Marisol Reyes

Medicaid programs and spousal IRAs can help caregivers rebuild retirement security.

Unpaid caregiving can cost women over $295,000 in lifetime Social Security benefits.

Unpaid caregivers struggle to unlock billions in benefits seniors legally qualify for.

Most beneficiaries face tools built for insurers and agencies, not for them.

States offer Medicaid payment for family caregivers, but enrollment platforms remain fragmented.

The formula multiplies federal pay scales, locality adjustments, and tier factors to set stipends.

California's digital system speeds up caregiver payments and ensures federal compliance.

California's long-term care programs differ vastly in eligibility, coverage, and guaranteed access.

How the VA calculates caregiver stipends based on location and care tier.