At last week’s Age+Action conference in Washington, DC, speakers representing a wide range of organizations and states discussed the current state of elder economic security. Several speakers referenced tools that may be valuable to counselors as they seek to increase benefits outreach, streamline the enrollment process, and improve clients’ financial well-being.
Here are five key resources that were highlighted:
- SNAP Sample Deduction Worksheet. Older adults (aged 60+) and persons with disabilities are subject a net income test when applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This net income calculation takes into account several deductions based on household composition, medical expenses, and standard utility allowances. Use this sample worksheet developed by Georgia Legal Services Program to understand how to apply these deductions when calculating your clients’ net income and possible SNAP benefit amount.
- 10 opportunities to better serve dually eligible individuals. This 2018 memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to state Medicaid directors outlines 10 strategies – none of which require complex demonstrations or Medicare waivers – to better serve individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, including through new developments in managed care, using Medicare data to inform care coordination and program integrity initiatives, and reducing administrative burden for dually eligible individuals and the providers who serve them.
- Follow
Your Path to Medicare Infographic. People turning 65 have
numerous options when it comes to Medicare, and this can become even more
complex if they have existing insurance. This infographic offers a decision
support path that guides those aging into Medicare with understanding the
options available to them, and where to get help with their decision-making.
- Promising
Practices in Senior SNAP Enrollment. Throughout the conference, representatives from NCOA, Feeding
America, Meals on Wheels America, and our Benefits Enrollment Centers shared examples
of practices related to outreach, application assistance and follow-up, and
advocacy that have been used to successfully increase seniors’ enrollment into
SNAP. Learn more in our promising practices brief.
- CFPB
Financial Well-Being Scale. The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) has developed and tested a set of questions to measure financial
well-being. The scale is designed to help quantify the extent to which
someone’s financial situation and financial capability provide them with
security and freedom of choice. CFPB has a companion guide that describes the
research behind the CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale and provides detailed steps
for using it, including how to score individuals’ responses and compare their
scores.
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