- New Year Brings New Status to Baby Boomers
Washington, DC - December 27, 2010 - In January, the first wave of baby boomers will start the New Year by reaching a series of significant milestones. This generation will begin turning 65, and as a result of entering into the age of retirement, will start to become eligible for various benefits, including Medicare. It is helpful for this aging population to learn about important benefits programs that may be available to them at this stage in their lives, regardless of whether or not they plan to retire anytime soon.
- NCOA and Bank of America Charitable Foundation Partner to Improve the Economic Security of Older Adults with Limited Resources
Washington, DC - December 2, 2010 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced a partnership to provide one-on-one financial assistance for older adults in six communities across the U.S. that have been hard hit by the recession. With a $275,000 grant from the Foundation, NCOA and the newly established Economic Security Centers, located in Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, San Francisco, Trenton, and Orange County, NY, will serve over 1,200 vulnerable older adults over the next year.
- Making the Most of Medicare Open Enrollment
Washington, DC - November 15, 2010 - Today marks the beginning of Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, which runs through December 31, 2010. During this time, people with Medicare can select or change their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for 2011.
- BenefitsCheckUp Fully Charged to Help Seniors Find Energy Assistance
Washington, DC - October 1, 2010 - Seniors with limited income will be hard-pressed to keep up with utility bills this year, having to quickly adjust from the high cooling costs of the record-breaking temperatures this summer to increased heating costs in the coming winter months. To help meet these needs, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the release of $101 million in emergency funding for eligible low-income homeowners and renters. Older adults can use BenefitsCheckUp (www.benefitscheckup.org), a free online screening service of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), to learn if they are eligible for these and other basic benefits.
- The National Council on Aging Launches Better Choices, Better Health
Washington, DC - August 23, 2010 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) today announced the debut of Better Choices, Better HealthTM, the online version of the internationally recognized Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP), which will be available free for people with chronic health conditions in seven states - California, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Oregon.
- BenefitsCheckUp Helps Seniors Take Advantage of Poverty Guidelines Extension
Washington, DC - August 10, 2010 - The federal government's recent announcement that the 2009 poverty guidelines will remain in effect through 2010 is good news for many Americans. This extension means that there will not be a reduction in the income limits for key public benefit programs, and Americans nationwide who fall within the current poverty threshold will continue to qualify for these much needed programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Medicare's Part D Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Programs. Unfortunately, not all individuals who qualify for these benefits are aware of their eligibility.
- NCOA Brochure and Assessment Tools Now Required for Those Seeking Reverse MortgagesNCOA Brochure and Assessment Tools Now Required for Those Seeking Reverse Mortgages
Washington, D.C. - August 4 - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) now requires all HUD-approved reverse mortgage counselors to provide their clients with the National Council on Aging's (NCOA) 28-page consumer booklet on reverse mortgages. In addition, counselors must complete an extra level of financial assessment to help prospective borrowers gain a greater understanding of financial risk and other factors that may impact their loan.
- Independent Living Systems Partners with the National Council on Aging, Expands Benefits Screening Service to Thousands of Seniors
Washington, DC - July 16, 2010 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) today announced the addition of Independent Living Systems (ILS) as the newest partner to sponsor a Private Label version of BenefitsCheckUp, NCOA's online screening service for senior benefits. The Private Label version of BenefitsCheckUp will allow ILS to enhance the care management services the company currently provides to its clients, many of whom are frail and underprivileged individuals who require chronic care or other special needs.
- Pfizer to Continue Support of NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp Program
Washington, DC - July 6, 2010 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) today announced Pfizer's continued sponsorship of its popular BenefitsCheckUp® program. Pfizer has supported the free consumer information program since 2002, and is part of a team of over 20 sponsors including pharmaceutical companies, health care organizations, foundations, corporations, and government partners.
- BenefitsCheckUp “Beefs Up” Food Security for Seniors
Washington, DC - June 30, 2010 - BenefitsCheckUp today announced the addition of three federally-funded food assistance programs for seniors with low or limited income to its growing list of online benefits resources. The additional programs include the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. These three programs will be combined with SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp program) that is currently provided on BenefitsCheckUp, to create a more comprehensive listing of food benefits. Seniors can access the free online database of more than 2,000 benefits programs at www.benefitscheckup.org.
- NCOA Encourages Seniors to Age Strong! Live Long! During National Older Americans Month by Tapping Into Available Benefits
Washington, DC - May 7, 2010 - In recognition of Older Americans Month, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) invites seniors nationwide to take advantage of free online screenings for benefits programs through its BenefitsCheckUp program.
- National Council on Aging and AGIS Network, Inc. partner to streamline senior eligibility screening and program enrollment
Washington, DC - March 10, 2010 - The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and AGIS Network are pleased to announce an integrated online screening system to help social service agencies better serve older adults and people with disabilities who are seeking information on benefits programs. Available through AGIS, this new technology offers social services agencies more comprehensive access to NCOA's BenefitsCheckUp ® screening engine, eligibility rules, and program database, and allows consumers to apply online using AGIS eForms ®. Agencies using the new interface will be better equipped to help consumers screen for program eligibility and apply online for multiple benefits programs.
- New Year’s Resolution for Older Adults: Take Advantage of New Changes to Programs that Help with Medicare Costs
Washington, DC - January 11, 2010 - Many 2010 New Year's resolutions will likely focus on staying healthy and saving money. Older adults can help keep both of these resolutions by using BenefitsCheckUp, a free, online benefits screening service developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).Beginning in January, federal changes to Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and Medicare's Low Income Subsidy ("Extra Help") mean a simplified application process and greater eligibility for these important programs. MSP provides support to seniors by helping with Medicare costs such as the monthly Part B premiums and, in some cases, other premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Medicare's Extra Help assists with the cost of Medicare prescription drug coverage.
