Respite care is temporary relief for the primary caregiver. A break so you can rest, see your own doctor, handle other responsibilities, or just have a few hours that belong to you. It can happen in your home or at a facility. GUIDE covers up to $2,625 per benefit year, the year resets July 1, and unused funding doesn't carry over.

Up to $2,625 per benefit year.

"Up to" means that's the most you can spend, not that the amount changes from family to family. Every family has the same $2,625 available.

July 1. That's the start of a new benefit year and a new $2,625.

Unused respite funding does not carry over. Whatever your family hasn't spent by June 30 is gone when the new benefit year begins. It doesn't roll into next year, and it can't be cashed out.

This is worth planning around. Families often wait for a crisis to use respite, then find they've left most of the year's funding unused. Talk with your tendercare Guide early about how to spread it across the year.

You'll be matched with a provider that the program pays directly. You don't pay out of pocket and you don't wait to get money back.

As you use respite through the year, the program covers it as you go, up to $2,625. No forms to submit, no reimbursement paperwork.

Two situations:

Those additional hours are yours to pay for.

Before respite starts, confirm two things directly with the respite provider: their hourly rate, and how many hours $2,625 will cover at that rate. Your tendercare Guide can help you work that out, but the agreement on hours and rate is between you and the provider. Getting it clear up front is what keeps a surprise bill from showing up later.

Your tendercare Guide will help you find one.

If your family already has someone in mind, a home care agency you trust or an aide you've worked with before, tell your Guide and we'll look at whether they can be set up through the program.

Does GUIDE cost my family anything?

How to enroll in the GUIDE Program