By Farah Siddiqi
Ohio News Connection
New bipartisan bills in the Ohio Legislature would provide a $2,000 tax credit to working Ohioans who care for family members at home.
The goal is to ease the financial burden for the state’s estimated 1.5 million family caregivers, many of whom juggle jobs and caregiving without compensation.
Jenny Carlson, state director of AARP Ohio, said the credit would offer real relief.
“Many Ohio caregivers are balancing caregiver responsibilities with work and are paying for care expenses out of their own pockets,” Carlson said. “Averaging between $7,200 and about $14,000 a year, depending upon the acuity and level of need of their loved one.”
AARP reports Ohio caregivers provide $21 billion in unpaid care annually, often preventing the need for costly nursing home care funded by taxpayers.
Carlson said the legislation, House Bill 279 and Senate Bill 205, has support from both business and women’s advocacy groups, and she argued helping caregivers stay employed is not only a family issue but an economic one.
“Within the employer community, 32% of the individuals take a leave of absence, 16% turn down promotions and 16% stop working altogether,” Carlson said. “Supporting our family caregiver tax credit is just a way to continue to help support the workforce.”
The bill sponsors, state Rep. Adam Matthews, R-Lebanon, and state Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, hope the credit will be included in the state budget by July 1. Advocates say Ohio’s pilot program could become a model for the nation.
Pictured at top: Nearly 70% of working caregivers in Ohio struggle to balance job duties and family responsibilities, according to AARP. (Adobe Stock)