SENIOR
SPOTLIGHT
Seniors
Finding Benefits They Might Have Missed
(ARA) - Many seniors use
the Internet for playing games, e-mailing a grandchild, researching family
history, or checking the weather. But it can also be a powerful tool for
tracking down important information. For example, more than a half-million
older Americans have already discovered federal and state program benefits
they may know nothing about, thanks to the power of the Internet.
BenefitsCheckUp is the
first-of-its kind, Web-based service designed to help seniors, their
families and caregivers find the right benefits programs to meet their
needs. The www.BenefitsCheckUp.org
Web site contains a fast, free and confidential screening tool to
determine eligibility for nearly 1,000 unique state and federal programs
and provide detailed instructions on how to apply for them.
According to James
Firman, president and CEO of The National Council on the Aging (NCOA),
thousands of older Americans now have access to federal and state program
benefits they may not even be aware of. For example, of those who have
completed the BenefitsCheckUp questionnaire since June 2001, 26 percent
were eligible for, but not receiving, food stamps. And, 17 percent
qualified for, but were not receiving Medicaid benefits. Nearly 7 percent
of this group could get Supplemental Security Income if they applied for
it.
"Before
BenefitsCheckUp existed, seniors or their families had to spend hours on
the phone or standing in line at local agencies to find the same
information," said Firman. Now, by taking a few minutes to fill out a
free, confidential, on-line survey, visitors can access a report of all
the benefits available to them as well as information on how to claim
them.
BenefitsCheckUp includes
a database of approximately 1,000 federal and state programs available to
help older persons. The service asks for a user's age, income and ZIP
Code, but not one's name, Social Security number or other information that
could identify the user. After completing the questionnaire, users get a
list of potential benefits, with details about eligibility, where to find
local offices, and the records needed to apply for benefits. Seniors may
qualify for financial assistance, educational opportunities, employment
programs, health care, home energy assistance, housing assistance; in-home
services, legal services, nutrition programs, prescription drug
assistance, and volunteer opportunities.
Mobilization efforts are
underway in Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Cleveland and in the state of
Washington to ensure that more low-income seniors have access to the
online service. Many seniors do not have computers or easy access to the
Internet and The National Council on the Aging is working with local
community service organizations and community health centers to expand
that access.
"If you don't have
a computer or a close family member with one, visit a local senior center
or library and take advantage of BenefitsCheckUp," Firman said.
"If you're on a fixed income, this is a service you don't want to
ignore."
The NCOA brought
together several corporations and foundations including AOL Time Warner
Foundation, New York Life Insurance Co., Lucent Technologies Family Care
Development Fund, FJC -- A Donor Advised Fund, Merck Company Foundation
and the Archstone Foundation, to make BenefitsCheckUp available as a free
service to the public. The Web site is hosted by AOL's www.GovernmentGuide.com.
To find out what
benefits you qualify for, just click on www.BenefitsCheckUp.org
or use the AOL keyword: BenefitsCheckUp.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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