How to Afford Family Caregiving, Part 3: Offset Some Costs of Caregiving

Being a family caregiver can be financially stressful. In addition to taking on the costs of caring for a close friend or family member, caregiving may make it difficult to work at a full time job. Caregivers may struggle to stay employed and be financially stable. This tip sheet is Part 3 of a series with information to help family caregivers with the financial side of caregiving.

For information about getting paid family leave or unpaid family leave, visit How to Afford Family Caregiving, Part 1.
To learn about finding flexible employment, visit How to Afford Family Caregiving, Part 2.

Ways to offset some costs of caregiving:

If you care for another family member’s children, or the children of a close family friend (Kinship Care), you may qualify for benefits and resources through Washington’s Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). Childcare and financial help are two possible benefits, and a Kinship Navigator can tell you which benefits you are eligible for and help you apply.

• This applies even if you are an informal kinship caregiver who is not a legal guardian or if you have not been appointed as a child’s foster parent.

Benefits: Local and state agencies can help with benefits you or the person you care for may qualify for, like financial support, services, or lower cost options.

• Call Community Living Connections at 1-844-348-5464 to ask for assistance as an unpaid family caregiver.
• 211 Washington (click on link OR phone 2-1-1) can also help you connect with state and local agencies.

Tax credits that refund some expenses of paying someone to care for a dependent family member while you work or are looking for work:

• The Federal Job and Dependent Care Credit. Topic no. 602, Child and Dependent Care Credit-IRS
• Washington State Working Families Tax Credit

Caring for a veteran

Veterans Affairs offers different programs which support family members caring for a veteran. Some offer training and a wide range of supports such as peer mentor support (a caregiver who has ‘been there’ and can help you navigate caregiving), one-on-one or group coaching sessions, resource referral, and respite care. Learn about the different benefits at US Department of Veterans Affairs VA Caregiver Program.

One program offered through Department of Social and Health Services, and funded by the Veterans Administration, is Veteran Directed Care. This program may allow the family caregiver to be paid for caregiving work.

Getting Paid for your work as a family caregiver: If the family member or friend you care for qualifies, this may be an option for you.

Department of Social and Health Services (DHSS) -includes Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA):  To be a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member or Friend

• The person needing care needs to be eligible for Apple Health (Medicaid) Long Term Services and Supports.
  • The person needing care MUST be age 18 or older
  • The family member who wants to be a paid caregiver CANNOT be the spouse of the person needing care.

An exception to this is if the person needing care is using Veteran Directed Home Services.

To find out if the family member or friend is eligible:

• The person needing care can apply online: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/ and select that they are applying for “In-Home Long Term Care Services.”
• They can also apply by contacting their local Home & Community Services office.
• For more detailed information about the application and eligibility criteria for clients see this booklet Washington Apple Health and Long-Term Services and Supports for Adults.

To apply to be a paid caregiver for a family member or friend (Individual Provider) you can complete the CDWA application to begin the hiring process at any time. More information on the CDWA hiring process: see this Individual Provider Hiring Guide.

Get financial or volunteer assistance for other people to do caregiving tasks:

• If you care for an adult who qualifies for Apple Health (Medicaid) Long-Term Services and Supports, they may receive covered services in their home from a paid care worker. Eligibility and application information can be found in the Washington Apple Health and Long-Term Services and Supports handbook, read online or download.  
• If your adult family member does not qualify for Apple Health LTSS, call Community Living Connections at 1-844-348-5464 to ask for assistance as an unpaid family caregiver, and ask to find out if you or your family member qualifies for Tailored Support for Older Adults or MAC, which offer in-home care benefits with higher income limits than “regular” Apple Health (Medicaid).

Respite: WA State has both state-funded and volunteer programs that help unpaid family caregivers take short breaks from caregiving tasks. Short breaks are called “respite” or “respite care”. Check these resources on the Lifespan Respite WA website:

Lifespan Respite Voucher Program

Children & Youth: Low-cost or Free Respite Care

Adults and Seniors: Low-cost or Free Respite Care

Finding Respite in Washington State