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Dec. 1, 2009
In this Issue …
1. Using Data to Increase Benefits Access
2. Asset Levels for Extra Help Stay Steady
3. BenefitsCheckUp® Adds Puerto Rico Food Assistance Info
4. Medicare Enrollees Can Estimate Retirement Benefits Online
5. More than 49 Million Americans at Risk for Hunger
NEW! Making the Most of Partnerships
A strong network of community partners can help extend your reach as you find and enroll people in benefits programs. But how can you make sure your partners are ready to help? See how AgeOptions of Suburban Cook County, IL, equipped its partners with tools to hit the ground running. Read our promising practice.
1. Using Data to Increase Benefits Access
Making use of data and knowledge sharing can enhance benefits outreach, enrollment, and retention and promote the efficient use of limited resources, according to a new issue brief from the National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment. Sharing data also can help enroll eligible individuals in more than one benefits program at a time.
2. Asset Levels for Extra Help Stay Steady
There will be no increase to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy/Extra Help asset limits in 2010. They will remain the same as in 2009.
3. BenefitsCheckUp® Adds Puerto Rico Food Assistance Info
The SNAP Application Form Service on BenefitsCheckUp® now includes information about Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program. General information and applications are available in Spanish.
4. Medicare Enrollees Can Estimate Retirement Benefits Online
Social Security’s online Retirement Estimator now provides immediate and personalized benefit estimates for Medicare beneficiaries. Individuals who have enrolled in Medicare but have not yet filed for Social Security no longer need to contact their local office to obtain an estimate of their retirement benefits.
5. More than 49 Million Americans at Risk for Hunger
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports that 49 million Americans are food insecure—a 36% increase over last year. The data reinforces a recent study by Feeding America, which found that its network food banks experienced a 30% increase in need this year.
Benefits Alert is published by the National Council on Aging. Jean Van Ryzin, Editor, jean.vanryzin@ncoa.org. Copyright ©2009. All content is copyrighted and must not be reproduced or distributed to others without written permission.
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, visit http://www.ncoa.org/.
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