Government Benefits for Seniors, Support Groups

I had to quit my job to care for my father. His income is very low and the cost of caring for him is coming out of my savings. Are there any programs that can help?

The government offers benefits for seniors. Many government programs can help to provide financial assistance to seniors who need additional financial support. The following programs may make the financial aspect of caregiving easier.

1. Money for Veterans to Modify their Caregiver's Home

If your family member is a retired service member with service-connected disabilities, and they are still living at home, they may be eligible to receive a Temporary Residence Adaption Grant.

These grants can cover modifications like adding ramps and grab bars. They can also cover the installation of accessible bathroom fixtures and the widening of doorways.

The Temporary Residence Adaption (TRA) grants are offered by the veterans Administration to improve accessibility and improve a family caregiver home. The maximum TRA Grant amount is $47,130. Those who are eligible are veterans who live in the home of a caregiver where that caregiver home does not meet the veteran’s accessibility needs.

The veteran must have certain severe service-connected disabilities that would make them eligible for a specially Adapted Housing grant to improve accessibility to their home, if they live in their own home.

You can get more specifics on eligibility requirements, and apply on the VA Disability Housing Grants website, (eBenefits.va.gov). Hopefully, this will help with toileting, showering and other activities of daily living.

2. Utility Bill Assistance

Utilities are a large drain on financial resources. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is there to help people with limited incomes. This program provides bill payment assistance for utilities and energy.

If you qualify, you may also be able to get funding for the weatherization of your home. Recipients may even receive money for energy-related repairs. In some cases, grants may offset the cost of solar panel installation.

This is an income-based program. Qualification for this program considers household size and maximum income levels. You can learn more about this program and apply by contacting the National Energy Assistance Program at 1-866-674-6327 or emailing them at Energy@ncat.org.

3. Help with Medicare and Medi-Cal Payments

Low-income seniors can get help in paying their Medicare Part A and B premiums. The following programs can have significant savings for you.

Medicare savings programs pay Medicare Part A and B premiums. In some cases, they will also cover out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments or co-insurance). Eligibility is determined by each state’s Medicare program. Each state sets an income limit to qualify for the benefit. To find California’s specific requirements and to apply, call the Medicare Office at (916) 636-1980.

The Medi-Cal Waiver Program is for eligible seniors who require a level of care that would ordinarily require admission into a skilled nursing home. The in-home caregiver services could be paid through the waiver.

The goal of the program is to prevent or delay nursing home admission and provide frail seniors with the necessary medical and support services. This enables them to continue living at home with the family caring for them as long as possible.

Each state has an Aging Services Division dedicated to providing frail seniors with home and community services. The goal is to allow the seniors to stay in their own homes, instead of moving to skilled nursing. You can get great senior resource information by calling the Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging at (559) 624-8000.

It is important to remember that it does not pay for your stay at assisted living.

I know it is difficult and stressful just providing care for your father. I hope that this information will help to make the financial burden of caregiving less stressful for you.

My husband has dementia, and he is getting more difficult to care for. I need a support group, but I cannot make it to one in-person. There is no one to care for him while I am gone, and I cannot leave him alone. Are there other options available?

If you call me at (559) 737-7443, I can get your email address and send it to Toni Onkka LCSW. She is a licensed social worker/therapist who specializes in dementia. She has a Zoom caregiver support group once a month on the fourth Tuesday of every month from 1:30-3 p.m.

Once I send her your email, she will send you an invitation once a month about two days before the meeting. You can attend when you like and stay on the Zoom meeting as long as you can. She is wonderful at helping you to explore the difficulties you are facing and will help you to develop healthy coping strategies. I hope this helps!

Kimberly Jensen has been working with Quail Park as a Senior Resource Advocate for over ten years and has helped hundreds of families find solutions to their senior problems.

If you have a question, you can send it to her at KimberlyJ@QPCypress.com or call (559) 737-7443.