Family Caregiver Subsidies

Programs that use federal, provincial, local and/or other funding to provide financial assistance for family members (or other persons such as neighbours) who are serving as informal primary caregivers for frail elderly individuals or, in some cases, for adults with disabilities; for grandparents caring for grandchildren; or, in some jurisdictions, for families caring for children with severe disabilities. Age and other eligibility criteria may vary by area. Assistance may be provided in the form of cash to the consumer/caregiver, vouchers which can be redeemed with approved service providers or through pro bono services donated by local service providers to a service bank for family caregivers. The objective of the program is to make it possible for primary caregivers to obtain the assistance they need in order to continue in their caregiving role which, in turn, enables the frail elderly individual or person with a disability to remain in the community.