FINANCIAL HELP
Affordable Diabetic Sells diabetic supplies – test strips, lancets and glucometers – in slightly damaged boxes – for 25 to 30 % off the regular price. Also can buy short-dated strips for less. Short-dated means it will expire in 30 days – great if you test up to 3 times a day. Has a 4.8 rating on TrustPilot. Also blog with diabetic information.
Benefits.gov If you have a home that needs weatherization or state Medicaid this site provides information needed to apply https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/623 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Benefits Check-up is a National Council On Aging service to check for benefits available in your state when you type in a zipcode. It is the nation’s most comprehensive online tool to connect older adults to benefits. Every year, billions of dollars in benefits programs go unclaimed because older adults don’t. From the website: ”To see if you’re eligible for a program or a group of programs such as help with prescription drugs, health care, housing, and utilities, click the “See if you may be eligible” button, answer some questions, and we’ll let you know if you may be eligible for certain programs.” And “the easiest way to learn about the wide range of benefits programs you may be eligible for is to use our free,confidential screening. BenefitsCheckUp helps identify savings programs available for property taxes, health care, food and nutrition, utility costs, and more.” There is more. . . visit the website!
CaringInfo.org The first part of this page explains the purpose of power of attorney and other documents that will express your wishes should you not be able to speak for yourself. Scroll down to the second part, select your state. Each state has different requirements. Fill out the form online and print for signing. Free. If you have questions about the documents, the bottom half explains the purpose of each one.
Consumer Finance.gov This page has information for persons who have power of attorney, are a trustee or a court appointed guardian to manage money and financial decisions for someone else.
Feeding America Enter your zipcode or state and find your local food bank.
FIND HELP Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, transportation and more.
Free Will “FreeWill offers online self-help solutions for common estate planning needs and related educational content” . Create your will, durable Power of Attorney, beneficiary designations, or living will using the state specific online forms provided. “One in six people who use FreeWill choose to leave a bequest to charity. They believe, as we do, that leaving a bequest to nonprofit organizations in your will can be an incredibly powerful way to make an impact for the causes you support”.
GoodRx “Our mission is to build better ways fo r people to find the right care at the best price. Use the website to find lowest price on any medication, use the card to claim the price at the location nearest you. . . . Good Rx is NOT insurance, but can be used instead of insurance. You cannot combine insurance, Medicare or Medicaid and GoodRx. You can use GoodRx instead to cover high deductibles or prescribed medications not on the insurance company formulary. Good Rx may even be able to find prices lower that your co-pay.” Founder realized there was no way to compare drug prices online when his insurance quoted him a price for new medication. And corrected that! Check out other services, including phone apps.
Good Shepherd Fund If you are planning guardianship as a longterm solution to caregiving, check out this nationwide service. Founded by a pastor who was asked to find help for a couple’s child to meet the need for the child’s lifelong care. Website: “Whether you’re considering care management services, financial oversight, decision-making, or advocacy, we can help you shape the future for you and your loved ones.” Also: “We help you provide for your family members through a Trust, so government benefits remain intact, assets protected and ensure spending is under control.”
Grants for Seniors Click on your state from the list on the home page for a very comprehensive list of assistance available. Check out the Financial button at the top of the page for more information on stretching funds.
Housing and Urban Development Start here and click on your state to find an office near you. HUD offers Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly specifically designated for low-income senior citizens.This page explains the program https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/spm/gmomgmt/grantsinfo/fundingopps/fy20_section202
iCanConnect – provides free equipment and training for people with both significant hearing and vision loss who meet the program’s disability and income eligibility guidelines. The focus of ICC is to ensure that individuals, with limited incomes, and who experience a combined vision and hearing loss, can access telephone, advanced communications and information services. Click on “Find My State” and then click on your state in the pop-up list.
Knitted Knockers – Knitted Knockers are special handmade breast prostheses for women who have had breast cancer and undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy. Traditional breast prosthetics can be hot, heavy and sticky. They typically require special bras or camisoles with pockets and can’t be worn for weeks after surgery. Knitted Knockers are soft, comfortable, beautiful and when placed in a regular bra they take the shape and feel of a real breast. They are adjustable, washable and can even be worn while swimming. Our special volunteer knitters provide these FREE to those requesting them. Apply on the website.
