Navigating public services for financial assistance

The Family Caregiver Support Program

This national program, funded by the Administration on Aging (AOA), is offered in every state through your local Area Agency on Aging. If you are caring for someone in your home who is 60 years of age and older and who has a moderate income, you may qualify. Many programs pay $200 a month for families to spend on services and supplies for senior in home care that can help them keep an older adult at home. Some programs also offer up to $2,000 in home modifications. 

 

Call Eldercare Locator at 1.800.677.1116 to find the Area Agency on Aging closest to you, or visit the website at eldercare.gov. If you'd like to know more about the program from AOA, click here.

 

Medicare

This federal program covers a range of medical and healthcare services for people 65 years and older and those receiving Social Security Disability. At the Medicare website, you can review the annual "Medicare & You" handbook, which describes all benefits, and can compare nursing homes, hospitals, home health care agencies, Medigap policies, Part D prescription plans and durable medical equipment companies.

 

Call 1.800.MEDICARE or visit their website at medicare.gov.

 

Medicaid Waiver Programs

States throughout the country receive matched funds from the federal government for their Medicaid (welfare) programs benefiting lower income individuals. Some states have received waivers from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to allow them to use some of their long-term care Medicaid dollars to fund programs that enable people to stay at home who would otherwise need and qualify for nursing home care. Services like home care, assistance with daily living tasks, nursing care, care management and supplies may be covered. Every state is different, so contact your local Area Agency to find out if there any programs that address your situation.

 

Call Eldercare Locator at 1.800.677.1116 to find the Area Agency on Aging closest to you, or visit the website at eldercare.gov

 

The Veterans Administration (VA)

Any veteran who wants to receive VA health care services must enroll to determine eligibility category and priority group. If you qualify, you can receive primary care from outpatient clinics, community-based care, some nursing home care, diagnostic and treatment services, adult day services and medical in-patient care. If you don't live near a VA Medical Center, the VA may subcontract these services to another provider. 

 

Call the VA Enrollment Center at 1.877.222.VETS or go to the website at va.gov. There's also a toll-free Caregiver Support Line at 1.855.260.3274.

 

BenefitsCheckUp

This screening service is free from the National Council on Aging. Fill out forms online to learn if you qualify for hundreds of state, federal and private programs. You can also find out if you qualify for Extra Help for Medicare Part D and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - the new name for the federal Food Stamp program), as well as for help with healthcare, home care, meals, utility bills and more.

 

This is an online service only. Go to benefitscheckup.org

 

The bottom line

• There are hundreds of state and federal government services available to help people who are caring for an older adult. The four critical government programs are The Family Caregiver Support Program, Medicare, Medicaid Waiver Programs and the Veterans Administration. 
• BenefitsCheckUp is a free online screening service you can use to find out whether you qualify for hundreds of state, federal and private programs. It's available at benefitscheckup.org.
• Area Agencies on Aging are the hub for state and federal aging services. Call Eldercare Locator at 1.800.677.1116 to find the Area Agency on Aging closest to you, or visit the website at eldercare.gov.