Ask Our Experts
By: Compiled by Carole Fleck; Source: AARP Bulletin Date Posted: 2007-03-06 12:53:00-05:00
The AARP Bulletin 's Ask Our Experts column provides answers to important questions affecting older Americans. Read below for this month's column, or review our archive of previously published questions and answers sorted by topic. (Note: Recent news or changes to regulations may affect the guidance offered in this previously published column.)
Submit your own question to the Ask Our Experts column via our easy-to-use online form.
Q. My 54-year-old sister has been disabled since her teens. She collects Social Security as an adult dependent under my father's Social Security benefit, but she gets only 50 percent of what he gets. When my father dies (he's 90), will my sister's benefit increase to 100 percent of what my father received?
A. No. It will increase to 75 percent of your father's benefit under Social Security disability rules for children of deceased parents. For more information on this issue, visit the Social Security Administrationonline or call them at 1-800-772-1213. —Expertise provided by Sara Rix
Q. My wife and I tried to cancel magazine subscriptions, but the company denied our request, telling us that a recorded telemarketing phone call proved that my wife agreed to accept them. We're on a fixed income and can't afford these magazines, which are being paid for automatically out of our bank account. My wife is 77 with hearing and speech disabilities, and says she didn't understand the phone conversation. What can we do?
A. Some operators sell magazine subscriptions without authorization from the publisher. Contact the publishers directly and ask that your subscriptions be canceled. If that doesn't work, tell your bank you did not okay the debit and you want to stop it. You also should contact your state attorney general. To prevent telemarketing calls, visit our State-by-State Guide to Do-Not-Call Registrationor the Federal Trade Commission's National Do Not Call Registry. Contact the FTC at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236); call from the phone you want listed on the registry. If you're already on the registry, file a complaint with the FTC at the same number. —Expertise provided by Sally Hurme
Q. I work full time and take care of my mother, who is 93 and lives with me. I leave her alone during the day, but at some point this arrangement will not be enough. Could I collect government assistance if I were to stay home and care for her?
A. It depends on whether your mother qualifies for a public program that will help her pay for in-home services. Some states will pay a family member to care for someone who meets Medicaid's disability and income requirement: few assets (less than $2,000 in most states) and relatively low income. Or she may be able to hire a part-time home care aide under Medicaid or another state program or use adult day services. To find out about services in your area, go to the U.S. Administration on Aging's Eldercare Locator. —Expertise provided by Enid Kassner
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