Yes, seniors can use Social Security retirement, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to help cover in-home care costs. The current average monthly Social Security retirement benefit is $1,907 per month, according to the Social Security Administration. Many seniors combine their social security benefits with other resources to pay for home care. This may include long-term care insurance, personal savings, pension income, or VA benefits. Understanding the different types of social security benefits and eligibility requirements can help you and your family plan to pay for home care using social security.
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Social Security won’t pay a caregiver directly, but seniors can use their benefits to pay for home care and home health services.
Social Security retirement benefits are financed by employer and employee contributions throughout the course of a person’s career. An individual’s monthly Social Security retirement benefit is based on the amount of work credits they’ve earned. The average monthly retirement benefit is currently $1,907[01]
Supplemental Security Income or SSI benefits were created for individuals with low-income, seniors, and individuals living with a disability. Adults 65 and over receive an average monthly SSI payment of $575.[02]
While Social Security recipients can use their benefits to pay for in-home care, monthly benefits aren’t generally enough to cover the full cost of services. The median cost of a home care aide is $30 per hour. A full-time home care caregiver at 40 hours each week is $5,200 per month, according to A Place for Mom’s 2023 Cost of Long-Term Care and Senior Living report.
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Yes, Social Security Disability Insurance can be used to pay for in-home care, but only individuals with a qualifying work disability are eligible to receive SSDI benefits.
Adults with a qualifying work disability who aren’t yet qualified for retirement benefits may be eligible to receive SSDI benefits. To qualify, an individual must have a permanent or long-term disability that prohibits them from returning to work or adjusting to a new position.
However, the average monthly SSDI benefit of $1,688 is not enough to cover the entire cost of a full-time in-home caregiver.[02]
Yes, Social Security payments can go toward home health care. Seniors who need home health services can use their Social Security retirement, SSI, or SSDI benefits to pay for home health care. Costs vary depending on the care a senior needs and their insurance. In many cases Medicare and/or Medicaid may cover qualified home health care costs.
Home health care differs from home care and may include the following services:
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The following list highlights the types of insurance and personal financial assets families commonly use to supplement the cost of in-home care:
If you’re ready to explore hiring an in-home caregiver for an aging parent, A Place for Mom can help. At no cost to you, our Senior Living Advisors will work to understand your loved one’s needs and offer a list of recommendations for local home care providers. Reviewing the benefits of home care may be helpful if you’re still unsure if home care is the right fit for your loved one. Our advisors can also help you explore other senior care options, like assisted living, memory care, and independent living.
Social Security Administration. (2024).Frequently asked questions.
Social Security Administration. (2024, July). Monthly statistical snapshot.
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