SENATOR GOLDEN INTRODUCES THE CAREGIVER’S ASSISTANCE ACT

Posted by Martin J. Golden on Thursday, May 21st, 2009

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), is announcing that legislation he introduced, S. 1574 the "Caregiver’s Assistance Act", designed to help save New Yorkers who care for an aging loved one, has been passed by the State Senate Committee on Investigatons.

The bill would provide a refundable credit to qualified taxpayers who provide informal, unpaid care to senior family members. Furthermore, it will allow a pro-rated basic or enhanced STAR exemption that would apply if the senior owned the home to a residence in which a senior lives with taxpayer.

The purpose of this legislation is to provide not only a recognition of what has been termed the "love-equity" provided by these care givers for their senior relatives, but also to provide an incentive for more families to provide the care, and to encourage families currently providing the care to continue to do so for longer periods.