Wanted: Volunteers for Low-Income Outreach Effort
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-01-29 17:23:45.739076-05:00
AARP North Dakota is conducting two workshops in Feb. to train volunteers to help low-income people find out if they’re eligible for extra help with the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit and other federal or state programs.
AARP research shows that nearly one in five North Dakota households with residents age 50 and older have annual income of less than $15,000 a year.
AARP volunteers and other workshop participants will learn how to use Benefits QuickLINK software.
The first two training sessions are:
Bismarck Feb. 20 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fargo Feb. 27 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Experts estimate that nearly four million eligible low-income older people are not getting the benefits they deserve because they don’t know what is available or how to access information and benefits. Others refrain because of the programs’ overwhelming application procedures; while some simply are too embarrassed to rely on governmental support systems.
The AARP Foundation Benefits Outreach Program, in collaboration with the National Council on Aging, has developed community education and volunteer assistance programs to facilitate understanding and access to public benefits by older Americans.
AARP North Dakota plans to schedule Benefits QuickLINK events in different locations in the state in 2007. AARP North Dakota will invite those who have attended this training to participate in the events to assist eligible low-income people to learn about and access public assistance programs that could improve the lives of North Dakotans living in poverty.
For more information on the training, or to register, contact Marlowe Kro at (701)355-3643 or (866)554-5383 or via e-mail.
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