Claire is a senior caregiver that severely twisted her ankle while going down the stairs on the job. She went to urgent care and was told she had a serious sprain and needed time to heal. She would need to stay off her feet as much as possible for the next three weeks. The clerk at the doctor’s office explained that she should file a worker’s compensation claim to ensure the urgent care bills were paid. Claire also learned workers compensation insurance policies also generally cover payments made to employees for lost wages while they are out of work.

Topics: nanny workers compensation insurance, senior care, workers compensation household employees, agency, senior, CPA

The Importance of Household Employer Workers Compensation Insurance

There’s no doubt about it: privately employing a senior caregiver comes with its own set of logistical challenges. In addition to payroll and taxes, the ins and outs of worker’s compensation and benefits can be overwhelming for seniors and the family members coordinating their care. If you don’t understand your legal obligations as a household employer, things can get messy. Consider this case study of a senior caregiver that was injured on the job.

Topics: nanny, workers compensation household employees, agency, senior, CPA

Is it risky to hire a nanny without workers' compensation? Workers' compensation insurance protects workers from the medical expenses and lost wages associated with a workplace accident. We generally don't think a nanny's job as particularly  risky, but accidents happen and the consequences can be severe. Many states require household employers to obtain workers' compensation insurance, and in all cases HWS recommends this as a best practice.

Topics: workers compensation household employees

Do you hire, manage and issue payroll to a beneficiary’s caregiver(s) in your capacity as a trustee? If so it is important to understand the legal and tax obligations this type of employment creates for both the trust and you personally.

Topics: Special Needs Trust, caregiver payroll, worker misclassification, household payroll, workers compensation household employees

Topics: elder care, employment authorization, workers compensation household employees, Hiring Elder care

Hiring a nanny to care for children, or a caregiver for an elderly family member can be very expensive. These employees often work long hours and your need for their services is generally perpetual. The high cost of employing household workers often makes it tempting for families not to report paid wages, since reporting carries additional financial requirements related to unemployment insurance and other benefits. However, the risks to families who do not pay their domestic employees "on the books" are considerable.

Topics: household employee taxes, household employee, household employer, household payroll tax, workers compensation household employees

Topics: workers compensation household employees

Topics: domestic workers bill of rights, workers compensation household employees