Vital Assistance Programs for Disabled Seniors
Some seniors may find it difficult to live independently or perform day-to-day activities and need to find help for disabled senior citizens. However, issues like not having a primary caregiver or the financial means to hire private assistance services can make it difficult to find solutions. What many seniors aren’t aware of, however, are the many low income programs for seniors available to provide assistance.
If you’re searching for assistance programs for seniors with disabilities, Senior Assistance Club can help you find the resources that should be at the top of your search. Take some time to learn more about how they might assist you and provide benefit in your life.
Income and Taxes
Finding jobs for seniors with disabilities can be difficult, given the current job market. Which is why over 15 million senior Americans live below the poverty line or struggle to pay their monthly bills. If you or a senior citizen you know is having difficulty and has limited income generation sources, these organizations can provide help for disabled seniors for both their income and taxes.
Social Security
If you’ve held a full-time job in your earlier years and made contributions toward your social security, then you may be qualified to receive retirement benefits in the form of a pension. Contact your local social security office to see if you qualify to receive retirement income. Social Security also offers assistance for disabled seniors.
In your younger years, you may have paid a percentage of your salary to the social security. Once you’ve retired, you can receive a monthly benefit that’s dependent on your income and contributions at the time. You can start receiving retirement benefits at the age of 62, and the longer you’ve waited, the more you’re entitled to receive from the program.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
This is a government program that assists low-income seniors by providing cash payouts that can cover your basic needs. Aside from blind and disabled seniors, seniors over the age of 65 can apply for the program. Although how much you can receive can vary, the maximum monthly amount is $750 for an individual and up to $1,125 for couples.
While this is a national program run by the Social Security Administration, unlike your Social Security benefits, how much you earn isn’t affected by how much you made in the past. Most states in the U.S. have also adapted this and provide supplementary payments. However, state SSIs have varying qualifications on who can receive financial assistance and how much they can receive. Factors like independent living, home care, or living in a nursing home can affect how much the additional state SSI will be.
For more information, contact your nearest Social Security Administration office.
Tax Assistance
Help for disabled seniors can extend to the taxes they pay. If you’re over the age of 65 or have a permanent disability, you may be qualified for the Credit for the Elderly or Disabled if your income is below a certain amount. Expect to get tax reductions of up to $7,500. Factors like your living situation can vary, so check with your county or state tax division to learn more.
For concerns about your tax, you can find IRS-trained volunteers that are part of the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program. This can help you find solutions for pensions, retirement benefits, and other taxes where you need assistance.
ABLE Savings Accounts
If you have a significant disability, these special savings accounts can help pay for housing, education, health and other qualified disability expenses. Only some states offer these accounts. The owner of the account must be blind or have a medical disability that occurred before age 26. Find out the details to see if this is a program that could be good for you.
With these resources, you and your caregivers can get valuable information. You may find programs that offer monetary assistance, training, and support for you and your family.
Medical
PACE: Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Are you curious about Medicare-Medicaid benefits for disabled elderly individuals? PACE offers a team approach to helping seniors manage their health care needs.
Check out the website to find out eligibility requirements, programs, and assistance. The PACE program is only available in some states. It is for individuals who are 55 or older, live in a service area of a PACE organization, and need nursing home-level care.
This program helps people meet health care needs in the community, with the help of a team of health care professionals.
Help with Medical Bills
The local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices helps people on Social Security and Medicare find help. You may qualify for Medicaid, a program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income. This includes help for disabled seniors that require special equipment like hearing aids and mobility aids.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Service animals are trained to complete work and tasks for specific, individual needs of people with disabilities. Emotional support animals do not typically perform specific tasks, but serve as companions to people with disabilities.
If you’re thinking about getting a service animal, talk with your medical provider. Your doctor can help provide insight into options, medical documentation and training programs.
Some of the common tasks service animals do include: guiding a person who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf, and assisting someone in a wheelchair. They may also do tasks such as calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack, or aiding and protecting a person who is having a seizure.
Housing, Rent, and Mortgages
A wide variety of federal, state, and local housing programs can help with finding and affording a place to live. You may find programs that help you modify an existing home for disabilities. Additionally, you may find training and support to help develop skills to live independently.
Every program has unique eligibility rules and a process for applying. Keep in mind that the demand for government-assisted housing is high, so how long it takes to receive housing assistance can take a while in some areas.
State-Owned Rental Housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development offers public housing to low-income individuals, seniors, and the disabled. Qualified tenants need to meet certain criteria such an income limits, which can vary depending on your area. If you’re qualified, you may be required to pay up to 30% of your income as rent.
