Senior Citizen Assistance in Orange County California
You won't have to go far to get the help you need in the Orange County area. This location provides its senior citizens with a wealth of information and support no matter what you need or want in terms of services.
Free Money for Senior Citizens From State Governments
You can apply to receive grant money from different states as well. Often, the states get this money from the federal government and organizations and individuals apply to the states to receive the grant. For example, in New York and some other states, you can apply for grant assistance for prescription costs for the elderly. Check your state government website or the Department of Social Services for your state, to see what options might be available.
Getting Grants for Seniors
If you or your organization would like to apply for a grant, it will require some preparation and effort. You may have to apply for more than one grant at a time or apply for several years before you receive some money. However, the good that you or your organization may be able to do for the elderly with some grant money may make it all worthwhile.
Where to Find Senior Citizen Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance for Seniors
Although there are many programs that provide seniors with financial assistance, each one has its own rules for qualification. In some programs the financial assistance a senior receives may not be in the form of money; instead, their income may be supplemented by things such as free meals or reduced rates on services. "Low income" is generally considered to be less than $30,000 a year for seniors.
Financial Assistance for Elderly Adults With the Cost of Utilities and Fuel
Many state and county governments offer financial assistance programs that provide help in several everyday expenses such as:
To find out about these programs in your area, contact the Office on Aging - Department of Community Services in your own state, as these types of assistance vary greatly from one state to another. To view an example of the services offered, visit the Department of Aging of Hartford County, Maryland.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance Provides Financial Aid for Senior Citizens for Prescriptions
For seniors and other patients who do not have prescription drug coverage, The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps the elderly get their medications for a nominal cost or for free. The company works with:
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Healthcare providers
- Doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Community groups
- Senior and patient advocacy groups
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance also provides help finding low cost or free clinics.
Additional Financial Aid for Seniors Resources
Below are some programs that either offer financial assistance or help seniors keep more of their money in their wallets.
National Shared Housing Resource Center
The National Shared Housing Resource Center is an innovative shared housing program partnering seniors with roommates. The senior provides housing to a person who in turn pays for boarding, helps with daily chores (or perhaps both), making it a mutually beneficial program for everyone involved. The goal is to give seniors the help they need to stay out of an assisted living facility.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a program offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that offers assistance with paying energy bills. It's important to note that most local energy companies also have programs in place offering either senior discounts or lower bills to low-income customers.
Senior Community Service Employment Program
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a program offered through the U.S. Department of Labor that offers unemployed seniors falling below the poverty income level the opportunity to receive work training in a non-profit or public organization. Job placement assistance is also available through this program.
Needy Meds
Needy Meds is a national, non-profit organization that serves as a comprehensive database of helping resources for financial needs specific to healthcare expenses. They're an unbiased resource for seniors experiencing difficulties in paying for medical expenses. Needy Meds also offers a prescription discount card regardless of income level.
Financial Struggles
According to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 7 million people aged 65 and over live below the poverty line. But seniors do not have to be living at or below the poverty level to be suffering financially. There are also a great many retired people who have low or moderate incomes that are struggling to pay bills, buy medications and put food on their tables.
Increasing Expenses
Most seniors live on a fixed income and are faced with frequent increases in the cost of food, home heating oil, and general utilities. Their medical bills mount as age-related conditions and health issues worsen. The cost of medical care and prescription drugs are steadily increasing. Every day seniors throughout the country make difficult choices of where to cut back on spending.
Finding Local Information About Financial Help for Seniors
To find out more information on senior citizen financial assistance in your area, call your local or state Office of the Aging, or visit a senior center near you. While it may take some time to find and qualify for local programs, the financial savings could be considerable. FFA offers a state-specific database of public programs assisting seniors - this is a good start for local benefit research.
