My 85-year-old father is blind and is living with my family. He is a legal U.S. resident; however he isn't qualified for help from the government. Do we have options?

Maulino1: It's absolutely true that an 85 year-old blind legal US citizen doesn't qualify for home care services. If they don't have a "change of condition" in the last two weeks they can't get any govt help. If they leave the house for lunch they don't qualify. It's all about meeting govt criteria for "homebound", they're very strict. It's very sad but necessary because there isn't enough money to pay for a first-class health-care system. Obama's solution to just print more dollar bills and give it to everyone is ridiculous. There's no gold to back up the dollar bills. Obama needs to put more money into Medicare and Medicaid BUT not give it to EVERYONE! That will bankrupt America for sure.

Kim: Open a new thread or discussion to ask your question. I would tell you to see about the 4 things I listed above. Contact your area agency on aging to help you wade through all the details. There is an AAonA in just about every county in the US; often they have seminars to help you understand everything. I also write a blog about moving my mom to assisted living and then into a nursing home. Look at my profile on this site for a link. It's strictly non-commercial, just to aid people in our position.

Maulino: If your dad is a legal resident, why does he not qualify for government assistance? If he's worked, he's paid social security, he should get that.

My 85 year old dad found out 7 months ago both kidneys stop working, he had to quit his job is on dialysis three days a week. He was already receiving his social security retirement ($1600 a month) he has gone through all his savings and now needs help with prescription, light bills, gas,mortgage. I am caring for him now and work part time but I cant pay mine and his bills. Need some advice on any programs he could apply for. This is all new to me, us. Please help

Without more details there is little specific advice anyone can give you. What sort of help does he need at home? Do YOU need help to care for him at home? Are you trying to retain his financial assets for burial? For inheritance? If you provide more details, you'll likely get more information. Just in case though, here are some scenarios that might help you:
1. is he a veteran? he might qualify for some assistance program or a space in a Veterans home. See your county or regional VA, Veterans of Foreign Wars or social services at the local hospital. They should be able to point you to the right contact.
2. Your taxes: you should be able to claim him as a dependent if you provide more than 50% of his living expenses. This won't help immediately but you should see a benefit in your next tax return. An accountant can tell you if it's possible to amend past returns to include him as a dependent which might lower your tax liability.
3. Medicaide: I am assuming that he either makes too much per month or has too many cash assets. If he has money in the bank and is hospitalized or needs a nursing home he must "spend down" all his assets. Once his assets are consumed, he should qualify for medicaide. In some states he may have a burial fund or pre-pay for funeral expenses that will not be counted as an asset.
4. Payment to care for blind family at home: some states pay a small stipend to caregivers who tend to disabled family or spouses at home. You'll have to see your state department of health and welfare for those details.
Good luck