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OHCC Consumer/Employer Tools

Brochures

• Oregon Home Care Commission New!
• Registry and Referral System
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• STEPS to Success with Your Homecare Worker
• STEPS Fact Sheet New! 

Manuals

• Employer Guide
• Safety Manual for Employers

Learning Opportunities

• STEPS to Success with Your Homecare Worker
  STEPS is a free program that promotes successful working relationships between consumer-employers and homecare workers.

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.
  
  
• Domestic Employers/Private Pay Consumer/Employers pay for in-home caregivers with their own funds. These employers may be responsible for paying state unemployment insurance and other state taxes, as well as federal, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and may also need to complete other documents.
  
  

  According to the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI):
  
  The high cost of institutional care and the desire most of us share to live as independently as possible create and sustain a steady demand for in-home caregivers. At the same time, in-home caregiving can often blur the traditional lines between the home and the workplace, casual and formal employment and sometimes even the line between family member and employee.
  
  

  For more information, please review BOLI's Technical Assistance for Employers of In-Home Caregivers.

  
  Please review the publications below and contact the agencies for further information:
  
  • Publication 926 - Household Employer's Tax Guide describes when an employer is required to pay federal taxes for household employees.
    • Visit their website for more information at www.irs.gov
    • Call toll-free at 1-800-829-1040
      
  • Worksource Oregon - Domestic Employers describes when domestic employers are required to cover employees once total payroll reaches $1,000 or more in a calendar quarter, in either the current or preceding calendar year.
    
    • Visit their website for more information at 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.

• Elder Abuse and Neglect
  This the Elder Abuse and Neglect site provides information about elder abuse and what to do if you believe you or someone you know is being abused or neglected.
  
  Everyone should report abuse. We all have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
   
  
• 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.