Housing Choice Vouchers Program
Disabled seniors assistance extend to those who opt to live in rental properties in the private housing market. Under this program, you’re free to find your own housing, but it must meet certain health and safety standards. The owner of the property must also agree to rent to you under this program. During this program, you’ll cover rent that’s up to 30% of your income; the rest will be subsidized by public housing authorities.
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
For disabled senior citizens over the age of 62 that make up to $10,000 annually, you may qualify for this program. In it, you can live in homes that are equipped with mobility assistance and also receive in-home services like housekeeping and meals.
In-Home Care
Home Care Association of America
Visit the website of the Home Care Association of America for a comprehensive directory of in-home services in your area. This can include housekeeping, meal preparations, and other personal services required by disabled seniors assistance.
Eldercare Directory
State resources may be useful to continue living in your own home. You’ll find a wide range of assistance programs geared to help seniors, caregivers, and family caregivers. Please check these resources to see if some of the programs may be useful for you and your family.
The programs may be able to offer support in ways that help add ease, comfort and peace of mind. Some of the kinds of help include: home health aides, nursing care, home-delivered meals, help with household chores, and transportation. Additional programs may be available to assist with counseling, advocacy, and legal aid.
PACE: Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Medicare’s PACE program extends to seniors over the age of 55 in need of round-the-clock similar to nursing homes, but while remaining in their current residence. This program covers their healthcare, day-to-day tasks, medical appointments, transportation, and their other essential needs.
Senior citizens have to be over 55 years old and currently residing in an area covered by PACE, which currently is available in 31 states. It’s free if you are enrolled in Medicaid, you won’t have to pay any additional fees. Otherwise, you will need to pay monthly payments to stay in the program.
Government and Legal
Government programs may provide assistance with housing, service/emotional support animals; help with medical bills, and banking. Click on the link below to find out more in each area. Here’s a quick overview.
Benefits.Gov
Are you looking for benefits that could be useful to you? Simply fill out a short set of questions in the interactive screening tool. You’ll discover programs in your area that you may be eligible for, and you will be directed to the appropriate agency.
BenefitsCheckUp.org
This non-profit site is run by the National Council on Aging. It is specifically developed for seniors. Check this site for additional programs and details that best match your situation.
There are over 2,500 benefit programs available nationwide. You’ll find programs to help you with medications, health care, income assistance, food, housing and utilities, tax relief and more. Check out this site for specific programs that may help with services if you have hearing or vision loss.
This site offers information in English and Spanish.
Pension Counseling and Information Program
A program offered by the US Administration on Aging, this organization helps senior citizens experiencing legal issues with their pensions or retirement savings. The organization offers free legal assistance, education, and referrals for anyone in need of assistance.
Technology
SeniorNet
SeniorNet helps seniors navigate a world that’s becoming more digital. SeniorNet is a non-profit organization that provides computer training across the country for senior citizens over the age of 55. A yearly membership fee is required, but seniors get to learn the basics of handling different types of common technology.
iCanConnect
This non-profit organization is located in all 50 states and provides training and free equipment for seniors with significant hearing and vision loss. The program helps cover costs of Braille displays, computers, smartphones, and tablets. Information is available in English and Spanish and is designed to increase independence and overcome extreme isolation.
Transportation Services
The Elder Locator from the Agency on Aging is a great place to look for assistance with free or affordable transportation.
Do you need help with shopping, doctor appointments, and other transportation? If you have mobility issues or a disability, there are transportation services that can help you get in and out of the vehicle. This is a reliable avenue for finding transportation assistance for low income seniors.
Check your local community and city for more information about transportation services for seniors. Call 1-800-677-1116 to find a local agency that may offer transport in your area.
General Resources
Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator web site offers a comprehensive listing of services for disabled elderly. The Administration on Aging updates the website with current news and valuable information to keep you informed of services in your area.
This is definitely the first stop for searching for programs that can be of assistance.
ADRC Aging and Disability Resource Centers
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging can help you find aging and disability resources. The ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Centers) are a single point of contact for people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, veterans and families.
These are trusted points of contact for information, services, and resources within your community. In these centers, you can find unbiased and reliable information and counseling, available to people with all levels of income. You may be able to get the help you need to use your resources wisely.
In addition to this website, check your local area ADRC online for local information.
Assistance Club Summary
Many people are focused on the needs of seniors with disabilities, and seeking to offer support for healthy living. It’s good to explore the resources and see what may be useful for your specific circumstances. If someone you know is in need of assistance, please feel free to share this list of resources.