Help for Seniors in Arizona have lots of resources and organizations available to render assistance to them. The assistance provided ranges from food to housing and medical care. Phoenix and Mesa are home to the most organizations. However, residents of smaller cities also have local agencies that offer Help for Seniors in Arizona.
State Resources for Help for Seniors in Arizona
Arizona hosts several resources for seniors in the state. These resources are provided by Arizona Healthy Aging, administered by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The resources cover health insurance concerns, resources for veterans, care for patients with dementia, abuse prevention, etc. These resources can be accessed at https://www.azdhs.gov/prevention/tobacco-chronic-disease/healthy-aging/index.php.
Dental Grants and Benefits, Help for Seniors in Arizona
Dental care is one of the major concerns of seniors.
With age, oral health tends to suffer and the teeth become more vulnerable. By providing assistance with dental care needs, seniors in Arizona can maintain healthy oral health. Arizona Advanced Dental offers special programs designed to care for the needs of seniors in the area. The dentists at Arizona Advanced Dental offer subsidized oral health treatment for low-income seniors who come in to visit. They also provide free dental care where possible or provide seniors with resources that would enable them to get the free dental care they need. Seniors who are in need of dental care but are financially unable to get the necessary help needed can contact Arizona Advanced Dental by sending an email to laserdoc@smileaz.com or calling 480-504-1099. Residents of Mesa can also visit the doctor’s office at 3048 E Baseline Rd, Suite 128, Mesa, Arizona.
The state offers some dental plans to help seniors save on the cost of oral care.
The major plan offered is Delta Dental of Arizona and is available to Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) enrollees. This plan gives access to about 3,500 dentists who are part of the plan’s network within the state. Visiting these dentists helps save a lot of money that would otherwise be spent on a dental visit. The Delta Plus plan covers approximately 50% of major dental services. However, each case may be different and must be reviewed separately. There are no waiting lists for coverage under this plan. For further details on Delta Dental and other dental plans, visit https://www.azasrs.gov/content/dental-plans for Help for Seniors in Arizona.
Low-cost medical insurance plans are also available for seniors in Arizona.
These Help for Seniors in Arizona provide as much as 60% coverage of dental care costs and charge low annual premiums. Prices begin as low as $104.95 per year and cover a variety of dental care procedures. A full directory of several insurance providers can be found at https://medicarewire.com/dental-insurance/state/arizona/.
A list of other free dental care providers in various cities in Arizona can be accessed at https://www.freedentalcare.us/st/arizona.
Healthcare Help for Seniors in Arizona
The Medicare program
It is a federally funded subsidized health insurance program that is administered by the state. Under this program, low-income adults receive assistance in the form of discounted medical insurance payments. This covers a wide variety of medical procedures and associated expenses. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provides financial Help for Seniors in Arizona. Eligible seniors are exempt from paying monthly Medicare premiums as would have been previously required. This is done to ease the health care costs of low-income seniors even more. To be eligible for this assistance, seniors must be at least 65 years old and live in Arizona. There are also income restrictions on this assistance. A senior applying for AHCCCS must earn a gross monthly income of not more than $1,074, but if married, the combined gross monthly income should not exceed $1,452. Seniors who wish to apply can do so on the online portal at http://www.healthearizonaplus.gov/ or print an application from https://www.azahcccs.gov/Members/Downloads/DE103.pdf.
It should be noted that seniors may still have to shoulder the balance of their medical costs after insurance has covered most of them. The benefit of this program, however, is that seniors do not have to pay insurance premiums in advance. Seniors may also qualify for assistance with paying for prescription drugs and doctor visits. For further details, visit https://www.azahcccs.gov/Members/GetCovered/Categories/elderly.html.
The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) also provides counseling for Medicare beneficiaries and can help provide them with resources to obtain free healthcare.
Charities and organizations, Help for Seniors in Arizona
There are many charity and nonprofit organizations that render various Help for Seniors in Arizona to seniors living in Arizona. Duet is a nonprofit organization that provides different services for seniors. One of the major programs is aimed at making life easier for homebound seniors. Volunteers help seniors get groceries, offer rides to the doctor and even provide transportation for seniors to visit their friends. Volunteers are all over 18 years old and are subjected to a background check. This service is really helpful for seniors who can no longer move about freely due to their age or physical disabilities. However, they wish to continue living in their own homes. Duet also provides referrals for assistance when seniors suffer from dementia. There is no financial or income limit to qualify for Duet services. Duet services are available in Phoenix, Peoria, Glendale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills and Scottsdale (South of Bell Rd). Further details on the assistance Duet offers can be gotten from https://duetaz.org/homebound-adults-2/.
Justa Center
It is another charity that focuses on helping seniors who are challenged. It provides a range of services, Help for Seniors in Arizona such as providing resources for seniors, self-care education, clothes, informal counseling, or clinics for basic health care. Justa offers free legal services to seniors in need. Seniors who need to find a house can also contact Justa for assistance. This assistance includes locating a suitable place, sourcing funding, completing documentation, providing supportive services to ensure that seniors remain in housing, etc. Seniors interested in obtaining services can visit the Justa Center at 1001 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, Arizona.
