Assisted living direct care workers are among those eligible to receive hardship payments from a $1.2 million caregiver relief program in New Jersey.
Eligible caregivers can apply to receive one-time $1,000 payments through a caregiver relief fund program for enduring hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Camden County Board of Commissioners announced.
Among qualifying individuals are those who work as caregivers in assisted living communities, nursing homes, home health and other positions providing hands-on, direct care to older adults, people with disabilities and children.
The allocation is part of $55 million in American Rescue Plan federal funds the county has made available to other hard-hit sectors within the community.
“This pandemic has rocked every industry to its core, including the field of caregiving, which is among the most thankless of jobs,” Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell said in a statement. “Our hope is that these funds will provide some relief and support for those working incredibly important and difficult jobs.”
Eligibility also is limited to caregivers living in or providing services to a resident of Camden County and who provided at least 500 hours of caregiving from March 1, 2020, through March 7, 2022. Applications opened on Tuesday and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cherry Hill Township Mayor Susan Shin-Angulo said her township has the largest concentration of long-term care facilities in the county and will have a critical mass of employees eligible for the new program.
“Cherry Hill and our long-term care facilities were filled with courageous employees who were tireless advocates for their patients over the last two years, and this initiative is the least we can do to show our appreciation,” she said.
