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Can Family Members Get Paid for Caregiving in New Hampshire?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Family members can get paid for caregiving in New Hampshire in several ways. Medicaid waivers provide financial assistance for low-income seniors who want to pay their family members for care. These programs have income, asset and health requirements. The Veterans Administration has programs that seniors in New Hampshire can use to self-direct their own care options as well.
Medicaid Waivers Can Pay Family Members for Care
General Medicaid coverage doesn’t provide funding for family home caregivers, but some residents may qualify for one or more Home and Community Based waiver programs. These may provide money that beneficiaries can use to pay their family members for care. The Choices for Independence waiver program funds health and personal care services for low-income residents who require a nursing home level of care but can remain safely in the community with community and family assistance. Self-directed care is one of the highlights of the program, as it allows beneficiaries to choose their own care providers, which can include members of their own families. Covered services include:
- Homemaking
- Home health aide
- Respite
- Adult family care
To qualify for Choices for Independence, beneficiaries must meet the financial requirements for New Hampshire Medicaid as well as the clinical requirements determined by the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services. Applications for Medicaid waivers are handled by NHCarePath services providers, such as local Aging and Disability Resource Centers and online through ServiceLink. Since this waiver has limited availability, not all qualified applicants receive assistance immediately.
Other Options for Paying Family Caregivers in New Hampshire
Veterans in New Hampshire can pay their family members for care in several ways. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers provides qualified family caregivers with a monthly stipend, financial assistance for travel, education and training and mental health counseling. To qualify, the family caregiver must live with the veteran full-time, and the veteran must have a disability rating of 70% or higher. Veterans can also use funds from their pensions and Aid & Attendance benefits to pay family members for care.
New Hampshire residents who don’t qualify for government programs may be able to pay family members for care by other means. Some long-term care insurance policies allow beneficiaries to use their claims to pay for care in any way they choose. Many companies offer employer-sponsored caregiving leave for employees who need to provide temporary care for their family members. Families with enough financial resources may choose to pay one of their family members for care rather than a third-party provider.