by Patricia A. Coldiron

Created on: April 08, 2010

“Caregivers provide care or assistance, either in their home, or in the recipient’s home, to a family member who has a physical or mental disability, is chronically ill, frail, or at the end of life,” according to Canadian Policy Research Networks. Some caregivers are paid, while others are not.

 Caregivers in Ontario are receiving grants that allow them to care for their elderly family member, without jeopardizing their own financial situations.

 Home Modification

If you have an elderly parent with a disability or impairment, who lives with you in order to receive caregiving assistance, you may be able to apply on behalf of your parent, for funding of up to $15,000 for home modifications. You will need to supply proof that you own the home, and proof of residency for your parent.

 Your parent must be a permanent resident in Ontario, and have a significant ongoing or recurrent impairment or disability that is anticipated to last for one year or more. In addition, the impairment must hinder his mobility, and make it difficult for him to take care of his personal care needs, and participate in daily living activities.

Before applying for the Home Modification Program, your parent should have made reasonable efforts to secure any public or private funding, through programs such as the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Disabled Persons, which is a federal government program offered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Due to the large number of applications that the program receives, not all modification requests can be accommodated. Funding approval will be given based on priority criteria, and completing the Applicant Assessment form will help identify those applicants who have the greatest need of assistance.

 Caregiver Auto Benefit

Caregivers of elderly family members may be eligible for caregiver benefits under Ontario’s automobile insurance legislation, if they have auto insurance, and are injured in an auto accident, and can’t perform your caregiver duties. Under this legislation, you must be living with the person who needs your care, be the main caregiver, and you cannot be receiving any caregiver income at the time of the auto accident.

This benefit reimburses you for caregiver expenses that you’ve paid for your family member, as a result of the accident. If you qualify, you’ll receive $250 per week for the first family member, and $50 a week for others in the home that you cared for at the time of your injury.

You may be able to receive benefits for 104 weeks while you recover from your injuries, and if you are totally unable to carry on normal activities, you may receive benefits beyond the 104 weeks. Consult with your auto insurer to determine what benefits you will receive.

Before you can begin receiving caregiver benefits, your auto insurer will need a completed Disability Certificate (OCF-3) from a qualified medical professional that states the cause and extent of your injuries, and an estimate of the time that your treatment and disability will last. Your auto insurer will pay for the expense of the certificate.

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