| |
Elderly Assistance
and Public Benefits
There are many public benefits available for elderly assistance, both national, state, and often local. Many of these will provide temporary financial help. You will be familiar with some, but you may not be aware of how many more programs could be available at your state and local level. Local organizations in your town can help with elderly issues. Where to begin? You can always start by contacting your local senior center. Or, you may be already dealing with a health care provider or medical social worker because of current elderly problems with health. Be sure to explain in detail all of the needs you anticipate to this valuable contact person. She may have all kinds of information to help you with, after understanding your specific needs. Also contact your church. There are often staff or volunteers who assist with elderly issues. We are listing several elderly assistance organizations below, and you can also visit our
Links
for much more information. These elderly assistance programs help with the basics for food, medical, housing, temporary financial help, and in many other areas. Some of them involve an application process, sometimes complicated, so you or your elderly loved one may need help with that.
Elderly assistance programs usually require preparing your personal and financial information in advance. When you make an appointment to apply for benefits and elderly services, they will notify you of what documents you will need to bring. And make sure you ask! Here are some common items you may be asked for:
___Two forms of ID, including drivers license or state ID card.
___Birth certificate.
___Marriage license.
___Legal change of name documents.
___Spouse’s death certificate.
___Social Security card.
___Veteran’s information.
___If employed, proof of employment including pay stubs.
___Other social services you receive, i.e. Food Stamps.
___One to three months’ of certain utility bills.
___Previous year’s tax forms.
___Proof of monthly income, and from where.
___Current balances in checking and savings accounts.
___One to three months of statements for bank accounts.
___All balances for IRA, pension, other retirement accounts.
___Other investment information.
___List and documentation of all assets.
Many of these elderly assistance organizations have national, state, even local offices. It is always best, of course, to deal with the office in your state. The way states administrate programs can differ. Here are some general resources:
Social Security.
As a primary part of elderly assistance, most elderly people and their families are familiar with Social Security benefits. Starting at age 62, you are eligible to receive monthly income based on you or your spouse’s work history (whichever amount in higher), having paid the Social Security retirement tax for at least 10 years. Sometimes benefits can be paid to other family members. There are many details to understanding and calculating Social Security benefits. Call 1-800-772-1213, or visit their web site at
www.ssa.gov.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
This elderly assistance program is available to those over age 65; disabled and blind may also qualify. It pays monthly benefits. You may be able to receive both Social Security and SSI. See Social Security contacts above.
Medicare
This national health insurance program is provides elderly assistance to those over age 65. In some cases, it can assist younger people who have disabilities. There are several “Parts” to Medicare. Elderly who receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits will automatically receive Part A and Part B. The other Parts are optional. The requirements and details of these Plans, especially the optionals, can be complicated. It is best to ask for professional advice. Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, or visit their web site at
www.medicare.gov.
Here is an overall guideline:- Part A -- Hospital care, home health care, limited nursing home care, hospice care.
- Part B -- Doctors’ services, outpatient hospital care, other medical care not covered under Part A.
- Part C -- Option Plan. This is also known as “Medicare Advantage.” It helps with medical care and prescription costs, through a program such as an HMO.
- Part D – Optional Plan. Helps pay for prescription drugs.
- Medicare Part D Extra Help Program – This is a special program of elderly assistance (and others) for those with limited incomes and assets. It helps pay for the premiums, co-pays, and other costs associated with Part D. This benefit may be automatic, if you are already enrolled in SSI (Supplemental Security Income), Medicaid, or Medicare Savings. Call Medicare or Social Security at the contact information above.
Medicare Savings Program
This program has two parts, and offers additional medical elderly assistance to those who qualify. It helps with out-of-pocket expenses of Medicare for those with limited incomes and assets. Contact the Medicare office above for details. - QMB – Qualified Medicare Beneficiary. Helps with premiums, co-insurance, deductibles, if you qualify for Medicare Part A or Part B.
- SLMB – Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary. If your income is too high for QMB, check if you may qualify for this plan. This pays only for Medicare Part B monthly premiums.
Medicaid
This is a federal program, largely for elderly assistance, run by the individual state. So requirements will vary. This is for those with limited income and assets, and includes those with disabilities. Even if receiving Medicare, you may qualify for Medicaid for areas that Medicare cannot cover. Some services, depending on the state, can include nursing home care, home health care, eye care and glasses, and transportation. Call for Medicaid services at 1-800-638-6833, or visit the
Medicaid web site.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
This is a national elderly assistance program run by the state, offering individual counseling and help to those on Medicare, and to their families. You can participate in telephone calls, personal meetings, public presentations, etc. For more information or to find a SHIP counselor near you, call Medicare at Call Medicare 1-800- 633-4227, or visit the web site at
www.shiptalk.org.
Veteran’s assistance
If you or your loved one was a veteran, you may qualify for many
additional elderly assistance benefits, including health care, disability, pharmacy, burial benefits, life insurance. Visit the web site at
www.va.gov.
Or call 1-800-827-1000.
Food Stamps
This is a valuable program for elderly assistance, and is through the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). As of 2008 it has been re-named “SNAP” -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Individual states may use a different name. Affording food is one of the basic elderly issues. This program can help you with temporary financial help for food. If you qualify, you will be given a special debit care for buying groceries. Most grocery stores participate, as well as Meals on Wheels and some senior centers. You must qualify to participate, and your resources may not have to include your home, car, or some retirement accounts (IRA, Keogh, 401k). This is run by the state, so check the State listings in blue government section of your phone book. Or visit the web site at
www.fns.usda.gov/snap.
Legal Aid
There are Legal Aid Societies in all states that provide elderly
assistance. They are further broken down by city, county, or region. Legal Aid is staffed by professional, licensed attorneys and paralegals to specifically help those with lower incomes. Legal Aid can help in a variety of matters such as simply explaining your responsibilities and rights under current law about certain issues. Other areas include helping with debt, landlords, utilities, elderly abuse, being sued, employment
issues. Since these are local offices, check your phone book, call your Attorney General’s office, or ask your senior center.
Free Tax Help
This import elderly assistance service is also provided on a local basis, and may be available from a variety of sources. It is always smart to start by inquiring with your senior center or church. Your City Hall may provide information as well. Some states and counties have organizations such as Community Action Councils. Also contact the local office United Way. If you visit the main United Way web site, you can enter your zip code and be given the office nearest you.Your county may also have a type of Community Action service, providing free meals, clothing banks, counseling, and various types of temporary financial help. Call your county (or state) to find out, or visit their web site.
See www.liveunited.org,
or call 703-836-7112.
Return from Elderly Assistance and Public Benefits,
back to Home
|
