Wednesday, August 7, 2002

Seniors finding benefits they might have missed

Many seniors use the Internet for playing games, e-mailing a grandchild, researching family history, or checking the weather. But it can also be a powerful tool for tracking down important information.

For example, more than a half-million older Americans have already discovered federal and state program benefits they may know nothing about, thanks to the power of the Internet.

BenefitsCheckUp is the first-of-its kind, Web-based service designed to help seniors, their families and caregivers find the right benefits programs to meet their needs.

The www.BenefitsCheckUp.org Web site contains a fast, free and confidential screening tool to determine eligibility for nearly 1,000 unique state and federal programs and provide detailed instructions on how to apply for them.

According to James Firman, president and CEO of The National Council on the Aging (NCOA), thousands of older Americans now have access to federal and state program benefits they may not even be aware of.

For example, of those who have completed the BenefitsCheckUp questionnaire since June 2001, 26 percent were eligible for, but not receiving, food stamps. And, 17 percent qualified for, but were not receiving Medicaid benefits. Nearly 7 percent of this group could get Supplemental Security Income if they applied for it.

"Before BenefitsCheckUp existed, seniors or their families had to spend hours on the phone or standing in line at local agencies to find the same information," said Firman.

Now, by taking a few minutes to fill out a free, confidential, on-line survey, visitors can access a report of all the benefits available to them as well as information on how to claim them.

BenefitsCheckUp includes a database of approximately 1,000 federal and state programs available to help older persons. The service asks for a user's age, income and ZIP Code, but not one's name, Social Security number or other information that could identify the user.

After completing the questionnaire, users get a list of potential benefits, with details about eligibility, where to find local offices, and the records needed to apply for benefits.

Seniors may qualify for financial assistance, educational opportunities, employment programs, health care, home energy assistance, housing assistance; in-home services, legal services, nutrition programs, prescription drug assistance, and volunteer opportunities.

Mobilization efforts are underway in Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Cleveland and in the state of Washington to ensure that more low-income seniors have access to the online service.

Many seniors do not have computers or easy access to the Internet and The National Council on the Aging is working with local community service organizations and community health centers to expand that access.

"If you don't have a computer or a close family member with one, visit a local senior center or library and take advantage of BenefitsCheckUp," Firman said. "If you're on a fixed income, this is a service you don't want to ignore."

The NCOA brought together several corporations and foundations including AOL Time Warner Foundation, New York Life Insurance Co., Lucent Technologies Family Care Development Fund, FJC -- A Donor Advised Fund, Merck Company Foundation and the Archstone Foundation, to make BenefitsCheckUp available as a free service to the public. The Web site is hosted by AOL's GovernmentGuide.com.

To find out what benefits you qualify for, just click on www.BenefitsCheckUp.org or use the AOL keyword: BenefitsCheckUp.

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