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Benefits & Public Access

    Results: 21

  • Basic Needs (3)
    B

    Basic Needs

    B

    Programs that furnish survival level resources including food, housing, material goods, transportation and utilities for individuals with low or fixed incomes, people who are homeless, older adults and/or people with disabilities who are otherwise unable to adequately provide for themselves and their families. Also included are related services that are available to the community at large.
  • Benefits Assistance for Older Adults (3)
    FT-1000 * YB-8000

    Benefits Assistance * Older Adults

    FT-1000 * YB-8000

    Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits to which they are entitled by law. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with benefits administration staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

    Individuals who are age 50, 55, 60, 62 or 65 or older depending on the minimum age for qualifying as an older adult which varies by program.

  • Burial Benefits (3)
    NS-1000

    Burial Benefits

    NS-1000

    Public programs that pay a portion of the funeral expenses of individuals who qualify, i.e., persons entitled to Social Security and/or veteran benefits.
  • Discounted Internet Service (1)
    BV-8900.1700-330

    Discounted Internet Service

    BV-8900.1700-330

    Internet service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.
  • Emergency Funds (4)
    TB-0700.2200-170

    Emergency Funds

    TB-0700.2200-170

    Foundations and other funding organizations that provide monetary support which recipient agencies may use to fund short-term needs in emergency situations (e.g., the temporary loss of an ongoing source of income).
  • General Benefits Assistance (3)
    FT-1000.2500

    General Benefits Assistance

    FT-1000.2500

    Programs that focus broadly on helping individuals who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible rather than offering more specialized services relating to a particular type of benefit.
  • Home/Community Based Care Waiver Programs (1)
    NL-5000.5000-800.30

    Home/Community Based Care Waiver Programs

    NL-5000.5000-800.30

    State Medicaid programs operating under a waiver that permits them to utilize Medicaid funds, normally available only to pay for care in a skilled nursing, intermediate care or other long-term care facility, to provide case management and home care services for eligible individuals as a means of avoiding premature institutionalization. Individuals must be Medicaid eligible, must be certified or certifiable for long-term care, and must meet other criteria as specified in the state waiver, e.g., age and disability requirements. States are allowed to make waiver services available to people at risk of institutionalization, without being required to make waiver services available to the Medicaid population at large. States use this authority to target services to particular groups, such as elderly individuals, technology-dependent children, seriously emotionally disturbed children, or persons with intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities; or on the basis of disease or condition, such as AIDS. Covered services depend on the population(s) covered in the waiver. Those for older adults and adults with disabilities, for example, include but are not limited to case/care management, homemaker services, home health aides, personal care, adult day health care, habilitation and respite care. Services for children may also include wraparound facilitation/community support, independent living/skill building services and parent support and training. Every state has its own set of waiver programs that are unique.
  • Housing Expense Assistance (2)
    BH-3800

    Housing Expense Assistance

    BH-3800

    Programs that pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who are otherwise unable to provide for their housing needs. Housing expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Interest Free Loans (1)
    NT-6400.3300

    Interest Free Loans

    NT-6400.3300

    Programs that provide personal loans for people who qualify on the basis of income and charge no interest for the service.
  • Language Translation (1)
    PH-3500.4550

    Language Translation

    PH-3500.4550

    Programs that offer the services of bilingual individuals who have reading and writing proficiency in the second language to transfer documents written in the second language into English or vice versa or to explain the meaning of documents written in English to people whose reading proficiency in English is inadequate, using that person's native language.
  • Managed Health Care Information for Medicaid Recipients (1)
    LH-3500.4800 * YC-5000

    Managed Health Care Information * Medicaid Recipients

    LH-3500.4800 * YC-5000

    Programs that provide information and guidance regarding available managed health care options with the objective of helping people become more knowledgeable health care consumers. Managed health care deals with the variety of methods for financing and organizing the delivery of health services in which costs are contained by controlling the provision of services. * Low-income individuals who are receiving comprehensive medical benefits through the federal Medicaid program administered by the county or the state.
  • Medicaid (2)
    NL-5000.5000

    Medicaid

    NL-5000.5000

    A combined federal and state program administered by the state that provides medical benefits for individuals and families with limited incomes who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services within parameters established at the federal level. Many people are covered by Medicaid, though within these groups, certain additional requirements must be met. Eligibility factors include people's age, whether they are pregnant, have a disability, are blind, or aged; their income and resources (like bank accounts, real property or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether they are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted immigrants. Families who are receiving benefits through TANF and individuals who receive SSI as aged, blind and disabled are categorically eligible groups. The rules for counting a person's income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes, for people served under the Medicaid Waiver program, for people served by Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs and for children with disabilities living at home. Medicaid makes payments directly to a person's health care provider; and some recipients may be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services. Most states have additional "state-only" programs to provide medical assistance for specified low-income persons who do not qualify for the Medicaid program.
  • Medical Expense Assistance (1)
    LH-5100

