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5 Government Programs You Can Access for Help With Your Elderly Parents
Caring for an aging parent can be both emotionally and financially challenging. But, did you know that there are scores of federal, state and even local government programs that can help you make ends meet? Access to assistance is as close as your computer, and the best way to start is by visiting the web sites below: www. Benefits. gov Gather all the information you can relating to your elderly parent’ s health, disability, income, assets, military service, education level and more. Visit this site and answer every question as accurately as you can. After submitting your answers, the site will respond with a list of government programs, supplements and services, including details and eligibility information.
www. Benefitscheckup. org A nonprofit site run by the National Council on Aging, it will ask many of the same questions as the site above, but may report additional programs, details and contacts that may fit your situation better.
Here is a guide to the top five programs everyone who is caring for an aging parent should know about:
1. MEDICARE
There is more to Medicare than just the Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance coverage. If your aging parent is 65 or older and collecting Social Security, his / her insurance premiums are deducted
from monthly benefits. Part D prescription drug coverage is subsidized by Medicare through payments to private company insurers who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low-income and receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $ 10 of the monthly premiums. This option may provide substantial cost savings for your parent.
2. SOCIAL SECURITY If your parent’ s Social Security benefits were earned based on lower paying jobs, and if the benefits are the only source of income, there may be a larger monthly benefit available by applying for the Supplemental Security Income( SSI) program. The program may be operated federally or in conjunction with your state government. The welfare-based Medicaid program is also administered through the Social Security Administration, though the operation may be directed by your state government.
3. AREA AGENCY ON AGING
There is a federally mandated Area Agency on Aging in every county or city in the United States. This agency is staffed by professionals who are knowledgeable about elder programs and services, including available financial sources in your area, Meals-on-Wheels food programs, respite services and other local senior services. To find out which programs your parent or loved one may qualify for, make an appointment to meet with a counselor. The staff person can provide advice regarding programs and qualifications, and even help prepare the necessary applications and documentation. You can access your Area Agency on Aging through your local telephone book or website.
4. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS( VA)
If your aging parent is a military veteran and has a service-related disability, you may be able to apply for an increase in benefits, particularly if the disability has worsened over time. If he or she needs continuing medical care because of the disability, an application for medical benefits, hospitalization and prescription drugs may be submitted. There are several types and levels of VA compensation and pension programs. The VA has been slow in processing claims the past few years, but there is continuing pressure by Congress and the Administration to speed up its service.
5. YOUR U. S. SENATOR OR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE Every senator and most representatives have a staff specialist on elder affairs, programs and services. This staff person can both advise and advocate for benefits or services for your parent. Visit www. senate. gov or www. house. gov for more specific information about programs and services.
Through these resources, caregivers can gain access to a world of vital information as well as programs and services to help make life better for their aging parents or loved ones.
Woodland Hills | Fall 2016 | icmags. com 9