Eligibility: To be an eligible recipient of the Respite Voucher, both the primary family caregiver and care receiver must meet the specific criteria listed below.
Family Caregiver:
• The primary family caregiver must be unpaid. Family caregivers who receive financial compensation to care for their loved one are not eligible. Examples include, but are not limited to, payments from the Department of Social Services (foster care, adoption subsidies, kinship care) and caregivers who are employed as their loved one’s Personal Care Aid through a Medicaid Waiver.
• Age 54 and under, unless you are the biological parent of a minor care receiver.
Care Receiver:
• Not currently receiving care/support services. In order to provide relief for families with no structured assistance, caregivers of those already enrolled in government funded programs are not eligible. Examples of such programs include, but are not limited to, the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (Personal Care and/or Respite), the SC Department of Health and Human Services (Personal Care and/or Respite Services) and Community Long Term Care (CLTC), and HASCI, ID/RD, Community Supports, Children’s Medically Complex, HIV/AIDS, Community Choice, and Ventilator Dependent waivers.
• Unable to be left alone due to a disability, significant special needs, or terminal illness.
• Be no more than 59 years old, without a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia related illness.
Prioritization:
• Individuals who have not received an SCRC voucher within the past 24 months
• Individuals residing in underserved areas
• Individuals with the greatest economic need
• Individuals with limited English-speaking ability
Distribution:
• Family caregivers may receive one $500 voucher within a 12-month federal fiscal year, dependent on available funds. Subject to change based on available funding.
• Reimbursement for respite received via the voucher may take up to 60 days from the end of the month the timesheet is submitted
• All documentation/timesheets must be completed accurately before reimbursement is processed.
Usage & Expiration:
• Pay the family caregiver directly for care that he/she already provides
• Pay for a family member or friend residing in the same home/property to providing care
• Pay for care of loved one while the caregiver goes to work
• Reimburse the family caregiver for respite services which occurred before a voucher was issued
• Pay family and friends who are willing to provide respite, or are already helping, free of charge.
All vouchers expire 60 days from the approval notification date. An additional 15-day extension may be granted upon request and at the discretion of SCRC. Any unused and/or expired voucher funds will be forfeited and allocated back into the program. Any caregiver who doesn’t completely utilize a voucher may not be eligible to receive another, if additional funding becomes available.
SCRC Respite Voucher Application can be found at the link below or may be requested via phone 803.935.5027 Ext. 6 or 12, or online email: respite@screspitecolalition.org or website https://www.screspitecoalition.org
