This is one in a ….

This is one in a series of monthly columns to familiarize LW residents with the vast array of resources available to them. Each article will focus on a topic of interest as researched by Member Resource Liaison Robann Arshat. This one is on elder care advocates. The goal is to help residents better manage the challenges often associated with aging and to keep people at home and healthy for as long as possible.

Low Income Programs

According to federal guidelines, senior citizens are considered low income when they make less than $30,000 a year, which calculates to be about $2,450 a month.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that nearly 40% of seniors who are 60 years old and up are low- to moderate-income; 46% are worried that their monthly income will not meet monthly financial needs for the next five-10 years; and 32% are unprepared to pay for unexpected expenses. Most seniors have a fear of outliving their money.

There are many benefits and programs available to seniors to help make life more financially manageable.

Here is a list programs that can help:

Social Security Programs

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): This program is for seniors who suffer from disabilities but have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This program is for seniors aged 65 or older but are disabled and have limited resources.

For more information about SSDI and SSI, or to apply online, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.cdss. ca.gov/ssdi-ssi.

• Social Security Administration Office, Fountain Valley, 1-800-772-1213

• Social Security, Garden Grove, 1-877-669-3115

• Social Security, Long Beach, 1-888-256-2631

• Survivor Benefits: These are benefits that are paid to senior widows or survivors of deceased workers who were on Social Security. A widow or widower at full retirement age or older can receive 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount. A widow or widower, age 60, full-retirement-age can receive 71.5-99% of the deceased worker’s basic amount. For more information about survivor benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 or visit www. ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ ifyou.html.

Energy & Utility Assistance

• 211 for Essential Community Services—Dial 211 for help with housing expenses, paying bills, mental health resources, healthcare expenses, utility expenses, finding food or shelter, substance abuse, crisis and emergency issues and with COVID-19. 211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services. For more information, visit www.211.org.

• Affordable Connectivity Program (replaces the EBB program) is run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households pay for Internet service and other connected devices. For more information and to apply, visit the website at www.affordableconnectivity. gov.

• California Lifeline Program provides discounted home phone and cell phone service to eligible households. People qualify if they are enrolled in any of Medicaid/Medi-Cal’s qualifying public assistance programs. For information, visit www.californialifeline.com or the California LifeLine Eligibility website at www.cpuc.ca.gov. LifeLine.

• California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) provides free specialized phones and accessories for mobile phones to those who qualify. People must have telephone service and written approval of need from a doctor. These devices make it easier to hear, dial and call. This is a program of the California Public Utilities Commission. For more information, visit www.Californiaphones.org.

• California Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (CALIHEAP Program) is a federally funded program that helps people pay for utility and heating bills. Eligible people who have received electric, gas, or heating disconnect notices can apply for emergency financial help. The program offers one-time-per-funding-year assistance on either electric or gas bills in Orange County. For more information or to apply, call (714) 839-6199 or apply online at www.caliheapapply.com.

• Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is a federally funded program that provides assistance to low-income households in crisis; for example, if a household receiving a 24-48 hour disconnect notice or service termination by their utility company or if a household facing an energy-related crisis that could be deemed potentially life-threatening within the household, such as a combustible appliance. For more information or to apply, call (714) 839-6199 or apply online by visiting the website www.caliheapapply.com.

• California Public Utilities Commission Assistance California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) offers offering low-income customers discounts on their electric and natural gas bills. Customers may also be eligible for CARE if they are enrolled in public assistance programs such as Medicaid/ Medi-Cal, Cal-Fresh, CALIHEAP and SSI. To request an application and more information, contact your utility company: Edison, (866) 675-6623 or www.sce.com; SoCalGas, (800) 427-2200 or www.socalgas.com.

• We Care of Los Alamitos is a nonprofit that pools the resources of the community to meet emergency needs , including utility assistance, therapy services, food, personal care items and more. For more information, call (562) 598-9790 or visit www.wecarelosalamitos. org. Food Programs

• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a federally funded food program. Sponsored by the USDA, this program gives low-income seniors coupon vouchers and booklets that they can use to buy fresh and organic produce. People can use them to buy fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs, honey and more from farmers’ markets, community- supported agriculture programs, and roadside stands. To eligible, a senior must be at least 60 years of age, have a maximum income $1,986 for a one-person household; $2686, two-person household; and $3,386, threeperson household. For more information and to apply visit www.cdfa.ca.govseniorFarmersMrktNutritionPrgm.

• Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization that provides food for homebound seniors as well as assistance to low-income seniors. It delivers nutritious food and offers safety checks and friendly visits daily. Fees are from $5.25-$9.75 per day depending on which area supplier you choose. However, if you qualify as low-income, you maybe eligible for the free meal program. Each delivery includes lunch, dinner, dessert and beverage. The menu variety is posted online for each company. For more information: Meals on Wheels-Orange County: (714) 220-0224 or apply online at www. mealsonwheelsoc. org; Meals on Wheels-Long Beach, (562) 439-5000, ext. 1 or visit the website and apply online at www.mowlb.org.

