10 Free Programs For Seniors That You May Not Know About

No matter how well our parents (and grandparents) planned for retirement, sometimes it’s just not enough.  They are always looking for ways to keep their cost of living in check, even if they have excellent health insurance coverage and long term care insurance.

In many cases, access to assistance in only a click away.  These two websites are a good place to start.

www.Govbenefits.gov – The more information you can gather the better, as far as your elderly parent's health, disability, income, wealth (as in property owned), whether a military veteran, education level and more. Go to this site and answer every question that you can. Once submitted, the site will respond with a list, details and access information for many, even scores, of beneficial government programs, supplements and/or services.

www.Benefitscheckup.org - This non-profit site will ask many of the same questions but may report added programs, details and contacts.

AgingCare.com recently posted a list of 10 government programs that can be accessed for elderly parents. I think this is a wonderful source of information on programs that people probably don’t know exist. They are:

• Medicare - it’s not just Part A Hospital and Part B medical insurance.  If your parent is considered low income, receiving only social security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10/mo in premiums.  Ask and you may find a great cost saving for your parent.  www.medicare.gov

• Social Security - SSI (supplemental security income) may be available to your parent if their social security income was earned on lower paying jobs and is their only source of income. www.ssa.gov/ssi/

• Administration on Aging (AOA) - Administers many national programs and services for elders including health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and long term care.  Check out their website at www.aoa.gov

• Department of Veteran Affairs - there are several types and levels of compensation programs available for veterans with service related disabilities.  Contact the VA for more information www.va.gov

• HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act of 1996 provides everyone with privacy of their medical records.  Unless your parent has signed a form designating you as approved to discuss their medical issues with their physician, their physician CANNOT discuss your parent’s medical condition even if you prove you are a family member.  These forms are available at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

• U.S. Department of Justice - If your parent has a disability, especially limiting mobility, learn about the Americans with Disability Act administered by the US Department of Justice.  The ADA website provides access to a lot of useful information.  Go to www.ada.gov.

• Food and Drug Administration - Chances are, your parents are taking multiple medications with multiple side effects.  In order to avoid polypharmacy (dangerous drug interactions) go to the Food and Drug Administration website to access their database with important information on every drug approved by the agency, www.fda.gov.

• Your U.S. Senator- .  Every senator has staff that can both advise and advocate for benefits or services for your parent. Check www.senate.gov to find the senators for your parents’ state and then click the senators’ tab.

• Your Congressional Representative- Most representatives have staff specialists on elder affairs, programs and services and can provide both information and advocacy.  Check  www.house.gov  to find the representatives for your parents’ state and district.  

• Area Agency on Aging- This federally mandated agency is in every city or county.  The agency is staffed by professionals who are well versed in every elder program and service available in your parent’s area, including funding sources.  They can assist with applications to various programs.  Check your phone book for the local office or try www.n4a.org/ (National Association of Area Agencies on Aging).

The NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) has an excellent booklet with a list of State Insurance Departments, Agencies on Aging and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs.  For a free copy of this booklet call Jennifer at 631-262-7167 or email me at Jennifer.Lenihan@ltcfp.net.  For more information visit my website at www.LTCJennifer.com.