Law Help. Com From the website: LawHelp is a program of Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing the power of the law to all. . . was created to help people without lawyers understand their rights, make informed decisions and connect to help in your local community. . . . provides referrals to nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state and territory (click your state on the interactive map) . . . . free legal rights resources, including court forms and self-advocacy tools (using LawHelp Interactive to find and fill forms) . . . . . also link to other trusted sources of legal help”. Provides information for immigrants, including how to become a US citizen. Very comprehensive site.
Legal Aid Website for the Legal Services Corporation, an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. Click on the map for contact information in your state. They will provide help for civil matters such as divorce, bankruptcy, disaster aid, foreclosure, employment compensation.
Medicare.gov Need help paying Medicare premiums? Click here. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs . For help with drug costs visit Extra Help https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs
Medicaid A Federal health insurance program for those with qualifying low income administered by individual states. Medicaid provides free or low-cost health insurance and prescription drug coverage Medicaid and helps defray many of the costs associated with nursing home or assisted living care. Eligibility is determined based on an applicant’s income, assets, household size and health care needs. On the navigation bar click “Resources for States” and scroll to find the US Map. Click on your state for more information, such as applying for benefits for Medicaid and CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Most states will also have local offices for your state Department of Health and Human Services where you can also get information and apply.
Modest Needs Modest Needs’ mission is to help low-income workers who are struggling to shoulder the burden of a short-term emergency expense
National Council on Aging “We will deliver the resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy our nation needs to ensure that every person can age with health and financial security.” This website has information on many topics, but is included here because it has comprehensive, up to date information on financial issues, such as SNAP benefits, Benefits Enrollment Centers, Low income Utility Assistance, prescription assistance. Click on the Search button and enter your topic. I searched for Financial help and got 37 results ranging from scam protection to home repair grants.
NeedyMeds Started by a doctor in Maine who was concerned about the cost of health care. Educates and empowers those seeking affordable healthcare. Click on the “Getting Started” Button and then “New User” on the drop menu. I found this site a little challenging, but hang in there and you’ll find lots of cost saving information.
Paying for Senior Care Aging Americans are struggling to pay for assisted living, home care and other forms of long term care. Our mission is to solve this puzzle by providing tools, information and creative ideas which help families and caregivers discover the means to care for their elderly loved ones. Note: This is a very comprehensive website on multiple topics and well worth exploring – everything from product reviews, to finding assisted living in your state, to Medicare helps and Alexa for Seniors. Not a 10 minute read ☺
RxAssist – A comprehensive database of assistance programs, as well as practical tools, news, and articles so that health care professionals and patients can find the information they need all in one place. Funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Start at “Patient Savings Center” and also check out “Resources” for information on other sources of savings, including drug discount cards.
Senior Living. Org List of discounts available for seniors.
Social Security Compassionate Allowance From the website: Compassionate Allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children. The CAL initiative helps us reduce waiting time to reach a disability determination for individuals with the most serious disabilities.
Social Security Disability For your SSDI application to be approved, you must demonstrate severe or total disability: an injury or condition that prevents you from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” (i.e., most work) and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Social Security maintains a detailed list of impairments with additional information on how it evaluates disability claims.
USA.gov Get information on government programs that may help you pay for food, housing, health care, and other basic living expenses
USDA Rural Development / Scroll down and click on the appropriate link for personal housing, local business or community development. Click the “housing” box and find information to help repair or rebuild your rural home if you are in an eligible area, which will vary according to state. If you are the homeowner and occupy the house, unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere and have a household income that does not exceed the limit by county, you can apply for a loan. Applicant for grants, must meet above criteria and be age 62 or older. OR For information specific to your state click “State Offices” and then your state on the pop-up map, for this and other programs vital to rural development including water management, broadband access, energy. If you live and/or do business in an eligible rural area this could be an invaluable resource.
UCLA Health Community Resources – A national data bank of resources in communities across the US. Type your zipcode in the box on the landing page and go to resources in YOUR area. Comprehensive! I found services in my area halfway across the country from UCLA that I did know know existed. Curated by University of California- Los Angeles. Available in 10 different languages.
Medicare.gov Need help paying Medicare premiums? Click here. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicare-savings-programs . For help with drug costs visit Extra Help https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs Apply for Medicaid https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/medicaid