• CalFresh is funded by the USDA and administered through the Community Action Partnership. The benefits assistance program helps low income seniors supplement food budgets. Qualifying seniors receive a debit card that is funded monthly to buy groceries. Food may be purchased at any grocery store or farmers market that accepts EBT cards. Requirements to apply: there must be at least one citizen or legal permanent resident with a social security number living within the household; a senior may qualify for CalFresh even if you have a full or part time job; seniors on SSI or with a disability can apply and may be eligible. To apply, supply a photo ID, Social Security card, proof of income and resident card (if applicable, receipt of rent, and receipt of one utility bill). Maximum monthly income cannot exceed $2,148 for a one-person household, $2,2094 for a two-person household or $3,660 for a threeperson household. To apply with ease, go to www.getcalfresh.org and click on the green “apply now” button. Or contact LW’s CalFresh representative Daisy Diaz at (714) 733-8679.

• CAP Food provides free food is available to eligible Leisure World residents who are 60 years or older through Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAPOC), which has a monthly distribution site by Clubhouse 4. Food distribution is every third Thursday of the month from 9-11 a.m. Qualified seniors receive 40 pounds of food, including canned fruit, vegetables, meat, rice, juice, cereal and more. Eligible seniors must live in Leisure World, be at least 60 years or older and meet income guidelines as follows: a maximum monthly income of $1,396 for a one-person household, $1,888 for a two-person household, and $2,370 for a three-person household. To sign up bring a photo ID and proof of income (Social Security/SSI statement, letter or bank statement or pay stub) to the distribution site to sign up and take home a box of food the same day. For more information, visit www.capoc. org/oc-food-bank.

• Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid health care program that is supported by federal and state taxes. It is a public health insurance benefit assistance program that provides medical services to low-income seniors. If you want to apply for Medi-Cal, you have to make sure you qualify and are eligible. There are strict eligibility requirements that must be followed. Qualified seniors can get help to pay for doctor’s visits, medication, dental screenings, rehabilitation, surgery, hospital visits and more.

• Medi-Cal applications and general information, (800) 2819799, www.ssa.ocgov.com.

• Orange County Social Services Agency to apply for benefits or Existing Clients, 1(855) 541-5411.

• Medi-Cal Providers, 1(800)-541-5555, www.medical. ca.gov.

• Medi-Cal Customer Service, (888) 587-8088, www.ssa. ocgov.com.

• Medi-Cal Member Help, (800) 896-4042, www.dhcs. ca.gov.

• Cal Optima, (888) 5878088, www.caloptima.org.

• Covered California, (800) 300-1506, www.coveredca.com.

• OneCare Connect Customer Service, (877) 412-2734.

• Orange County Social Services Agency, (800) 281-9799.

Other Medi-Cal Programs

• Assisted Living Waiver Program is a program under California Medi-Cal for eligible individuals who are enrolled in Medi-Cal. It can provide financial assistance for the monthly fee of an assisted living or board and care facility. For more information, visit www.dhcs.ca.gov/ services/Itc/Pages/AssistedLivingWaiver. aspx.

• California Department of Health Care Services Office of the Ombudsman is a government office for assistance with questions or issues. It helps resolve problems to ensure that Medi-Cal members receive all medically necessary covered services without difficulty. For more information or help resolving an issue, call (888) 452-8609 or visit www.dhcs. ca.gov/services/mh/pages/mhombudsman. aspx.

• Medi-Cal Dental Program offers dental services. For more information, call 1(800) 3226384 or visit www.Dental.dhcs. ca.gov.

• In-Home Supportive Services (Caregiver) is a Medi-Cal program that will help pay for caregiving services. To be eligible, the senior must be 65 years or older, or disabled, or blind. For more information, visit www.cdss.ca.gov/in-homesupportive- services.

• Medi-Cal Long Term Care provides benefits to cover medical expenses incurred by an individual who has been hospitalized, or in acute care or a skilled nursing facility for over 30 days and is expected to remain at least 30 more days. A single senior with property/ resources of $2,000 and under is eligible. A married individual whose spouse is living at home may keep a predetermined amount of community property/ resources (CSRA). For CSRA financial guidelines, visit www. medicaidplanningassistance. org/community-spouse-resource- allowance/. For general information and application information, visit www.ssa.ocgov. com/health-care-services/ medi-cal-program-services/ long-term-care.

• Medi-Cal Safety Net Program (MSN)-OC Health Care Agency provides necessary medical services through the County of Orange for lowincome adults for urgent, emergent medical services and necessary follow-up care to protect a patient from the loss of life or limb, or to prevent significant disability and/or the serious deterioration of health. The MSN program does not cover preventive medical services. For more information, call (714) 834-6248 or visit www. ochealthinfo.com/about-hca/ medical-health-services/medical- safety-net-program-msn/ medical-safety-net-programmsn.

• PACE by CalOptima is all-inclusive care for the elderly. The community-based Medicare and Medi-Cal program provides health care services, including preventative, primary, acute and long-term care to frail elders and adult day care for people with multiple chronic conditions to help them continue living independently. For more information, call (714) 468-1100 or 1(855) 785-2584 or visit www.caloptima.org.

Visit the display in Building 5 for more information. To book an appointment to learn more about the information here, call Robann Arshat at (562) 4316586, ext. 317.