Finding Benefits and Services

A phone and an Internet hookup are invaluable tools for seeking benefits and services. Public benefits programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, Social Security, and food stamps, have specific eligibility requirements. These vary, but they usually involve a combination of age, income, assets, expenses, household size, health status, work history, and disability.

Acquaint yourself with programs that can pay directly for certain needs, such as some prescription drugs or home health aides. While covered services are likely to be limited, this can free up time or money for other needs. Contact an experienced social worker or geriatric care manager for a comprehensive list of helpful options, or see what you find through BenefitsCheckUp, a service offered by the National Council on Aging.

Government Benefits

Many governments offer a variety of benefits. In the United States, these include the following:

• Social Security. Social Security is sent monthly to seniors who paid into the system while they were working or to their beneficiaries (spouse, disabled children, and children below a certain age or attending school).

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is paid monthly to low-income seniors and blind or disabled people. SSI benefits may be reduced if the person you are caring for lives in your home; does not pay for food, shelter, and clothing; and is not your spouse or child. Benefits may be more severely abridged or stopped if the person lives in a nursing home or hospital, unless the arrangement is temporary.

• Food stamps. This program helps low-income people buy food, which may make choosing healthy foods affordable and free up money for other needs.

• Veterans' benefits. These benefits help pay for many aspects of care for those who were in the armed services. Drugs, health care, and nursing home care may be among the items covered, although not every veteran is entitled to the broadest coverage. Coverage is more extensive for veterans with service-related disabilities, for example.

Steps to Take

Good financial planning starts with gathering these materials:

• A list of income and assets (including real estate, bank accounts, items in safe deposit boxes, and investment or retirement accounts)
• A list of all recurring bills and liabilities
• All insurance policies

Investigate the Following:

• A joint bank account or a durable power of attorney that allows you to pay bills
• Free or low-cost benefits that the person receiving care is eligible for
• Insurance options (life, health, long-term care)
• A bill-paying system (such as automatic withdrawals, online bill payments, or a bill-paying company).

Benefits CheckUp

This extremely helpful National Council on Aging database connects people 55 or older to hundreds of benefits that cover some costs for rent, property taxes, heating and utility bills, health care, prescription drugs, and other services or goods. You can choose to use the full benefits database or one that focuses only prescription drug coverage. You can use these free services as often as you like.

The questionnaire at www.benefitscheckup.org takes less than half an hour to fill out. It requires personal financial information, but it is confidential. If you appear to qualify for any programs, the service gives you contact information so you can request the benefit. Internet access and computer skills are necessary to fill out the forms. You may be able to get help at a local library or senior center.

Source: from Caregiver’s Handbook, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.  Use of Content | Medical Disclaimer