2-1-1 Get Answers, Get Connected
2-1-1 (Dial Phone Number 211) is an easy to remember telephone number that where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 is a free and confidential services that helps people across the U.S. find local resources they need. 2-1-1 is answered 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. United Way of America (UWA) and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support Federal funding so that every American has access to this essential service.
Website: 211.org
Public Housing Assistance
If you need public housing assistance or want to know more about housing choice vouchers or subsidized senior housing, use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website to locate your state’s local Public Housing Agency (PHA). The HUD website lists Public Housing Agencies by city and state.
Website: hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts
Nursing Home Search & Compare
Nursing Home Compare has detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid Certified Nursing Home in the country. A nursing home is a place for people who cannot be cared for at home and need 24-hour nursing care.
Website: https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=NursingHome&redirect=true
What is an Area Agency on Aging?
An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a public or private nonprofit agency designated by a state to address the needs and concerns of all older persons at the regional and local levels. AAA is a general term – names of local AAAs may vary.
AAAs are primarily responsible for a geographic area, also known as a planning and service area (PSA), that is either a city, a single county, or a multi-county district. AAAs may be categorized as a county, city, regional planning council or council of governments, private, or nonprofit.
AAAs coordinate and offer services that help older adults remain in their homes, if that is their preference, aided by services such as home-delivered meals, homemaker assistance, and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. By making a range of supports available, AAAs make it possible for older individuals to choose the services and living arrangements that suit them best.
Find your local AAA by visiting Eldercare.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116.
Website: eldercare.acl.gov
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
- People who are 65 or older
- Certain younger people with disabilities
- People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)
Website: https://www.medicare.gov/
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
Medicare
Medicare is an insurance program. Medical bills are paid from trust funds which those covered have paid into. It serves people over 65 primarily, whatever their income; and serves younger disabled people and dialysis patients. Patients pay part of costs through deductibles for hospital and other costs. Small monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage. Medicare is a federal program. It is basically the same everywhere in the United States and is run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an agency of the federal government.
Website: http://www.medicare.gov
Medicaid
Medicaid is an assistance program. It serves low-income people of every age. Patients usually pay no part of costs for covered medical expenses. A small co-payment is sometimes required. Medicaid is a federal-state program. It varies from state to state. It is run by state and local governments within federal guidelines. To see if you qualify for your state’s Medicaid (or Children’s Health Insurance) program, see: https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/eligibility/
Website: http://www.medicaid.gov
Medicare’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program
The Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program is the cornerstone of Medicare’s efforts to improve the quality of care and health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. The QIO Program offers information and assistance to providers, patients, and families regarding beneficiary complaints, discharge appeals, Immediate Advocacy, and Patient Navigation.
Locate your Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) – https://qioprogram.org/locate-your-qio
What is Social Security?
What is Social Security and how does it work?
Social Security replaces a percentage of a worker’s pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. The amount of your average wages that Social Security retirement benefits replaces varies depending on your earnings and when you choose to start benefits.
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/
Seniors E-Guide
The Seniors E-Guide publications are a web-based resource focused on learning about the variety of senior resources and services that are available.
Website: SeniorsEGuide.com