WELFARE FOR SENIORS

1. WELFARE FOR SENIORS Presented by: Brenda Marrero, Esq. Aging and Disabilities Unit Community Legal Services, Inc.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. “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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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!

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Welfare Appeals • ALWAYS appeal denials and cut-offs • See handout • Call Community Legal Services for legal assistance

23. 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