Frequently Asked Questions

Clara is a platform that connects qualified and vetted caregivers with patients in need of assistance. Our mission is to provide high-quality, personalized care to individuals, ensuring their comfort and well-being.

Caregivers are matched with patients based on their skills, experience, and patient needs. Our platform uses an algorithm and the input of our care advisors to suggest suitable matches.

Every Clara patient and their family receive a dedicated, US-based Care Advisor from Clara's team of in-house experts. Care Advisors are available by phone, email and text seven days a week to ensure you're well taken care of.

Unlike agencies that charge upwards of 50% more than their caregiver takes home in wages, Clara only charges a low 15% fee. This leads to savings of 20-30% for families, and better pay for caregivers. The average Clara customer can save over $10k over the course of a year.

Clara's caregiving marketplace is currently available in the San Francisco Bay Area. Clara's senior care payroll offering is available across the United States. We're growing quickly, so let us know if you'd like Clara to come to your city or town next!

To become a caregiver, you need to complete our online application, provide necessary documentation, and undergo a background check. Once approved, you'll be able to start connecting with patients.

We require caregivers to have relevant certifications (e.g., CNA, HHA), or at least two years of home health experience, and a passion for providing compassionate care. Additional qualifications may be required depending on the specific needs of our patients.

All caregivers must pass a comprehensive background check, which includes criminal records, employment history, and reference verification.

Yes, one of the benefits of our platform is the flexibility it offers. Caregivers can choose assignments that fit their availability and preferences.

Caregivers are paid through the Clara platform. Payments are processed weekly and deposited directly into linked bank accounts. Caregivers can track their earnings and payment history in their profile.

We provide ongoing support, including a dedicated support team, and a community of fellow caregivers. We're here to help you succeed.

There are no upfront fees to join Clara. We charge patients, not caregivers, a small percentage of overall payroll.

If you encounter any issues, our support team is available 7 days a week to assist you. We prioritize the safety and satisfaction of both caregivers and patients, and we will work to resolve any concerns promptly.

Yes, if you have specific skills or certifications (e.g., dementia care, post-stroke care), you can indicate these in your profile. This helps match you with patients who require your specialized expertise.

We value your feedback and suggestions. You can contact our support team directly or use the feedback feature in your caregiver dashboard.

A household employee is someone you hire to perform services in your home, such as a nanny, housekeeper, gardener, or in our case, a senior care professional. Defining someone as a household (AKA domestic) employee is the fact that you control what work is done and how it is done, distinguishing them from independent contractors like plumbers or electricians. All paid home care professionals are legally considered household employees if they earn $1,000 or more in a quarter, or $2,700 or more in a calendar year (as of 2024).

Domestic employee payroll involves calculating and distributing wages to household employees such as home care professionals, withholding taxes, and complying with employment laws. It includes managing tax filings and ensuring adherence to labor standards.

Registering as an employer is crucial for compliance with tax laws and regulations. In addition registering as an employer and providing workers' compensation insurance protects you from liability in case of on-the-job injury, and entitles your care pros to unemployment benefits when your period of employment ends.

Your care pro needs to complete Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) and Form W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Certificate). Form I-9 verifies their legal right to work in the U.S., and Form W-4 determines tax withholdings. Clara works directly with your care pros to collect W-4 information, so there’s no hassle for you.

Due to federal law, Clara does not currently verify I-9 information on your behalf. However our team will walk you through the process step by step to ensure compliance.

Specialized payroll providers like Clara understand the unique requirements of household employment, which is actually slightly different and more complicated than managing payroll and filing taxes for a business. By using Clara you'll get peace of mind that all the unique federal, state and local quirks of senior care taxes and payroll are accounted for.

Clara is flexible enough to satisfy whatever payroll cycles you and your care pro prefer. Payroll runs according to the schedule you set, which can be weekly or bi-weekly.

At the close of each payroll period you will receive a notification to review the hours your care pro(s) worked during that time, and their hourly rate. Following your approval payment will be automatically transferred from your linked bank account to your care pro’s.

Clara currently supports a weekly payday frequency, with others to be added in the near future.

Additionally, Clara will soon offer “on-demand pay” for your care pros at no charge to you, allowing your care pros the option of withdrawing funds they have already earned prior to their next payday.

Clara partners with industry-leading payroll services and uses automated systems to ensure accuracy in payroll calculations and tax filings. However, in the unlikely event of an error, Clara will provide support to correct it.

Clara is on a mission to make home care more affordable. Compared to agencies that charge 30-50% markups, Clara charges a low 15% fee included in the total transferred each pay cycle. Schedule a call with one of our team of care consultants for more details on pricing and payment, and to find out if you're eligible for exclusive discounted pricing.

Clara calculates the correct amount of taxes to withhold from each paycheck and remits (pays) these taxes to the appropriate federal and state agencies on your behalf as required by law every 3 months (quarterly).

Clara provides detailed reports and near real-time tracking of payroll and taxes, allowing you to see how much you owe in taxes at any time.

Yes, Clara generates and distributes paystubs to all care pros, detailing their wages, taxes withheld, and any other deductions.

If you already have an EIN, Clara can use your existing number for payroll and tax filings.

Clara specializes in senior care professional employment, offering tailored services, expert advice, and compliance support specifically for household employers.

Yes, you can cancel Clara's service at any time. It's designed to be flexible to accommodate changes in your caregiving needs.