(Photo courtesy of Ohio News Connection/Adobe Stock)

Farah Siddiqi

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 pointed out. “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 noted 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 outlined. “Supporting our family caregiver tax credit is just a way to continue to help support the workforce.”

The bill sponsors, Rep. Adam Matthews, R-Lebanon, and Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester, hope the credit will be included in the state budget by July 1. Advocates said Ohio’s pilot program could become a model for the nation.