The cost of living in Arlington, Virginia is 44% more than the national average. With the higher cost of food, housing and slightly lower costs for healthcare and utilities, there is a need to support senior members of the Arlington community. This article discusses grants for seniors in Arlington. Keep reading.
Medical Grants for Seniors in Arlington
This program provides seniors with mental health services, including training and consultations in Assisted Living and Nursing homes. The program also offers referral services to eligible seniors. To qualify for assistance, you should be a resident of Arlington, 65 years old or older, or suffer from a serious illness like dementia. In addition, you should have a history or a risk of psychiatric hospitalization. Read more at https://www.raftnorthernvirginia.org/Home.
Personal Care/In-Home Services
It is a program dedicated to offering services to senior residents in Arlington. These services are designed to help elderly persons remain safely at home once they have undergone hospitalization. These services are provided from Monday to Friday, but some seniors can have access to special accommodations if needed. The program has trained staff to provide personal and in-home care services. The program services include light housekeeping, eating assistance, bathing, healthcare escorts, laundry, medication assistance, meal preparation among others. What are the eligibility criteria for program support?
Seniors aged 60 or older with physical or cognitive disabilities are eligible to apply. In addition to the elderly who have difficulty moving around independently, the program may also provide assistance to the elderly who are homebound. In light of your monthly income and medical expenses, you are responsible for paying for healthcare. Medicare, health insurance or Medicaid do not cover the cost of services. Find out more at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Aging-Disability/Programs/In-Home.
Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)
It offers free one-to-one insurance counseling services to senior Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers and families. The program has counselors who offer free counseling to qualified applicants. The program is available only to senior residents of Arlington County. The program services include individual counseling, resolving Medicare claims, help with understanding Medicare and long-term care insurance and Medicare classes among others. Read more about the program at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Aging-Disability/Programs/VICAP.
Virginia Medicaid
It provides medical coverage to eligible low-income senior residents of Arlington, Virginia. The goal of the Medicaid program is to improve the health of program participants and the quality of services they receive. Find out more at https://www.dmas.virginia.gov/for-applicants/applying-for-medicaid/.
Transport Grants for Seniors in Arlington
Residents with physical or mental impairments who are unable to use the rail system or bus can utilize MetroAccess transportation services.
It is available to seniors living in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) area. You must complete an application and get certified before booking trips. The cost of transport will depend on your destination. Read more about the program at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Aging-Disability/Resources/Transportation.
Housing Grants for Seniors in Arlington
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)
It provides safe, decent and affordable housing for low-income families and senior residents of Arlington City. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). How does the program work? The applicant must find suitable rental housing where the property owner agrees to use the voucher. Read more about the program at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Programs/Housing/Get-Help/Rental-Services/ACHCV-Program.
Utility Grants for Seniors in Arlington
Arlington County’s Department of Human Services
It provides heating/cooling and utility assistance. Is your utility bill in disconnect status? Well, then the DHS can help you with financial support through the Clinical Coordination Program. Read more at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Public-Assistance/Clinical-Coordination-Program. You may also have access to funds for installation services, late fees, furnace restart and home heating utility costs. Senior applicants can receive repairs and replacement of cooling equipment. To qualify, you must be a resident of Arlington and a U.S. citizen. You must be responsible for the heating/cooling bill if you are applying for heating/cooling assistance. Find out more at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Public-Assistance/Heating-Cooling-Assistance.
Food Grants for Seniors in Arlington
Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC)
It is a community-based non-profit food pantry committed to offering nutritious supplemental groceries to all senior residents of Arlington. The program allows low-income elderly persons to put their limited financial resources to other expenses, including utilities, housing and other basic needs. The goal of AFAC is to resolve the issue of food insecurity. Seniors are provided with free supplemental groceries. Eligible low-income elderly persons or their families can have access to food once a week. If you are looking for assistance with food, you may visit the non-profit for the first time without having to be referred by anyone or the organization.
Apart from free food, AFAC offers information resources to elderly persons to keep them updated about where they can source services. About 40% of the food distributed to low-income seniors in Arlington is from donations. The organization buys the rest of the food from vendors to ensure seniors get quality food. How much food can you receive through this program? Each family can receive about 30 pounds of groceries every week. Groceries provided include oatmeal, eggs, pasta, rice, chicken, fresh produce and canned foods. For more details about the program, please visit https://www.guidestar.org/profile/54-1473207.
