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Financial Aid- Government Assistance -The Benefits Check Up sponsored by the National Council on Aging is an excellent website which provides a questionnaire for you to complete, without giving your name or social security number. Then you will receive a report on the various government programs in which you may be eligible to participate. For example, if your income and age are at the right level, you could be eligible for the Illinois Pharmaceutical Assistance program which helps pay for some prescriptions. The Government Benefits Checklist takes about 10 minutes to complete for a report on the government benefits for which you may qualify. Teacher’s Retirement System of Illinois provides retirement for all full-time, part-time, and substitute Illinois public school personnel, except for Chicago, in positions where ISBE certification is required. TRS benefits are retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Federal Employee
Benefits Program provides
health insurance benefits to Federal enrollees and dependents
under several different programs. There is a Fee
For Service Plan, a Point
of Service Plan, and a Health
Maintenance Organization Plan (HMO) . Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Medicare has a booklet available online for the information you will need about these programs and how they work together. Department of Defense Manpower Data Center gives access to expanded medical coverage known as TRICARE For Life , for a uniformed service beneficiary who has reached the age of 65, is Medicare eligible, and has purchased Medicare Part B. This is a permanent healthcare benefit. The Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials has several programs to help homeowners with weatherization, housing preservation and energy assistance. The office is located at 936 Broadway and their telephone number is 224-8171 in Adams County and (217) 285-5424 in Pike County. They also have fax service at 224-9145. Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) provides help to low income, elderly, and disabled to make their homes more energy efficient. Insulation, sealing cracks, inspection of and cleaning heating systems, and installing energy saving devices are only some of the services provided. The amount is determined by family size and household income. The Housing Preservation Grant Programs (HHP) is a single family, owner occupied rehabilitation program. And the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with natural gas, propane, fuel oil, coal, and electricity for low income people. Eligibility is based on income guidelines. There is also emergency service available if a household has been disconnected from an energy source. Financial and Health Assistance The
Circuit Breaker Program administered by the West Central
Illinois Area Agency on Aging provides a tax rebate for qualified
seniors and disabled people against their property taxes and other
taxes. The Circuit Breaker Program also offers help for seniors
paying for prescribed medications under the Pharmaceutical Assistance
Program. Also provided is a license plate fee reduction program.
A specific income guideline must be met. Call the Quincy Senior
and Family Resource Center at (217) 223-5700 or (800) 252-9027. Adams County Department of Human Services, 300 Maine St, 2nd Floor, Quincy, 223- 0550 or (800) 252-8635, administers the Food Stamp Program; the Emergency Food Program; Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled; and nursing home services as well as medical and financial assistance. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays. Supported by State of Illinois. The Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials administers programs and policies to aid the economically disadvantaged in Adams, Brown, Pike, Schuyler, Cass, and Scott counties. Quincy Township General Assistance, at 706 Maine, 223-4970, provides temporary assistance paying for food, rent, utility, medication, household, personal incidentals and medical assistance. The Homestead Exemption is available for people over
65 regardless of their income with a reduction in property taxes.
Contact the
Adams
County
Assessor’s Office at 521 Vermont Street in Quincy, (217)
277-2135. General Assistance Programs Illinois also administers a Pharmaceutical Assistance Program which provides co-pay services for seniors who qualify according to their income level. There is a co-pay for prescriptions including heart medications and respiratory medications as well as for generics for which there is a minimal co-pay charge. Needy Meds is a site that provides pharmaceutical discount cards for assistance with medications for people who have no insurance and can't afford to purchase their medicines. - Medicare, Medicaid, and other Health Assistance -The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) operated by the State of Illinois provides counseling and assistance for Medicare and other health insurance programs. For information contact Kathy Claunch, Program Director, Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), Illinois Department of Insurance, 320 W. Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62767-0001, (217) 524-1631, (800) 548-9034, TDD (217) 524-4872. Medicare The Medicare Health Insurance Program is available for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with End Stage Renal Disease. It has two parts A and B. Medicare provides health insurance coverage, however, it is recommended that individuals also have some type of supplemental coverage. A comparison of various supplemental insurance packages should be completed before the decision is made. Part A is coverage for in-patient hospital care and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers some in home care and hospice. Eligibility conditions must be met. If you paid Medicare taxes while working, this part costs nothing. Otherwise, you may still be able to buy Medicare insurance. Part B is medical insurance which helps cover doctor visits and outpatient hospital care. Part B helps pay for covered services and supplies if they are medically necessary. It costs $78.20 in 2005. It is wise to sign up for Part B in the beginning otherwise you will pay more for your coverage. There are different ways in which you can get your Medicare health plan. Depending on where you live, you may have several plans from which to choose. When making the choice of a plan that is right for you consider, of course, the cost including out-of-pocket expenses, choice of doctors, extra benefits such as prescription drugs, eye exams, hearing aids, routine physical exams; and quality. Original Medicare Health Plan: This plan is available nationwide for everyone. With this plan one will need supplemental coverage or Medigap insurance. This