What does Caregiver Services not do?
How does the registry make referrals?
What is In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
How do I get In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
Which Union do I contact for Caregivers?
What other services does Caregiver Services offer?
Who are caregivers?
What is an informal or family caregiver?
Who are professional caregivers?
What are homemaker services?
What is respite care?
What does Senior Information and Assistance do?
What is a Caregiver Registry?
What does care-management services do?
I have a domestic (caregiver, housekeeper) working in my home. What taxes do I need to pay?
What taxes does my employee pay?
How are the employee's payroll taxes paid?
How often do I need to pay these taxes?
My caregiver (domestic worker) says she's an independent contractor and doesn't want taxes withheld. Can I do that?
What about worker's compensation and disability insurance?
Am I required to hire U.S. citizens?
What may happen if I don't pay the taxes?
What does Caregiver Services do?
Caregiver Services is a program of the Area 1 Agency on Aging, a local non-profit group that plans, coordinates, funds and advocates for seniors, disabled adults and their caregivers. We offer registry, information and support services to caregivers in Humboldt County.
What does Caregiver Services not do?
We do not employ caregivers. We do our best to help caregivers find work; however, listing with our registry is not a guarantee of employment. We are not a county agency and we are not IHSS. We work closely with the county, but if you have questions about IHSS, call (707) 476-2100. We are not part of any union. If you have questions about the Union, call California United Homecare Workers at 1-800-359-0780.
How does the registry make referrals?
When people looking for caregivers call our registry, we ask them questions and then try to make matches based on:
The kind of assistance that they need, personal or non-personal care
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) caregiver hours ?or?
How much they will pay
Where they live
Who they would prefer to help them (such as a female or male caregiver)
When they need the caregiver to assist them (such as in the morning or evening)
When the matches have been made, we mail a list of possible caregivers and their phone numbers to the client or their contact person. The client may call the caregiver to discuss the job. If both parties are interested, the client will invite any caregiver on the list to come for an interview. During the interview, both the caregiver and client should make sure that they are comfortable with each other, the type of work to be done and the payment arrangement. It is best to make a contract that both of you sign before a caregiver begins work.
Caregiver Services can provide information about how to write a contract, create a task schedule, what responsibilities and rights caregivers and clients have and other care giving issues.
What is In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
IHSS is a county program operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Social Services Branch that provides non-medical, caregiving services to eligible, low-income adults who are aged, blind or who have a disability. These services are to help those individuals live at home by assisting with daily tasks such as cleaning, meal preparation, bathing and dressing.
How do I get In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?
To arrange for IHSS as a family caregiver or recipient, call IHSS at (707) 476-2100.
Which Union do I contact for Caregivers?
If you have questions about the Union, call California United Homecare Workers at 1-800-359-0780.
What other services does Caregiver Services offer?
Information: We are here to answer your questions about being a caregiver, meeting your employer's needs or resolving disputes. We also have information on upcoming classes, support groups and local services for you and your client.
Lending library: We have books, videos and information on health issues that you can check out. This service is by appointment only. So give us a call, if you want to stop by. (707) 443-4363 or toll free (877) 977-1604
Who are caregivers?
Caregivers are those individuals who assist disabled people or older adults who need help with the everyday tasks of living. Caregivers are all types of people facing all types of problems such as: a husband who has suffered a stroke; a wife with Parkinson's disease; a mother-in-law with cancer; a grandfather with Alzheimer's disease; a son with traumatic brain injury from a car accident; a child with MS; a friend with AIDS.
What is an informal or family caregiver?
Informal caregivers and family caregivers are those unpaid individuals such as family members, friends, neighbors and volunteers who provide help or arrange for help. These individuals can be primary or secondary caregivers, full time or part time, and can live with the person being cared for, live separately or be a long-distant caregiver.
Who are professional caregivers?
Professional caregivers are those individuals who are either employed by an agency or privately hired by people in need of assistance with their activities of daily living.
What are homemaker services?
