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May 2006 Vol. 25. No. 5
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
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Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
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McKinleyville seniors
by Danna Bates At our luncheon in April Charlotte Stewart from Redwood Community Action Agency was our guest speaker. She informed us of several programs that are designed with seniors in mind. The Home Energy Assistance Program is a once-a-year program that can help those age 60 and older. This program started March 20 and continues through Dec. 1. Here how it works. It is based on monthly income and the number of people in the household. Your monthly income cannot exceed the limits on the following chart: Household size Monthly Income1 $1,763.15 2 $2,305.65 3 $2,848.16 4 $3,390.67 5 $3,933.17 6 $4,475.68 If you meet the income qualifications you will get one of the following:
You will get this just once in the year you apply and you may apply every year. How do you apply? Call 707-444-3831, ext. 202 or ext 201. Once you are on the list, you are guaranteed funds. Sounds too good to be true? Well, there is one drawback - it takes months to get it. So you need to get on the list now; be patient and it will come. It takes time to process all the requests and serve everyone. This is not the only program that will help. They have another energy-saving program - free weatherization. They will come into your home and replace any broken windows, add weather stripping, check the attic, fix or replace showerheads and check your gas appliances. If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1992, it will be replaced with a new one. If you do not have a microwave they can provide you with one. There is no cost to you for this program. To get on the list for this program, call the same number, 707-444-3831, ext. 202 or 201. I also learned several tips from Charlotte. She explained that every time you turn on your hot water to wash your hands your water heater heats all 30 gallons in the tank for the less than a gallon you used. Her suggestion was to use moist towel wipes or use the cold water to avoid heating 30 gallons of water to wash your hands. The tip that surprised me the most was that we should not put any items on the top of our refrigerators. Doing this reduces the air circulation for the unit, shortens the life and decreases its efficiency. I have always used the top of my refrigerator as a shelf. If you want to use the space above the refrigerator, put a shelf on the top that will allow air flow under it. Partnership for Prescription Assistance There is a new free program called Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). Talk- show host Montel Williams is the spokesman for this new program. PPA is working with 45 of America's top pharmaceutical companies to help make medicines available to patients of all ages who cannot afford them. PPA is a clearing house of information on all drug programs for people who need help. The program is easy to use. You may go on line at www.PPARx.org or call 888-477-2669. When you call, give them the names of all the medications you use, the number of people in your household, the yearly income and any drug coverage that you have. The income level can vary from company to company. Some can be as high as $40,000 a year and still qualify. They will be able to tell you which programs you would be eligible for and will mail the forms to you. There are a few companies that you call directly to request the forms. If that is the case they will give you the phone numbers. This a free service open to all ages. If you know someone who is unable to get the medications they need, please pass this information on. Danna Bates is director of the McKinleyville Senior Center. |
Senior News