Income

• Buying Guide - A Buyer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance

  Find the best long-term care insurance policy for your needs. Understand their costs, benefits, extra perks, and the common loopholes to avoid.

• Buying Guide - A Buyer's Guide to Reverse Mortgages

  This free buyer's guide to reverse mortgages will help you understand how reverse mortgages work and what to look for in a reverse mortgage.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Cupboards Bare? Rising Food Prices Affect Seniors

  The rising cost of food is tough for many seniors, but here are some ways you can help.

• Blog Post - Easy Money: It's Not Too Late!

  Although the April 15th tax deadline has come and gone, your parents may still be eligible for this year's rebate check -- even if they didn't file a return.

• Blog Post - Easy Money

  If your parents earned $3,000 last year, they're entitled to this year's tax rebate. Even if your parents haven't filed taxes in years because they're retired, they should file this year to ensure they receive their rebate.

• Blog Post - Five Tips for Keeping the Sandwich Together

  Five tips to help sandwich generation members ease the stress of caring for aging parents in their homes.

• Blog Post - Going For Broke? Seniors Turn to Newer Loans To Avoid Cash Crunch

  Seniors hurt by the tough economy are raising money using reverse mortgages, life insurance settlements and 401k loans. In exchange for up-front cash, your parent may lose future equity or investment gains, so help them make smart money choices.

• Blog Post - Social Security Benefits: Getting Carded?

  Social Security recipients will soon be able to get their monthly benefits loaded onto a pre-paid debit card. If your parents are getting their checks via direct deposit, they should probably stick with that system and not switch over to the debit cards because of the fees and hassles that come with the Direct Express debit card. But for people who wait for the postman to deliver their monthly check, the new debit card may be a better option.

• Blog Post - Tough Times Can Turn Seniors into Bargain Hunters

  The tough economy is forcing more seniors than ever into bankruptcy, and leading many older people to find bargains available only to them.

• Blog Post - Reverse Mortgages: Dragged Down By The Mortgage Mess?

  Included in the new mortgage bill are overhauls to the rules governing reverse mortgages. But are the new rules enough to calm worried seniors?

Questions & Answers

• Question - What is maximum income a widow can make to receive her husband's Social Security?

  As a widow, can I collect my spouse's Social Security though I have an income? If you're at retirement age, you can collect his full Social Security.

• Question - If you receive money from an estate in trust for another individual, who pays the income tax on it?

  If you receive money to put in someone else's trust, who pays the income tax? Do you have to pay income tax on this money that's not for your use?

• Question - How does an in-home caregiver get paid by the state?

  A caregiver or caretaker can sometimes be paid by the state or Medicaid instead of under the table. It's called being a certified home care provider.

• Question - If I move my mother in with me will it affect her Medicare/Medicaid status?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How much will Medicare cost me?

  How much will Medicare cost? Medicare part A probably won't cost you anything, whereas the cost of part B will be based on your income.

• Question - Is there any situation that allows you to obtain a income while on disability without losing your benefit that is accepted by the SSA?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How should I handle my mother's finances with regard to her pension income and paying for her nursing home care?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What documents does Medicaid ask for from an applicant?

  Medicaid asks applicants about all income and assets of any type, as well as support from others and any transfers of property within five years.

• Question - Can SSI/Medicare/Medical/Hud Section 8 look for repayments of benefits paid to date, when I am no longer eligible for benefits going forward?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can my father's house be taken to pay for long term care?

  A house transferred out of an elder's name can't be taken by Medicaid but might disqualify the elder from Medicaid nursing home coverage.

• Question - Is a Medicaid annuity a scam?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will a lawsuit settlement affect my mother's disability eligibility?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How do you get financial help if you are between 55 and 60 years old?

  A few government financial benefits are available to someone under age 60.

• Question - Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long-term care?

  Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long term care? Medicare will cover 100 days in a nursing home if certain qualifications are met.

• Question - What kind of living arrangements are available for those under 65, but disabled, without a lot of money?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What financial help is available for caregivers who had to quit their jobs?

  Does financial help for caregivers exist when they give up a job to help? Not from the government, but other kinds of financial help are available.

• Question - Is there any software available to help track and organize yearly costs for a guardian taking care of a parent?

  The biggest challenge in tracking guardianship expenses may be to focus on the categories to include.

• Question - What are annuities and do they make sense for someone over 80?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Have there been any new VA widow's pension laws passed since 2007 that would require my mom to pay back what she's already gotten?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is CPP, OAS or Veteran's Disability Pension classed as income to be used in calculations for 5% to be paid to the Guardian and how ofter is this 5% paid?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do we handle paying taxes on my deceased mother's estate?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How much income is too much for a senior to receive in...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Financial Aid for Caregivers?

  I am caring for my parents and need to be home with them day to day. Is there any financial aid that I can get since I will have lost my income?

• Question - What financial assistance is available for caregivers?

  Medicaid can pay for in-home care and might even pay a home-bound senior directly, who can then pay a familymember.

• Question - My mother is 58 and moving in with us. She is suffering...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What do I need to apply for Medicaid for my mother, for whom I'm guardian?

  What do I need to do to apply for Medicaid for my parent? I've spent down her assets, but I'm not sure what else I need to do to apply for Medicaid.

• Question - What short-term in-house care options when caregivers need to go out of town?

  Some guidance for those seeking temporary in-house care for their aging parent.

• Question - Are there financial benefits available to a primary caregiver?

