WELFARE FOR SENIORS Presented by: Brenda Marrero, Esq. Aging and Disabilities Unit Community Legal Services, Inc.
Jan 14, 2016
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