CAREGIVER RESOURCES
Financial & Legal Tools for Family Caregivers
Being a family caregiver involves more than day-to-day care. Financial and legal decisions can be easier to navigate with trusted information and practical resources.
Find guidance on becoming a paid caregiver, organizing essential documents, planning ahead, accessing benefits, and reducing everyday costs.
Find what you need
FINANCIAL SUPPORT & SAVINGS
LEGAL DOCUMENTS & PLANNING
MONEY MATTERS
Financial support & savings
Understand assistance programs and practical ways to manage the financial side of caregiving.
01 Can I get paid to be a family caregiver?
Several resources and programs may help compensate you for providing care, depending on where you live and your loved one’s circumstances.
- State programs: Some state Medicaid programs pay eligible family caregivers. Contact your state Medicaid office or local Area Agency on Aging to learn what’s available.
- Long-term care insurance: Review your loved one’s policy to see whether caregiver services are covered.
- Veteran benefits: VA programs may offer support or compensation to eligible family caregivers.
02 Accessing government benefits
Government programs may help cover essential expenses for caregivers and the people they support. Start with these trusted resources:
03 Food assistance
Meal delivery services and food assistance programs can provide support when preparing or delivering meals becomes difficult.
04 Discount programs for medications
Prescription medications can be expensive. Assistance programs and price-comparison services may help lower out-of-pocket costs.
05 Taxes
Caregiving may affect taxes. The IRS provides questions and answers to help family caregivers understand potential tax considerations.
PREPARE WITH CONFIDENCE
Legal documents & planning
Learn which documents matter, how to prepare for important decisions, and when legal guidance may be useful.
06 Essential legal & financial documents
Organizing important documents helps ensure decisions can be made according to your loved one’s needs and wishes.
- Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to make certain financial and legal decisions on another person’s behalf.
- Health Care Proxy: Designates someone to make medical decisions if your loved one cannot do so.
- Living Will: Records wishes about medical treatment and end-of-life care.
- Financial Statements: Keep relevant records of assets, debts, income, and financial accounts together.
07 Planning for the future
Discussing your loved one’s preferences and organizing the right documents now can help prevent confusion and protect their wishes later.
- Advance directives: Such documents may include living wills and health care proxies that describe medical preferences and identify decision-makers.
- Estate planning: Wills and trusts should be reviewed so they reflect current wishes and provide instructions for distributing assets.
08 Consulting an elder law attorney
An elder law attorney can help with legal questions and planning. Consider asking:
- What documents are necessary for my loved one’s situation?
- How can I ensure their wishes are legally documented?
- What are the potential tax implications of caregiving?
09 Glossary of financial terms
Clear definitions can make conversations about caregiving finances and legal planning easier.
- Power of Attorney: Legal authority to act on another person’s behalf.
- Advance Directive: A legal document describing medical treatment preferences.
- Estate Planning: Preparing for how assets will be managed and distributed after death.
Understanding your financial and legal responsibilities can make caregiving more manageable. Use these resources to plan ahead, ask questions, and find the support that fits your family’s situation.
KEEP EXPLORING
Additional financial & legal tools
Related resources and webinars to help you make informed decisions about caregiving.
