I have an aunt who lives outside Chicago on the NorthWest side going toward Rockford. Evidently her SS check is more than what she can qualify for assistance (by something like $10). We don't have other family in the area that can help her, so we're trying to see what we can do to help without being in the area. I'm having trouble finding resources. Can someone help me? I believe she's in Elgin, or South Elgin? I know it's the Elgin exit off of I-90 headed toward Rockford. Thanks so much!
Sorry she needs anything. She's facing foreclosure, etc. A place to live, help with meds. We're really looking for any leads at all. Thanks!
Wow! You mom's are great! I'm checking all the resources you're listing, so please keep them coming if you know of anything else. I didn't know there was so much help available. Thank you!
She might qualify for an assisted living facility which accepts medicaid, but I have been told recently that the wait at one is 9-12 months. The facilities are listed at www.slfillinois.gov. Look at the "operational list" and see if there is one near where she wants to live.
Does she have a social worker?
A good one?
I'm in California and as an insurance agent, I got calls from social workers about this type of situation.
I had little old clients that I would write a dental policy on for $30 a month and that "spend down" was considered in the formula for qualifying for assistance.
It was a perfectly legal expenditure which was used to calculate disposable income and help people qualify if they were just dollars away fom being eligible.
It's the same thing for a single, working mother. She may not qualify based on her income, but if she pays for daycare and/or insurance for her kid(s) that could change whether or not she's eligible for help.
I have lots of experience with senior citizens in my area. Contact the County Heath Department and ask them for the numbers of Senior Resource Centers where your aunt is. You should be able to get resources and referrals and someone to help your aunt utilize them.
I wish I was more familiar with Chicago, but seriously, you can find resources for her.
Best wishes!
I found www.asilverconnection.com to be very responsive and helpful in finding senior (and disabled) housing. The service is free, and they also have a newsletter and various useful links. Elderlife specializes in financial options for this age group - www.elderlifefinancial.com.
It might be wise to help her sell the house very quickly so it won't foreclose and she can still get some equity out of it.
Can she get into a senior hi-rise, assisted living complex that has different stages of care (i.e. independent living, partial then skilled care) so she can progress if & when she needs it. How is her health?
You can speak with the social worker at her doctor's office for living options. If she cannot afford her house right now, sadly, the next months won't be any brighter. Probably time to get her out of the house and access the equity in it for an apartment, or similar.
You might contact the Dept. of Aging:
Check out the resources at:
http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx
Good luck.
Well, does she have any retirement accounts???
Don't they factor in these streams of income too???
Is there an AARP in your area?
Or look on their website.
They have advice too for elderly.
http://www.aarp.org/
My Mom is a member.
It is a very good organization for elderly.
OR, do a Google search for "elderly services in Elgin, Chicago."
Without knowing her income I can't tell if she qualifies for any of these services. But, here are some resources:
She can get snap if she is alone and makes less than $1805/mo.
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30357
She can also get medical assistance just if she is older than 60
http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30359
She can also see if she would qualify for a section 8 voucher
http://www.ihda.org/ViewPage.aspx?PageID=134
Chicago is notoriously difficult to deal with in terms of getting benefits - If she can't do it herself she will need someone who can be relentless in making phone calls and following up with these agencies or her application will get "lost". I've only ever dealt with stuff in cook county and Elgin is Kane county, so I dont' know if that makes a difference.
Good Luck to you and your family!
I was just talking to my mom about this today. My Dad's pension has run out so they are coming up short $900/month. We are in Wisconsin, but I would think Illinois has some of the same programs.
Was she married? If so was her spouse a vet? There might be some programs available to her that way.
Otherwise, try here: http://www.state.il.us/aging/
What kind of help are you looking for exactly?
You have not given enough information to really help. If she is on social security she should also have Medicare for her prescriptions.
So far as where to live, who knows. There are quite a few programs out there but most likely she will lose the house. If her social security check is too high for assistance it should be enough for her to find an apartment so long as she is independent. If she needs assisted care then she is probably going to have to spend down to Medicaid status.
There is a 2-1-1 number in most large communities that provide a list of social service agencies in that area. Maybe you could have her call and get a list of contacts or if she is unable to do that, maybe she could get you a phone number to contact 2-1-1 for her area ((with an area code and number that could be called from out of state). Or maybe you could call 2-1-1 in your area and ask them if there is a way to be connected with resources in your Aunt's area.
If you google Partnership for Prescription Assistance you will get info on the patient assistance programs for most pharmaceutical companies in the country. Each has its own income qualifications, but you can enter your zip, your income level and a list of your medicines and it will give you a list of programs (and forms for those programs) that you may be eligible for.
What type of resources are you/she looking for? There are many assistance agencies, but need to know more specifics before you can find the right place.
