This was on my e-mail today from Policy Digest - www.caregivers.org.
On January 28, 2009, Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) reintroduced the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act (H.R. 769). The bill would allow unpaid family caregivers to claim Social Security benefits as if they had worked for a wage (according to a specified formula) during each month they were engaged for at least 80 hours in providing care to a dependent relative, for up to five years of such service. The bill was introduced but not voted upon in the 110th Congress.
I am doing what you all advised me to do - delegating. Vickie or someone - would you please look into this and keep an eye on it for us? I will DEFINITELY lobby for this when I go to DC next month.
Don't have time to do a lot of research today on this, but did find that it has been referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R.769 Title: To amend title II of the Social Security Act to credit prospectively individuals serving as caregivers of dependent relatives with deemed wages for up to five years of such service. Sponsor: Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] (introduced 1/28/2009) Cosponsors (None) Latest Major Action: 1/28/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
I really hope this passes. My DH and I had to quit good paying jobs when he got sick. Thank goodness we were good stewards with what we had and made good decisions financially. We are not rich by any means but we are able to survive.
I just sent information on this bill to my representative and asked him to support, or preferably cosponsor, the bill. If everyone did this we would contact a lot of congressmen/women. Is Rep. Lowey a Republican or Democrat? If you congressman is the opposite it would be good chance to encourage bi-partisan activity.
Wow, wouldn't that have been wonderful all those years I cared for my husband? Well, it is too late for us, but I sure will be supporting any efforts to have a bill like this passed.
I certainly hope it passes. Don't know if I would be eligible as I quit work in 1997 and Claude had a stroke in 1999 and then diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2003. I've been a 24/7 caregiver since then.
carosi, I think it would be set up to give the caregiver credit toward social security as if you had worked - not actually pay you a wage. Anything to help the caregivers would be a blessing.! I've written to my congressman.
Considering what we 24/7 caregivers, even part-timers, are $aving the $ystem$ they ought to JUMP at the chance to reward us with several quarters of credit. I have worked solidly since Dec. '03 caring for my parents, and my DH, all of the 24/7.