Can my aging aunt claim back her frail care expenses?
Question:
My aunt stays in an old age home, where they take care of her health, at an expense to her. She stayed in the frail care section of the home for ten days, for which she paid R3 000. How does she claim this back from SARS?
She only earns interest income from her investments and she’s older than 65.
Answer:
Yes – your aunt can claim the expenses. But they must meet these requirements:
· The expenses must have been paid to a registered medical practitioner, nursing home or pharmacy
· They are not already recovered by your medical aid scheme.
You don’t specify whether your aunt has medical aid or not, but I’ll presume she doesn’t. So yes – she can claim the R3 000 she paid for the frail care, as a medical expense. She must keep any receipts or invoices that prove she received the medical care, and that she paid for it herself. You know, just in case SARS questions it…
