Take Care of Caregivers!

Advocate for CaregiversToday!

Family caregivers serve as an invisible, unpaid workforce in Michigan’s health care system, providing an estimated 1.1 billion hours of voluntary care to their loved ones worth approximately $19.6 billion per year.

Providing care for a loved one also has a financial impact. Family caregivers spend an average of $7,242 per year on expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, transportation, respite care, and more. A new bill in the Michigan House of Representatives, HB 5214, would offer financial relief to family caregivers by establishing a Caregivers Tax Credit.

This tax credit would benefit Michiganders like Shalyn of Ionia who cares for her 88 year old mother with Dementia. Shalyn shared how difficult and isolating it can be taking care of someone on your own. It would provide some much needed relief for Kathy of Alpena who left her job to take care of her husband who has Parkinsons. Kathy has struggled to keep her family afloat after losing 80% of their income, and at 49, she can’t tap her retirement savings without a penalty

Join us in backing HB 5214 and urging legislators to support caregivers today! You can use the form below to email them right now.

RECIPIENTS:

Your State Representative, State Senator, and Governor Whitmer

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Your Message

Subject Please support financial relief for family caregivers!

Dear Legislator,

Message

I am writing today to urge you to House Bill 5214 which would provide financial relief for unpaid family caregivers by establishing a Caregiver Tax Credit.

There are 1.6 million people in Michigan alone who take care of a loved one, providing an estimated 1.1 billion hours of unpaid labor worth approximately $19.6 billion per year. These family caregivers spend an average of $7,242 each year out of pocket on caregiving expenses like home modifications, transportation, medical equipment, respite care, and so much more.

Many of these family caregivers have to reduce their hours at work in order to provide necessary care or may already be living on a fixed income. These increased caregiving costs pose a significant financial burden.

A Caregiver Tax Credit would offer some financial relief to unpaid family caregivers by providing a credit of up to $2,000 for eligible expenses made while caring for a loved one.

Please support this HB 5214, it’s time for Michigan to take care of our caregivers.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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