WELFARE FOR SENIORS

Presented by:Brenda Marrero, Esq.

Aging and Disabilities UnitCommunity Legal Services, Inc.

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SSI over 65

Age 65+ Automatic Medicaid eligibility Asset/resources limit

Individuals $2000 Couples $3000 Report any change in income or resources!

Have to be low income and stay low income

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SSI—Current benefit rates

One person: $701.40 (includes state supplement)

Married couple: $1054.70 combined (includes state supplement)

No cost of living increase in 2010

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State supplement for SSI

State of Pennsylvania adds supplement to federal benefit rate

If have direct deposit, this supplement appears as a separate deposit

If you get paper checks and also get food stamps—the supplement goes on your EBT card

If get paper checks and don’t get food stamps—you will get 2 separate paper checks Tip: Better to have bank account to avoid paying fees

to check cashing stores!

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SSI Overpayments

What is an overpayment? When Social Security determines that you were paid too much SSI because of other income or being over the asset/resource limit

You will get a letter in the mail about this Appeal! You have 60 days to appeal. Look to

letter

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SSI—Filing a waiver

A waiver is a type of appeal Waiver can be filed at any time Must show you are without fault Must also show that paying back the

overpayment would cause you financial hardship

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SSI—Waivers cont’d

Administrative waiver: if overpayment is under $1000 can ask SSA to waive whole amount!

If are receiving Low Income Subsidy (LIS) pay only $10 per month (v. 10% of check)

No need to show without fault or financial hardship

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“SNAP”--Food Stamps

No asset test Gross income test: 200% of federal poverty

level for households that have an elderly person ($1805 per month or less)

How to apply—local welfare office, online @ www.compass.state.pa.us

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Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those who are at least 65

You may also get it if you are disabled and receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or have end stage kidney disease

It is run by the federal government Red/white/blue card

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Medicare cont’d

Part A—hospital insurance Part B—doctor’s visits, outpatient services,

medical equipment Part D—prescription drug coverage You can also choose to have your Medicare

through an HMO—Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)

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Keystone 65 Complete

This is a Medicare Advantage Plan in PA for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid

It is coming to an end as of 12/31/09! See handout for information and what to do if

you are in this Plan!

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Help with Medicare premiums

Part A: usually free Part B premium: $96.40 per month State of Pennsylvania will pay this for you if

you are low income See handout for income guidelines Application is in your folder

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Help with Medicare prescription coverage Low Income Subsidy (LIS)—it is a program

for low income people to help with prescription co-pays

If qualify for this subsidy, you pay very low co- pays for drugs

If your Part B premium is paid by state, you should be automatically enrolled

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Medical Assistance (MA)

MA is health insurance for low income people

It is run by the Department of Public Welfare

You have to meet income eligibility guidelines

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Three kinds of MA

General MA Nursing home grant—Medicaid for nursing

home stay “Waiver” services—receiving nursing home

level of care in your own home

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Giving away your assets

Don’t do it without talking to a lawyer first! If you are on MA or may need MA in the

future, what you do with your assets can affect your eligibility

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PACE/PACENET & PACE Plus Medicare These are Pennsylvania’s prescription

assistance programs for older adults Low cost prescription medication to qualified

residents 65+ Pennsylvania resident for at least 90 days

prior to date of application Can’t also be in DPW’s Medicaid prescription

benefit

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PACE

Benefit: $6 copayment (generic) or $9 copayment (brand)

Eligibility: 65 years or older Previous year’s income No asset limit! Single: $ 1208 per/mo Couple: $1475 combined per/mo

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PACENET

Benefit: $8 (generic)/$15 (brand) copayments Eligibility: Same as PACE but slightly higher

income limits Single: $1958 per/mo Couple: $2625 combined per/mo

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PACE/PACENET & Part D

Monthly premium If in PACE: PA pays benchmark If in PACENET: consumer pays premium

Wrap around coverage Enrollment in Part D not required

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Rent/Property Tax Rebate

Benefits: Up to $650/yr based on income, more for certain seniors

Excludes 50% of Social Security benefits You can apply online, or go to local library or

state representative office to get application If you got the rebate in the past, the State will

mail you the application each year See printout for income guidelines, rebate

amounts

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Welfare Appeals

ALWAYS appeal denials and cut-offs See handout Call Community Legal Services for legal

assistance

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Resources

Community Legal Services, Inc. 1424 Chestnut St., 215-981-3700 3638 N. Broad St., 215-227-2400

BenePhilly @ 800-236-2194 Can help you apply for state and federal benefit

programs www.ssa.gov Philadelphia Corporation for Aging www.pcacares.org

; Helpline: 215-765-9040 Department of Public Welfare www.dpw.state.pa.us