Help Your Family Members Find Public Benefits
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-02-07 11:24:00-05:00
Do your parents live in another state?
Are they living on a fixed income?
Do you wonder if they might qualify for programs that can help cover basic expenses?
Spend 15 minutes with Benefits QuickLINK and you'll learn about public benefits that could help them:
- stay healthy,
- cover basic expenses,
- assist older relatives, and
- support children in their care.
You will enter your parents' ZIP code, answer a short list of questions, and receive fact sheets, applications, and websites for programs available where they live.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I don't know my dad's income, and he won't tell me. How can I find out what programs he might qualify for?
Answer: Click on the Benefits QuickLINK tool and select the Public Benefits choice. Answer the questions but leave the income and asset questions blank. You will receive a list of fact sheets and applications for all the programs that are available for people with low incomes in his area. Print out the fact sheets and use them as a conversation starter.
My mom isn't 65 yet and doesn't have health insurance. She's on a fixed income. Is there any way for her to get help paying for prescription drugs?
Answer: Benefits QuickLINK has a screening tool that can help her find free and low cost medications offered by private pharmaceutical companies. Enter her ZIP code, income, assets, and the names of her prescriptions to see if programs are available. You will get fact sheets and application forms for available programs.
My parents do not have a lot of money, and I know they are relying on me and my brother to take care of them when they get older, but we haven't ever talked about it. We aren't ready and don't really know where to turn. What should we do?
Answer: The AARP Foundation has developed "Prepare to Care: A Planning Guide for Families" to help people in your situation. It provides step-by-step directions, and easy-to-use checklists to help your family get ready for the future.
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