The Obama administration is proposing new rules to provide first-ever minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home care workers who assist people with disabilities.
Under a federal law dating to 1974, those who provide at-home assistance are classified as “companions,” much like baby sitters, and do not have the same rights as other workers.
Now the U.S. Department of Labor is proposing a new rule to dramatically change the landscape for the nation’s 1.79 million in-home care providers.
Under a plan announced Thursday at the White House, minimum wage and overtime laws would apply to all in-home care workers employed through staffing agencies and other third parties. In addition, protections would be extended to individuals employed by families if they are providing skilled medical care.
“These men and women, they work their tails off,” President Barack Obama said. “They deserve to be treated fairly.”
Currently, nearly 40 percent of the nation’s in-home care workers rely on government assistance like Medicaid and food stamps because of low pay in the field.
While some states already extend minimum wage or overtime protections to home care workers, 29 states do not. Federal officials say that workers across the country will benefit from having the Labor Department backing them up.
Once the rule is published in the Federal Register next week, there will be a 60-day public comment period before any changes can take effect.
Treat them faily with an open discussion and not like these several days before elections. What assures anything? Yes, currently, nearly 40 percent of the nation’s in-home care workers rely on government assistance like Medicaid and food stamps because of low pay in the field, but the majority do not see their bebenefits come up. Here in Florida still waiting for Health Care. Who will come first my 50 bithday or health care?
To whom it may concern , yes tat is true 40 percent of homecare worker do rely on the government so please help to increase income for all the homecare worker because it very critical to have a love one that is
disable like my daughter she hear, read , write, she,wear diapers, she has to have all of her food cut up in
smallpieces, she suffers from epilsey seizures, cerebral palsay, scolosis,she is 35 years old and has the
mind of a 2 year old she is a level one so please let me know I will be a fighter for her. god bless
I am the mother of a son with Autism and I have also worked as a caregiver, in a school setting. I am so happy that the government is looking into this. So many caregivers have to work two jobs to support their families and good quality providers have to change professions, in order to support their families. The only problem I see is that there needs to be an increase in funding, because higher wages can cause necessary cuts in order function under the budget.
I have taken care of my total care son, for 41 years. I know first hand how difficult it is. I never get a day off and I pray every day I can continue to care for him. Some days I can barely walk up our stairs, to put myself to bed, I’m so tired. Everything I have to do for myself, I have to do for him. When he was little, it was much easier. Now he is a big man, and I’m getting older. In stead of my body getting stronger, from all the years of lifting, it is breaking down. I’m glad someone is finally considering how hard all of us work, as caretakers!
I agree that disability caregivers should be compensated better. The job entails various duties in which you receive minimum training and is very often frowned upon by others. I also believe that there should be a career path for workers who want to upgrade to nursing since medication dispension is part of the fundamental duties. I hope that changes will be made asap.