The Pennsylvania Department of Aging recently announced a bill sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback and signed into law by Gov. Wolf that will expand eligibility and allow flexibility in the administration of Pennsylvania’s Caregiver Support Program.

The program provides support to caregivers — including caregivers of older adults, grandparents raising grandchildren, and older caregivers of adults living with a disability — with the purpose of alleviating stress and promoting well-being to help sustain a healthy ongoing caregiving relationship.

House Bill 464 — now Act 20 of 2021 — was one of PDA’s legislative priorities for the 2021-22 legislative session. Act 20 aligns the Family Caregiver Support Act with the federal National Family CSP of the Older Americans Act. The new law:

  • Clarifies eligibility criteria for program participants.
  • Removes a statutory spending limit on the cost of monthly care plans, allowing PDA to adjust those limits across the program, as necessary. This spending limit had not been increased since 1993.
  • Eliminates a $300 aggregate average requirement for all CSP care plans, which will allow Area Agencies on Aging to build plans that are more customized and person-centered to the needs of each individual caregiver and better support them in their caregiving role.
  • Removes the program’s $2,000 lifetime limit on home modification reimbursement, allowing PDA to adjust this limit as necessary. This change allows for better alignment with the costs associated with obtaining home modifications and assistive devices in present-day markets and is more beneficial to caregivers.

Through the CSP, caregivers have the opportunity to receive vital supports and services, such as care management, benefits counseling, caregiver education, and training. Income-eligible caregivers may also receive financial reimbursement of approved, caregiving-related expenses, including respite and consumable supplies.

The new law goes into effect on Aug. 10.

“Expanding the protections provided under the Family Caregiver Support Act, and removing maximum reimbursement rates for out-of-pocket expenses, home modifications, and assistive device expenses, is necessary,” Boback said.

“The enactment of this bill enables Pennsylvania to further assist those across the commonwealth who need it most, like our grandparents who have been tasked with raising their grandchildren.”

Those eligible for the program also include Pennsylvanians of any age caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. According to current PDA data, 26% of caregivers are providing care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s Caregiver Support Program at aging.pa.gov/aging-services/caregiver-support.

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