Homemaker services often include services such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, bathing, dressing, light housework, transportation and protective supervision. Homemaker services are provided over a long period of time and generally do not include any type of medical assistance.
What is respite care?
Respite care is short-term care in the home that relieves the spouse, relative or friend who regularly cares for someone.
What does Senior Information and Assistance do?
Senior Information and Assistance is a free information and referral service for seniors, caregivers and service providers and acts as the single point entry for senior services.
What is a Caregiver Registry?
A Caregiver Registry provides a listing of trained caregivers who may be privately hired or available for IHSS hours.
What does care-management services do?
Care-management services are able to assess a person's needs and create a plan to provide the needed services. Care-management is available through different agencies and programs depending on the assessed needs and eligibility for services.
I have a domestic (caregiver, housekeeper) working in my home. What taxes do I need to pay?
In general, the Internal Revenue Service requires payroll tax filings by a domestic employer who pays a household employee more than $1500* cash wages in a calendar year. These payroll tax obligations may include:
Social Security & Medicare Taxes (7.65% of Gross Wages)
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) (0.8% of Gross Wages or less in Most Circumstances)
State unemployment and disability insurance taxes levied on the employer
Advance payment of the earned income credit for eligible employees
(* Wage test is $1300 for 2001 & 2002, $1200 for 2000, $1100 for 1998 & 1999, years 1995 - 1997 were $1000)
What taxes does my employee pay?
Your employee contributes to or pays:
Social Security & Medicare Taxes (7.65% of Gross Wages Collected and Remitted by Employer)
Employee Disability/Unemployment Taxes where required.
Federal/State Income Taxes
How are the employee's payroll taxes paid?
You, the employer, are required to collect the employee's social security and Medicare taxes. Should you fail to collect, you remain responsible to remit these taxes for the employee. Deducting federal income taxes and most state income taxes is optional. If income taxes are not withheld by the employer, then the employee is required to make periodic payments of any amounts due.
How often do I need to pay these taxes?
Employers of caregivers (domestic workers) must, at a minimum, make annual payments for Social Security, Medicare and Withheld Income Tax (if applicable). Wage reporting must occur quarterly. Generally, state unemployment taxes and withheld state income taxes must be paid on a quarterly basis and Federal Unemployment is due annually. You are required to give your employee a wage and tax statement (Form W-2) no later than January 31.
My caregiver (domestic worker) says she's an independent contractor and doesn't want taxes withheld. Can I do that?
The simple answer is no. The IRS has strict guidelines to define employees and independent contractors (Refer to IRS Publication 926). Caregivers and other domestics are generally considered employees. It does not matter how the employee refers to herself or how you refer to her in an employment contract. You are obligated for all payroll tax filings and remittances.
What about worker's compensation and disability insurance?
The state regulations governing who needs to obtain worker's compensation and disability insurance vary. We recommend discussing your local regulations with a licensed insurance broker.
Worker's Compensation is protection mandated under state law for a worker and his or her dependents against injury and death occurring in the course of employment. It is not health insurance, and it is not intended to compensate for a disability other than disability caused by injury arising out of employment.
The purpose of a worker's compensation system is to provide financial and medical benefits to the victims of 'work-related' injuries and their families regardless of fault. The cost of this insurance is borne by the employer. Insurance premiums are determined by the number of employees, their annual payroll, and the type of work they do.
This insurance may be purchased through a licensed insurance broker and/or a state insurance fund. This is a policy of insurance and not a payroll tax.
Am I required to hire U.S. citizens?
You may legally hire a U.S. citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien with a valid work permit. You are required to verify your candidate's employment eligibility using Form I-9.
What may happen if I don't pay the taxes?
Failure to report domestic wages paid after January 1, 1995 will compromise the validity of your personal income tax return. Additionally, there is no statue of limitations on the failure to report and remit federal payroll taxes. You are most likely to be "caught" when a former employee files for unemployment or social security benefits. Employers are generally required to pay back taxes, penalties and interest charges, and usually professional fees for an accountant and/or attorney.
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