Section 20.21. Eligibility for Program benefits

(a) General. The services and benefits of the Program are available to the primary caregiver of a functionally dependent older adult relative, or other adult relative suffering from a chronic dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease, who lives in the same residence and whose household income does not exceed 380% of the poverty level. In addition to a thorough family assessment, these services include benefits counseling, caregiver education and financial benefits. The financial benefits are available, as provided under § § 20.41—20.45 (relating to reimbursement benefits), to reimburse caregivers for expenses directly related to the provision of care. Subject to the availability of appropriated funds allocated to a planning and service area, these benefits are available on a cost-sharing basis up to specified maximum amount according to the caregiver family’s household income and documented expenditures.

(b) Criteria for the determination of eligibility. For a caregiver to be determined eligible for the services and benefits available under this chapter, the following criteria shall be met:

(1) The caregiver shall be the primary caregiver as defined under § 20.2 (relating to definitions).

(2) The primary caregiver and the carereceiver shall be relatives and live together in the same residence as defined under § 20.2.

(3) The caregiver family (carereceiver included) shall cooperate with the area agency on aging in the completion of a comprehensive assessment of the caregiver, the carereceiver and the caregiving environment as required under § 20.32 (relating to assessment and care management).

(4) The carereceiver shall be a functionally dependent older adult or other adult with a chronic dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease as diagnosed under § 20.32.

(5) The household income of the caregiver family, as provided under § 20.23 (relating to income), may not exceed 380% of the poverty level.