    Medical Expense Assistance

    LH-5100

    Programs that pay the health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance. Medical expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Medicare (1)
    NS-8000.5000

    Medicare

    NS-8000.5000

    A federally funded health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for people age 65 and older; for individuals with disabilities younger than age 65 who have received or been determined eligible for Social Security Disability benefits for at least 24 consecutive months; and for insured workers and their dependents who have end stage renal disease and need dialysis or a kidney transplant. As with ESRD, the 24-month waiting period is waived for disability beneficiaries diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease). Premiums, deductibles and co-payments or out-of-pocket costs apply to Medicare coverage for most people. Special programs that assist with paying some or all of these costs are available for low income individuals who qualify. Medicare has four parts, but not every Medicare beneficiary has every part. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and home health care that meets the program eligibility criteria. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, preventive services and more. Together, Medicare Part A and Part B are called Original Medicare. Medicare Part C enables private insurance companies to offer Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans under contract with CMS that provide all Part A and Part B benefits to plan enrollees. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. Some plans offer extra benefits and services that aren't covered by Original Medicare, sometimes for an extra cost; and most (but not all) include Medicare prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) is an optional benefit that helps beneficiaries cover the cost of prescription drugs. The plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare and add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.
  • Property Tax Exemption Information (1)
    DT-8700.6500-600

    Property Tax Exemption Information

    DT-8700.6500-600

    Programs that provide information and guidance regarding property tax relief programs that grant partial or complete exemptions from property taxes for homeowners who are experiencing severe financial hardship. Exemptions are a reduction in the assessed value of a home by a specified amount and corresponding reductions in property taxes. Some forms of relief, known as "circuit-breaker" programs, offer exemptions that phase out as income increases. Many exemption programs have specified eligibility criteria, e.g., older adults, people with disabilities, widows, veterans and disabled veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability of a specified percent. In some cases, people who qualify must also meet income guidelines. In others, income is not a factor.
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (1)
    NS-1800.8000

    Social Security Disability Insurance

    NS-1800.8000

    A federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash benefits for disabled workers who are fully insured under the program, who are not capable of substantial gainful work and who have completed a five month waiting period.
  • Social Security Issues (1)
    YZ-8270

    Social Security Issues

    YZ-8270

    Programs that provide information and/or services that deal with the topic of Social Security.
  • Social Security Retirement Benefits (1)
    NS-7000.8000

    Social Security Retirement Benefits

    NS-7000.8000

    A program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash payments (sometimes called old-age insurance benefits) for people age 62 and older who are fully insured. Workers may retire at age 62 and receive a reduced benefit or may wait until age 65 and receive a full benefit. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.
  • State Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Programs (1)
    NL-5000.5000-770

    State Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment Programs

    NL-5000.5000-770

    State programs (or private vendors under contract with the state) that enroll Medicaid recipients in a Medicaid managed care program that coordinates the provision, quality and cost of care for its enrolled members. Recipients may have a designated amount of time to choose a managed care option following eligibility determination; and once enrolled, select a primary care practitioner from the plan's network of professionals and hospitals who will be responsible for coordinating their health care and referring them to specialists or other health care providers as necessary. In some situations, where acute and primary care are not integrated into the selected option, people may work with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to support service plan development and implementation. Enrollment in a managed care plan may be voluntary or mandatory for some or all Medicaid recipients in a state. Participation requirements and associated criteria vary from state to state and in some cases, from area to area within the same state. States often make exceptions to their mandatory enrollment requirements for certain individuals and groups, e.g., people with disabilities or identified health conditions, who may be served outside the state's managed care delivery system. These individuals may enroll in a managed care program but are not required to do so. States may also identify a range of Medicaid eligibility groups who are excluded from participating in their managed care programs. Also included are other programs that help people prepare and file State Medicaid Managed Care enrollment applications.
  • Utility Assistance (1)
    BV-8900

    Utility Assistance

    BV-8900

    Programs that provide financial assistance for people who are at risk for having their utilities shut off; offer discounted utility services; provide disconnection protection; arrange for notification regarding pending disconnection; make available special services such as large print utility bills or levalized energy bill payment arrangements which support people's ability to make their payments; or supply wood, propane, butane or other fuel for heating or cooking purposes in situations where people have no other means of acquiring them. Utility assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Utility Service Payment Assistance (2)
    BV-8900.9300

    Utility Service Payment Assistance

    BV-8900.9300

    Programs that pay all or a portion of the utility bills of people whose utilities have been or are at risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Utility bill payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.