Government Programs to Help Seniors

Senior Bene t Programs That Can Help in These In ationary Times

Legal Advice

by DON DRAKE CONNELLY LAW OFFICES, LTD.

“Despite what we are hearing from our political leaders, inflation continues to eat away at the budgets of those on fixed incomes,” stated professional fiduciary and certified elder law Attorney RJ Connelly III. “While there are no easy answers on how to address these problems, what we do know is that many seniors could find some relief through a multitude of government programs that are under-utilized by this age group. A couple of examples include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), where it is estimated that 14 million adults over the age of 60 qualify for assistance and nearly 45% of seniors may qualify for the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy drug program.”

“Aside from cutting back on unnecessary expenses, which many seniors have already done, retirees or those near retirement should look to existing government programs to possibly qualify to receive assistance and reduce the anxiety many older Americans feel living on a fixed income,” said Attorney Connelly. “The National Council on Aging (NCOA) works with thousands of national and local agencies to provide tools, resources, advocacy, and best practices for every aging American to have health and financial security. In fact, the NCOA has an online BenefitsCheckUp tool that could help find assistance for those who deserve it.”

The Online Benefits Check Up

If you complete the benefits check-up online, NCOA will send a confidential report to your mailing address listing the help available to you and how to apply for it. In fact, since 2001 this program has helped millions of older adults receive help paying for medicine, food, utilities, and more. There are more than 2,000 benefits programs in the check-up system, including those in categories such as, food and nutrition, health care and medication, housing and utilities, income, in-home care and aging in place, disability services, skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care environments and more

“The online BenefitsCheckUp site helps older individuals find federal and state assistance programs for which they can qualify,” said Attorney Connelly. “This website, developed by the NCOA, is newly revamped and permits error corrections and the addition of information if answers need to be

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SAFE HOME

Holistic Approach

A holistic approach should be taken when exploring fall prevention. Staying active through physical outlets such as yoga and Tai Chi is strongly recommended. Such ac- tivities can help increase balance and in turn reduce the risk of falls.

Regularly reviewing your medications with your local pharmacist or physician is a great way to be aware of side effects that may cause a loss of bal- revised. Once completed, the online Individualized Eligibility Results report can be saved in a PDF format to email to yourself, your elder law attorney, or share and discuss with a trusted family member who can help obtain these benefits.”

Sharing the Information

Now this question, why is it a smart move to provide this eligibility information to your elder law or estate planning attorney? “Well, suppose you already receive disability benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other programs,” stated Attorney Connelly. “For those already receiving assistance, especially SSI, adding other government assistance programs could result in unintended and negative consequences that can render an individual ineligible for benefits they already receive. Making your attorney aware of this can help you stay safe and protect very important benefits that may be difficult to get back if they are lost.”

Educating Seniors About These Benefits

For many seniors, just a few hundred dollars in monthly assistance could make a world of difference. Sadly, many do not know how to access these programs, and some are reluctant to seek help for any number of reasons.

“Participation rates in government assistance programs are at an all-time low, with somewhere around six of ten eligible seniors participating,” stated Attorney Connelly.

“That means that 40 percent of seniors could live more comfortably by taking advantage of these programs. Many older adults lack the awareness that these benefits exist, and if they do, the application process for many programs can be cumbersome and extremely complex. Then, there is a perceived stigma about receiving government assistance and other misconceptions that contribute to lower participation rates.” ance, dizziness, or fatigue. These fall prevention strategies, when combined with a safe home environment, can greatly improve the success of aging in place.

To reduce stress and live your best life with more resources at your disposal, explore the NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp website and learn what programs are available to help you. They can make the difference between thriving or just surviving.

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by CATHERINE TAYLOR