" in your telephone directory.

Financial and Estate Planning

• A: When you are faced with the inevitable time when you as parent or guardian may not be around for your child with special needs, remember although they may not be able to handle their own finances, the individual with special needs can be included in the financial plans.

  Here are some tips for financial and estate planning:

  • Select a caring person to manage your special needs trust.
  • The structure of a trust should allow the child to qualify from programs such as Title 19 or other public funds.

  For more information:

  • Visit this guide from The ARC on Future Planning: Making Financial Arrangements with a Trust by Rick Berkobien and Theresa Varnet.
  • Visit Pooled Trust Programs for People with Disabilities: A Guide for Families
  • Visit our NHU page on resources for Financial and Estate Planning

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