Aging and Poverty News

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."

The Boston Globe, April 29, 2010: A little-known program helps seniors stay in their homes, but the final cost can vary widely

"Thirteen years earlier, Rossi had signed on to a little-known state program that allows low-income senior citizens to defer their property taxes until they either sell their homes or die."

The Boston Globe, April 28, 2010: Fight grows over shift of seniors' health plan

"Legislation that could push more than 100,000 low-income senior citizens in Massachusetts into managed care health plans spurred intense lobbying yesterday, as consumer advocates argued the measure would strip patients of their freedom to stay in traditional Medicare..."

The Virginian-Pilot, April 28, 2010: Portsmouth council votes to give money to poor retirees

"In a move to help financially strapped retirees, the City Council voted Tuesday to give $1,083 checks to former workers whose city benefits fall below the poverty line."

Centre Daily Times, April 28, 2010: County gives $25,000 toward low-cost housing for seniors

"Affordable housing for senior citizens was one of the needs the county’s 2005 study pinpointed. Since then, the county [has taken]... steps to make more housing available that low-to moderate-income residents can afford."

San Jose Mercury News, April 25, 2010: Joan Aragone: Funding dilemma faces seniors in assisted living

"He had moved into the category senior housing experts call 'assisted living.' Requiring help with some basic activities, he didn't need round-the-clock hospital care at a skilled nursing facility."

Associated Press, April 23, 2010: Report says health care will cover more, cost more

"In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors."

Chicago Tribune, April 22, 2010: Free bus, train rides to stay for elderly

"A push to eliminate free local bus and train rides to all but low-income senior citizens failed Wednesday in the Illinois Senate."

Sacramento Bee, April 22, 2010: Candidates address questions from homeless, low-income citizens

"Homeless and low-income seniors participated in the electoral process this morning as Sacramento City Council candidates and county supervisor hopefuls spoke and answered their questions at Loaves and Fishes."

The New York Times, April 21, 2010: Bid to Make Banks Fix Crumbling Bronx Properties

"This building in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx... went into foreclosure last year when Milbank defaulted... Since then, the tenants have been left to watch conditions deteriorate -- there are now more than 900 open violations on Ms. Paulino's Heath Avenue building alone..."

The New York Times, April 18, 2010: Graying in a Home, Not an Institution

"But her timing was lucky. By then, New York State had taken notice of all the mentally ill being discharged from hospitals and winding up homeless on the streets, and was paying for the first supervised community residences and apartment programs."

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