Caregivers are the unsung heroes of our communities, nurturing our children and enabling families to thrive. Yet, many caregivers are underpaid, lack access to medical insurance, and face an impossible choice: work more and lose state-funded health benefits, or earn less and struggle to make ends meet.

At the same time, families in childcare deserts are desperate for help but find it too expensive or complicated to hire legally. This creates a vicious cycle where caregivers can’t sustain their work and families can’t access the care they need.

We believe in a better way—a world where caregivers are recognized as a unique class of workers, with exemptions and protections that ensure fair pay and access to benefits, while making it easier for families to hire them legally. 

The Problem

Caregivers face systemic challenges that discourage them from staying in the profession: 

- Underpaid and Overlooked: Many caregivers earn wages that barely cover basic living expenses, let alone allow them to save for their future. 

- Health Benefits Dilemma: If caregivers earn "too much," they lose access to state-funded health benefits, leaving them without affordable options for medical care. 

- Families Face Barriers: Hiring legally is often too expensive or complicated for families, particularly those who only need part-time help or employ one caregiver. 

This broken system discourages caregivers from staying in the field and makes it harder for families to find quality care, especially in childcare deserts where options are already limited. 

Our Solution

We propose a legislative framework that addresses these challenges head-on: 

1. Caregiver-Specific Exemptions: Recognize caregivers as a unique worker class with exemptions that allow them to retain state-funded health benefits, even if their income increases. 

2. Tax Relief for Families: Provide meaningful tax credits or deductions for families hiring one or two caregivers, making legal employment affordable. 

3. Simplified Compliance for Small Employers: Exempt families hiring fewer than two employees from certain employer obligations, such as unemployment insurance or complex payroll taxes, while still ensuring caregivers receive fair wages. 

4. Universal Caregiver Protections: Guarantee caregivers access to baseline benefits, including Social Security contributions, unemployment, and retirement savings, even if employed part-time. 

5. Expand Access to Affordable Healthcare: Establish programs or subsidies to ensure caregivers can access affordable health insurance, regardless of income. 

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about fairness—it’s about strengthening families, uplifting caregivers, and solving the childcare crisis in communities across the nation. 

- For Families: Easier legal hiring means more access to care, less worry about tax complications, and better options for their children. 

- For Caregivers: Fair pay, access to health benefits, and protections bring dignity to the profession and make caregiving a sustainable career. 

- For Communities: Revitalized childcare deserts mean parents can rejoin the workforce, local economies can grow, and children can thrive with quality care. 

What We’re Asking For

We urge Congress and state legislatures to: 

- Recognize caregivers as a unique worker class with tailored exemptions. 

- Pass tax incentives and payroll simplifications for families hiring caregivers. 

- Create accessible healthcare programs for caregivers that don’t penalize them for earning more. 

- Fund public awareness campaigns to educate families about legal hiring and its benefits. 

Sign the Petition

Caregivers deserve fair pay, benefits, and recognition for the critical role they play in our lives. Families deserve a system that supports them in hiring legally without unnecessary barriers. Together, we can create a world where everyone wins. 

Sign and share today to support caregivers and families alike.

 

Sign the Petition Now!