  A caregiver who becomes a certified home care aide could receive small benefits from Medicaid, or be paid from long-term care insurance.

• Question - How do you apply for the Cash for Caregiving program through...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there any inexpensive insurance for the disabled?

  Medicare Part A and Part B, Medicaid, and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage may all be available to someone on permanent disability.

• Question - Does an inheritance affect Medicare eligibility?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can a person get paid for caring for their parents in their parents' home?

  A family caregiver can get paid to take of parents by the Cash and Counseling or similar state program for low income seniors.

• Question - Recently, after one month in the hospital with end stage...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does my mother have to sign a home lien for short-term nursing home care?

  Medicare or Medicaid can cover all or most of short-term nursing home costs, but a nursing home might want a home lien from a private-paying patient.

• Question - Does a living trust protect money from Medicaid consideration?

  Will putting money in a living trust protect my parent's money and help her get Medicaid? No, Medicaid considers money in a living trust an asset.

• Question - Where do I get financial help for my 88 year old mother?

  A senior with low income and assets can qualify for SSI benefits of $600 to $800 per month, Medicaid and a very low-cost prescription drug plan.

• Question - Do my parents need to get divorced to qualify for Medicaid?

  Should my parents get a divorce so that Dad can get Medicaid? It's possible that they won't need a divorce for him to qualify for Medicaid.

• Question - Does Medicaid help pay for a hearing aid?

  Does Medicaid cover a hearing aid? In most cases, Medicaid pays for some or all of a hearing aid. Ask your doctor about your Medicaid's coverage.

• Question - Can I take classes and become certified for home care for my mother?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is there a program in Iowa that will pay you for taking care of a family member?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can I be held responsible for my mother's medical bills?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Am I eligible for disability?

  If you're under 65 and can't do substantial paid work, you may get Social Security disability, SSI and Medicaid, plus Medicare after two years.

• Question - Is there such a thing as an irrevocable maintenance trust fund?

  Irrevocable trusts are forever. But how the trust property is distributed is a matter of form and format.

• Question - I want to care for both of my aging parents. Mother has...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What is my first step in administering my mother's will?

  The first step is usually the hardest: Finding and organizing the property your mothe owned at her death.

• Question - What rights do I have as a healthcare agent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - is it a good idea to put your IRA in a revocable living trust?

  Should I put my IRA in a revocable trust? There are good reasons to put an IRA in a revocable living trust. For one, a revocable trust avoids probate.

• Question - How do I set up a real estate trust?

  You may be able to set up a simple living trust on your own; other types of trusts may require some guidance from a legal expert.

• Question - Are there programs in Texas to help the elderly with the electric bills?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How should my mother decide when to file for Social Security?

  Is it best to file for Social Security benefits early, at age 62, if a parent needs money or wait until 65 or 67 to file for Social Security benefits?

• Question - Does Medicare cover children?

  Medicare does not cover medical care for children, but Medicaid and related programs do cover care for children in low-income families.

• Question - What do I need to know before I sign a nursing home contract?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - As a caregiver is there any kind of aid or tax breaks I can...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Any suggestions for talking to my father, who has Alzheimer's, about his finances?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What could be wrong with my mother-in-law who makes irrational decisions and wets herself, yet the hospital says she's competent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I reflect my mother's Medicaid coverage and nuring home costs on her tax form and is she eligible for the rebate?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there a time limit on making a revocable trust before entering a nursing home?

  A revocable trust does not protect assets from consideration by Medicaid regarding eligibility for nursing home coverage.

• Question - Can a Wisconsin resident disinherit a spouse?

  If a will does not mention a surviving spouse, the law will likely look at the document carefully -- and make some assumptions giving the survivor a share.

• Question - How does Medicaid handle dementia patients who are unable to make financial decisions?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - Since my parents own property in several states, how will their estate be administered?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What are the risks with reverse mortgages?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there anything I can do if I've been excluded from a trust?

  Children can be excluded from their parents' estate plans, but it usually must be verified as an intentional move.

• Question - Where can I get financial assistance for monthly expenses we...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Will my SSI and Medicare benefits change when I reach full retirement age?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What help is available to pay for prescription drugs?

  Can your parent get financial help to pay for prescription drugs? Does Medicare cover drugs, or are there other ways to get help paying for prescriptions?

• Question - How do I help remedy a sibling conflict about our dad's care?

  At a family meeting, one member was "beaten up" by 4 others....

News

• News - Almost 2 Million U.S. Vets Lack Health Insurance

  TUESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 2 million...

• News - Researchers Spot Link Between Heart Disease, Income

  MONDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A new study shows...

• News - Minorities, Poor Have Tougher Time Monitoring Diabetes

  FRIDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News) -- Minority and low...

• News - Give and Be Happy

  THURSDAY, March 20 (HealthDay News) -- Money can buy...

• News - While Hospice Care Is Growing, Not All Have Access

  FRIDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- More than one...

• News - Health Insurance Premiums Skyrocket

  TUESDAY, April 29 (HealthDay News) -- Employer-based...

• News - Hypertension Takes Huge Toll in Developing Countries

  THURSDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly 80 percent...

• News - Less Money Means More Hurting

  THURSDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Not having money hurts...

• News - 25 Million Americans Are 'Underinsured'

  TUESDAY, June 10 (HealthDay News) -- The number of...

• News - Education, Income Affect Heart Attack Survival Rates

  WEDNESDAY, June 25 (HealthDay News) -- Being well-off...