One of the big controversy concerning the benefit was whether family caregivers who prefer not to use the home care should be entitled to cash benefit. While there was a strong call for cash benefit and the German LTCI does provide cash benefit, there was also a strong opposition against it particularly from women citizen groups. They feared that women who will have to shoulder the heaviest burden of care giving may further be demanded under the cash benefit. Also there were concerns over the potential abuse and moral risks.

After a deliberate debate, Japan decided not to provide cash benefit to family care givers. However the argument in favor of it is still lingering.