Government Benefits You May Not Be Aware Of.

I was reading through an email sent to me by Caring.com, a site I just found out about this past weekend that deals with caregivers and seniors. In the site I saw a post called "9 Government Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On" It is under Government Benefits. It describes different areas of help your elderly parent or family member may be able to take advantage of. Here is a quick review of the 9 (take a look at the site for more information):

1. Social security payments to dependents: these are payments made to the spouse of the deceased or any children or stepchildren under 18 years of age. The widowed spouse must be over 62 or over 50 if disabled. If this spouse is caring for children under 16, then age does not matter. Grandchildren might also collect. Check with your local Social Security Office.

2. Shoes for diabetics: anyone who is diabetic and eligible for Medicare Part B and meet your yearly deductible.Then Medicare can pay for possibly 80% of the cost. You get custom made shoes and 3 pairs of inserts. You need to be under a doctor's care for diabetes management and suffering from serious foot problems. You will need prescription from your doctor or podiatrist. Please talk to you doctor or podiatrist to see if you qualify.

3. Free rides: for people with mobility problems and seniors who need transportation to appointments and activities. These may vary but usually it is a van that brings you door-to-door; you need to schedule it - need to make an appointment. Local aging service agencies will be able to give you more information.

4. Low-interest loans for small businesses affected by disaster: any business or non-profit damaged in a disaster, up to $2 million in low-interest, long-term loans. A lot of seniors still work, maybe still own a business; contact the Small Business Administration.

5. Home or car modifications for veterans: veterans with a disability can look into this. This is for a loan or loan guarantee to buy a house or car, or make modifications to an existing house or car. If you have a veteran family member take a look at the Veterans Benefits.

6. Free credit check: open to everyone. Just make sure you go to the federally authorize website to make sure you can take advantage of all 3 of the major reporting companies.

7. Therapy for Alzheimer's patients: for patient's with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia covered under Medicare Part B. You may be able to get out-patient occupational, speech, and/or physical therapy. Your doctor needs to prescribe therapy and use a Medicare certified therapist. If you have Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage might help.

8. Burial benefits for veterans: for veteran's approved for eligibility through Veteran's Administration. You get a headstone, grave site and maybe a burial allowance. This is normally in a national or state veteran's cemetery. The VA may help with burial in a private cemetery - just check.

9. Help with household chores: for those over 60 and disabled - you may get home, yard, and moving help. Check with a local service Agency on Aging to get the details. There may be a fee involved.