Aging and Poverty News

Green Bay Press-Gazette, July 28, 2010: Mason Manor addition remains on schedule

"A $1.5 million construction project to add storage space and an elevator to a public housing facility in Green Bay for low-income elderly and disabled people still is on schedule despite a rainy July."

Sarasota Herald Tribune, July 23, 2010: Helping seniors live on their own has many advantages

"Yet not all seniors have had those advantages and for them, aging is a far more dismal picture. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs estimates that more than 400,000 state residents over 60 live below the poverty line and that 800,000 Floridians over 65 are medically underserved."

The Washington Post, July 17, 2010: SW residents want temporary shuttle to become permanent

"The Shuttle-Bug operated between G and M streets SW... providing service to thousands of residents in that area. One of them, Barbara Tillman, said the shuttle had become 'the heartbeat' of the community for many low-income and elderly residents."

The Washington Post, July 15, 2010: Retirement picture can be scary, but don't shield your eyes

"Washington-based EBRI continues to be at the forefront of sounding the alarm that we ought to be more aggressive in preventing people from falling into poverty in their senior years."

The Boston Globe, July 13, 2010: Seniors losing an ally

"On Aug. 13, Feingold, 80, will step down as president of Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly, a 45-year-old nonprofit with apartment complexes in Brighton and Newton that provide subsidized housing for low-income seniors."

The New York Times, July 7, 2010: Language Help for New York Immigrants Using City Services Falls Short of Goals

"Uk Do Lee, 81, a retired inventor from South Korea, said he had been trying since April to apply for subsidized medical coverage for low-income older people. The first thing he told a caseworker at one of the agency's offices... was, ''Korean -- no can speak English...''

Sarasota Herald Tribune, July 7, 2010: Eye surgeries restore mobility

"Whittle is one of 29 patients who received cataract surgery... Mission Cataract donates one day of surgery to people without the means to pay. To qualify, applicants must be a U.S. citizen without insurance and at or below the national poverty level."

Reno Gazette-Journal, July 6, 2010: New service provides free cell phone for low-income families

"Lifeline was created 25 years ago to ensure landline phone access was affordable to rural and poor communities. Now, TracFone Wireless has announced a new lifeline program that provides a free cell phone and 60 minutes of free monthly time for emergencies for low-income...[and] elderly..."

The Columbus Dispatch, July 1, 2010: Help available to keep cool, pay power bills; Elderly, infirm qualify for an air conditioner

"Part of the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program, the crisis program offers relief for homes with elderly or medically needy people: up to $175 in energy-bill help or an air conditioner. Help becomes available today."

The Daily Journal, June 29, 2010: Farm market produce vouchers available for Atlantic County seniors

"Low income Atlantic County residents, age 60 and older are encouraged to take advantage of the state's farm market produce voucher program... that provides an opportunity to purchase locally grown produce using $20 worth of free vouchers."

The Arizona Republic, June 18, 2010: Struggling older workers get help with the job hunt

"Their jobless rate may be lower than average, but when an older worker loses a job, it can be devastating. These workers, typically 55 or older, aren't ready to retire. But their years of work experience don't make regrouping to find the next job any easier."

The Associated Press, June 16, 2010: Neb. seniors can get free farmers' market food

"Low-income seniors in Nebraska can stock up on farmers' market food with help from a federal grant. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture says more than $253,000 is available under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program."

Los Angeles Times, June 15, 2010: (Op-Ed) Deficit thinking

"Social Security and Medicare are not broken. They are successful, popular programs that protect America's elderly from poverty. Cutting them would be devastating."

Courier-Post, June 11, 2010: Senior housing funds approved

"Trommelen said this housing project will help satisfy Delanco's state-mandated affordable housing plan to provide more homes for low- and moderate-income residents."

The Courier-Journal, June 10, 2010: Medicare sending $250 checks to partly close the "doughnut hole"

"You're eligible if you have a Medicare prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage health plan that includes prescription coverage, and you are not receiving extra drug benefits from Medicare because of low income."

The Associated Press, June 2, 2010: Study finds W.Va. seniors beset by living expenses

"A new report highlights an economic crisis facing West Virginia's large senior population. The study released Wednesday finds more than one in 10 residents age 65 or older at or below the federal poverty line. One-fourth rely entirely on Social Security. Most are women."

Chicago Tribune, May 30, 2010: 3,500 senior homes -- and counting

"The buildings usually don't offer meals or services. But also included among the buildings are three new assisted-living facilities for low-income seniors, along with a building for those with memory loss."

Buffalo News, May 22, 2010: (Op-Ed) Saving Social Security

"Medicare, which pays for the skyrocketing cost of health care for seniors, will be a much harder nut to crack. Fix Social Security first, and it will be a little bit easier."

The San Luis Obispo Tribune, May 21, 2010: Programs for frail elderly may be cut

"The Supplemental Security Income and State Supplementary Payment program also is threatened. Carlson said it 'serves as the foundation for the ability of low-income senior citizens to survive.'”

Chicago Tribune, May 19, 2010: Senior housing complex tabled

"Heartland Housing Executive Director Andrew Geer said there is a need for affordable senior housing in the area. About 90 percent of the apartments would be subsidized for low-income senior citizens."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 12, 2010: Keep tax rebate, AARP urges

"A group of advocates for the poor and elderly, including AARP, on Tuesday called on Gov. Sonny Perdue to veto legislation that would eliminate income tax rebates of $26 to $52 that go to low-income Georgians."

South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 7, 2010: Thousands of seniors miss out on Medicare drug help

"The program, known as the low-income subsidy, covers all or part of what seniors pay for drug coverage, from monthly premiums of their drug plans to annual deductibles to drug co-payments."

Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 3, 2010: Tax freezes for the elderly and disabled are costing cities

"But Dick Lavine, a senior fiscal analyst with the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities, a think tank focused on issues affecting low-income Texans, said proponents of the freeze ignore the effect of inflation in the long run."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 2, 2010: Longtime workers go back to school

"Meanwhile, applications have jumped about 40 percent in the past 18 months at Experience Works, an Arlington, Va.-based nonprofit that provides federally funded employment retraining for low-income people over 55 years old in 30 states, including Georgia."

The Associated Press, April 30, 2010: Late amendment cuts low-income tax credit for poor

"A low-income tax credit for people who earn less than $20,000 has been eliminated. The bill will likely affect many seniors. The Senate voted 40-9 and the House voted 97-62 Thursday to approve the measure, which was originally intended to offset sales taxes paid by the poor."

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