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OHCC Consumer/Employer Tools

Brochures

• Oregon Home Care Commission
• Registry and Referral System
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Russian
• STEPS to Success with your Homecare Worker

Forms

• Visit the Employer Tools section of the STEPS Website for sample forms and checklists.

Manuals

• Employer Guide
• Safety Manual for Employers

Training

• STEPS to Success with Your Homecare Worker
  STEPS is a statewide training program that teaches employer skills to people who receive in-home services through eligible programs. Centers for Independent Living provide STEPS training opportunities for free through workshops, one-on-one or guide-on-the-side training events.

Consumer/Employer types and tax information

Consumer/Employers of Homecare Workers fall into one of two categories:

• Consumer/Employers receive Medicaid or OPI services through the Department of Human Services (DHS), Seniors and People with Disabilities Division. All applicable tax withholdings are automatically withheld from the homecare workers provider check and sent to the appropriate agency.
  
  
• Private Pay Consumer/Employers pay privately for in-home care from a Homecare Worker. If you are a Consumer/Employer, you may be responsible for paying state employment taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and you may need to complete other documents.
  
  Please review the publications below and contact the agencies for further information:
  

  • Publication 926 - Household Employer's Tax Guide details when an employer is required to pay taxes for household employees. Contact the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) for more information:
    

    • Visit their Website at http://www.irs.gov
    • Call toll-free at 1-800-829-1040
      
  • Worksource Oregon - Domestic Employers details when and how domestic (household) employers are required to pay unemployment insurance. Contact the Oregon Employment Department for more information:
    
    • Visit their Website at http://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/TAX/index.shtml
    • Call 503-947-1488
    • E-mail: taxinfo@emp.state.or.us

Other Employer tools/resources

The following links provide valuable information and additional resources.

• Independent Choices Program
  The Independent Choices program is a Medicaid program administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services. Independent Choices is a flexible program that lets you take charge of your own needs by providing cash benefits for in-home services. The monthly benefit allows you to hire your own service providers and pay them directly.
   
  
• In-Home Care Agencies
  In-Home Care Agencies are licensed through DHS Health Services. Their licenses only allow them to provide service to clients residing within one hour of their business office. Some In-Home Care Agencies may further limit their service areas.
   
  
• LifeSpan Respite
  What is respite care? - Respite care is relief for families who are caring for someone with special needs: disabilities, chronic or terminal illness, aging or problems such as abuse or neglect. Respite care is short-term and temporary, lasting from a few hours to a month. Respite can take place once in a while, or be regularly scheduled care such as an after-school program.