is a fee-for-service health care plan and you can go to any doctor, hospital or specialist of your choice as long as he/she accepts the Medicare payment. The Medigap policy (supplemental) is a health insurance policy sold by private insurance companies to fill gaps in Original Medicare Plan coverage. Usually the percentage the private insurance company pays is based on the amount that Medicare accepts as reasonable. You must contact your insurance agent for purchase of this type of insurance. Medicare Plus Choice: These plans are offered by private companies that offer Medicare coverage. There are two plans in this category: a managed care plan and a private fee-for-service plan. Medigap insurance is not needed with this type of Medicare policy. These plans both provide care under the Medicare Health Plan and help reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Also prescription drugs may be covered. Medicare Privacy Policy: Medicare is required to protect the privacy of your personal medical information. Medicare must provide you with the privacy notice which explains how Medicare may use or give out your personal medical information held by Medicare. They must provide information to you or someone who has the legal right to act for you; to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, if necessary; to make sure your privacy is protected; and where required by law. They may use and give out your personal medical information to pay for your health care and to operate the Medicare program; to pay or deny your claims, to collect your premiums, to share your benefit payment with your other insurer(s), or to prepare your Medicare Summary Notice. Medicare may use your personal medical information to make sure you get quality health care, to provide customer services to you, to resolve any complaints you have, or to contact you about research studies. By law, you have the right to see and get a copy of your personal medical information held by Medicare; have your personal medical information corrected if you believe that it is wrong or if information is missing, and Medicare agrees; (if Medicare disagrees, you may have a statement of your disagreement added to your personal medical information); get a listing of those receiving your personal medical information from Medicare which will not include information that was given to you or your personal representative, that was given out to pay for your health care or for Medicare operations, or that was given out for law enforcement purposes; ask Medicare to communicate with you in a different manner or at a different place; and ask Medicare to limit how your personal medical information is used and given out to pay your claims and run the Medicare program. The Notice of Privacy Practices for the Original Medicare Plan became effective April 14, 2003. Medicaid If your income and resources are limited you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs for some people with limited incomes and resources. Medicaid programs vary from state to state. Medicaid may cover services like nursing home care and outpatient prescription drugs that are not covered by Medicare. Your State Medical Assistance Office telephone number is available by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) For more information about PACE, call your State Medical Assistance Office to find out if the program is available in your area. - Veteran's Assistance -Veterans Benefits Find out eligibility for VA Health Benefits, how to apply, and what it will cost, then complete an application form online. For questions call the VA Health Benefits Service Center toll free at (877) 222-VETS. The benefits are standard enhanced health benefits generally available to all enrolled veterans. The Medical Benefits Package stresses preventive and primary care and offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services. Some of the services provided are outpatient medical, surgical, and mental health care, inpatient hospital, medical, surgical, and mental health care, prescription drugs, including over the counter drugs and medical and surgical supplies, emergency care in VA facilities, some emergency care in non VA facilities in certain conditions. Preventive care includes periodic medical exams; health education, including nutrition education; maintenance of drug use profiles, drug monitoring, and drug use education; and mental health and substance abuse preventive services. There are services that are partially covered and some not covered at all. The life insurance program was developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to get insurance from private companies because of the extra risks involved in military service and a service connected disability. Click on Life Insurance programs or insurance policy records. If you need a claim form or other form, these may be accessed on the internet as well. The VA provides a variety of benefits and services for veterans, their dependents and survivors, including service connected compensation, DIC, non-service connected pension, burial and accrued benefits, guardianship and public contact services. Online applications are available for Compensation, Pension and Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment benefits. This site provides an alphabetical listing of all benefits for compensation and pensions. The National Cemetery Administration provides a listing of all the national cemeteries. To confirm your eligibility for burial benefits call a Veteran’s Benefits Counselor at (800) 827-1000. Military Funeral Honors are also explained as well as a special Military Funeral Honors website which explains many of the aspects of this service. Additional Information: Department of Veterans Affairs - Social Security -Social Security Benefits The local Quincy office of the Social Security Administration is at 2401 Lind, Quincy, IL 62301. The telephone is (217) 224-8902. If you are calling long distance, dial (800) 772-1213 or TTY (800) 325-0778. The Social Security Administration website is available for additional information. Affect of Working on Social Security Working can increase your Social Security benefit in two ways:
- Charitable Organizations - The Quincy Ladies of Charity located at 510 S. 4th St., Quincy, IL 62301, (217) 222-6359, provide clothing, household items, furniture, and other items to people in need. They also provide emergency food to residents of Adams County. Salvation Army, at 732 Hampshire, 222-2087, provides many services to the public such as daily food distribution, community dinners, public meals daily, in addition to many other programs that are available. The Unmet Needs Committee assists individuals and families
in crisis who have used up all other assistance available. The Helpline
telephone number is (217) 224-1223. |