Ask Mike - Can I get paid to look after my Dad

Dear Moved to Oregon,
Thanks for writing to me about wanting to be paid for assisting your Dad in Oregon. Several people from different states have asked this question in one form or another on the Ask Mike section of the PAS Center website. Here are some previous letters:

• She wants to get paid
• Curious in Kansas
• Wants to help sister
• Cares for son in Ohio
• Going to Arizona
• Son as provider
• Going to Illinois

While these letters and responses share a lot of similarities, they also include many different issues. They should be useful to you in terms of rounding out your understanding.

In addition to referring you to the information, above, let me also address your question: the direct answer to your question is "maybe". Oregon definitely does allow family members to be paid assistants. It will depend on the program for which your Dad's eligible and possibly what types of services he ends up needing. You can use the PAS Center website to find out about programs Oregon offers, eligibility rules and application procedures. In particular, you can find contact information for the Oregon Medicaid program and other agencies that may be of assistance, as well as checking out the State’s Medicaid Waivers.

On the PAS Center website go to Contact Info and Descriptions for Medicaid Waivers and on the following map select Oregon to check out possible programs if your Dad is not already receiving services and needs to apply. Contact information is also available if you have questions and you can ask about providing services to your Dad.

Also look at Agencies Related to PAS. After selecting Oregon, click on "Medicaid Agency" to get contact information you can use to ask a variety of questions, obtain information about programs, eligibility, application procedures and to ask if you can get paid.

I hope all this helps!

Mike Oxford