Family caregivers often have questions and concerns when it comes to the legal and financial issues that arise over the course of caregiving. How do I cover the cost of care? Are there programs to assist with paying for care? What are the legal issues that impact my role as a caregiver? What do I do if the person I'm caring for isn't able to make decisions?
Local
For information and resources in local communities, contact the Family Caregiver Support Program. They can put you in touch with a resource specialist who will help you find the local legal resources to meet your needs.
State
Advanced Directives
State resources for finding information and advance directives forms.
Alzheimer's Family Caregiver Support Program
Funds are available in each county for qualified individuals to provide temporary caregiver respite care and purchase goods and services needed to help care for someone with irreversible dementia.
Disability Benefit Specialist Program
State resource for learning about and finding a Disability Benefit Specialist.
Elder Benefit Specialist Program
State resource for learning about and finding an Elderly Benefit Specialist.
Elder Law & Advocacy Center
Operated by the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., the Elder Law & Advocacy Center supports the Elder Benefit Specialists in Wisconsin and provides information on elder law issues.
FoodShare Wisconsin
Helps low-income families and individuals buy nutritious food. Apply on-line or ask at the ADRC.
Homestead Credit
State resource providing information on the Homestead Credit.
Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center
Operated by the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., the Guardianship Support Center provides information about guardianship, protective placement, advanced directives, and other issues that impact people who are helping to make decisions for an incapacitated adult.
Wisconsin Spousal Impoverishment Protections
State information regarding income and asset protection for married couples when one spouse is in a nursing home or participating in a community waiver program and the other spouse is not in a nursing home or other medical institution.
Wispact
A private, nonprofit organization that administers pooled and community Special Needs Trusts for people with disabilities.
National
Social Security Administration
Information on Social Security and other federal income maintenance programs.
Special Needs Alliance
National organization comprised of attorneys who can help answer questions about public benefits, speicaal needs trusts, guardianships/conservatorships, planning for disabilities and special education issues.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Pays benefits to people who can't work because they have a medical condition or disability.
WISER Caregiver
Caregiving page on WISER (Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement) with downloadable information and links to other caregiving sites.