care taker benefits and tax issues
I’m a retired factory worker and handicapped veteran. When my leg was amputated my son who is 35 left school to take care of me and my 96 year old father. My son was working on his PHD in brain research. I’m paying him but don’t know the rules? Would he be considered an employee in which case do I need to pay social security for him? I’m also paying a healthcare premium at a local private clinic for him. I guess I really am not sure to handle this situation financially. His only job is taking care of us and I worry about his future.
Terry Says
Whew — first, I’m so sorry for this situation. You could probably get away with just calling the money a gift to your son. But I have a feeling that you might be missing out on some veteran’s benefits or even Medicaid benefits that could provide these services for you — and free up your son to get a job and contribute to his own Social Security.
Please contact your state’s department on aging (every state has one) and also Veteran’s affairs, to make sure you are getting all the help you are entitle to — including SNAP benefits (food stamps), transportation to doctors offices, home health care on a weekly or daily basis. You served your country so you are definitely entitled to these benefits.
And I don’t know your income, or how you are paying “health insurance premiums at a private clinic??” for him. But if he is not earning a salary, he could likely get benefits under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) at Healthcare.gov, for free or a very low premium. It’s worth checking out.