Lend A Hand
It is a charity that provides free services to seniors to Help for Seniors in Arizona them age in their homes comfortably and safely. The charity aims to make living at home as comfortable for seniors as possible so that they do not have to move into unfamiliar environments like group homes. Some of the services offered include food box delivery, transportation assistance, visitations, minor home repairs and clean-ups, etc. For more information, visit https://www.lahseniorhelp.org/.
Several other charities exist in the state, with a similar mission to help seniors have a comfortable life and age with dignity.
These include Tempe Community Action Agency (www.tempeaction.org/), Northwest Valley Connect (http://northwestvalleyconnect.org/), Foundation for Senior Living (https://www.fsl.org/), Stepping Up for Seniors (https://www.steppingupforseniors.org/) etc for Help for Seniors in Arizona.
Financial Help for Seniors in Arizona
Seniors with small or no income can apply for State Supplemental Income (SSI).
This is an income relief program funded by tax revenues. The money provided can be used to meet basic needs like food, shelter and clothing. Additional details on SSI can be gotten from https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/.
Arizona seniors who are still able to work can register for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
This program is designed to assist unemployed and low-income seniors over the age of 55 and help them find employment for their retirement, determined by the highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage. For more information on the program, visit https://des.az.gov/services/older-adults/senior-community-service-employment-program.
Apart from government agencies, several. Charities in the state also provide financial assistance to seniors in need.
Food Help for Seniors in Arizona
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
It is a federal program that Help for Seniors in Arizona provide free food for low-income citizens. TEFAP serves qualified people so they can stay healthy. Participants can go to food pantries to pick up food items like vegetables, juices, fruits, etc. The items provided in the pantry are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration to be preserved. Congregate feeding sites are also hosted, where seniors can pick up cooked meals for consumption. Congregation sites may also provide additional services like transport assistance, legal aid, health screening, etc. Seniors do not need IDs to receive food from community feeding sites. They can simply walk in and declare their need for help. More information on TEFAP can be found at https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/food-assistance/emergency-food-assistance.
Seniors over the age of 60 can also benefit from the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
This is another federal program that meets the needs of seniors whose income is not more than 185% of federal poverty levels. SFMNP provides fresh, nutritious locally grown fruits, herbs and vegetables to low-income seniors in the state. Seniors can get a $50 SFMNP voucher booklet which can be used to purchase vegetables, fruits and herbs from Authorized Farmers Markets and Farm Stands. A directory of Authorized Farmers Markets and Farm Stands can be found at https://www.azfmnp.org/ for Help for Seniors in Arizona. For further program details, visit https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/food-assistance/senior-farmers-markets-nutrition-program.
A home-delivered meal Help for Seniors in Arizona
It is also available to cater for seniors who are homebound and would need food delivered to their houses. Details on the program are available at https://des.az.gov/services/older-adults/healthy-living/congregate-home-delivered-meals.
Housing and Home Repair Grants
Seniors in Arizona who wish to repair or rehabilitate their homes can get funding from several sources. The Arizona Department of Housing administers the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to help provide funds that seniors can use for emergency repairs. The funding provided can also be used to modify the house to improve accessibility for seniors with disabilities. Additional details are available at https://housing.az.gov/emergency-repairs-and-housing-rehabilitation.
Residents of Phoenix can also take advantage of the assistance provided by the Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department. Funds are used to improve systems, address safety concerns, mitigate hazards, etc. Other similar programs exist in Phoenix and can be found listed at https://www.phoenix.gov/nsd/programs/housing-repair-programs for Help for Seniors in Arizona.
Transport Help for Seniors in Arizona
Charities for Help for Seniors in Arizona provide transportation assistance for seniors in the state. Charities such as Stepping Up for Seniors and Duet help seniors schedule doctor’s appointments or buy groceries. The Lend A Hand charity takes transportation assistance a step further by providing help for seniors who need to visit their friends.
Help with Utility Bills
Seniors who reside in Arizona can get assistance paying utility bills through Project SHARE.
This is a program operated by the Salvation Army, in partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS) to cover energy bills for those in need of help. Seniors who qualify for the Help for Seniors in Arizona program can get up to $300 every year to use for their utility bills. Seniors can visit the APS website at https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Account/Assistance-Programs/Project-SHARE for more information on the program and eligibility criteria.
The Crisisill Assistance program
It is another program that can help seniors with funds to pay for their utility bills. Through this Help for Seniors in Arizona program, residents can receive up to $8$800 aear to pay for their bills. The program is managed by local community agencies located around the state. Additional details are available at https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Account/Assistance-Programs/Crisis-Bill-Assistance.
A 25% discount can also be obtained for elderly residents who are financially challenged.
This discount is applied to monthly bills and is provided through the Energy Support Program. An application can be submitted at https://e3.eligibilityprogram.com/?lang=EN. Seniors with disabilities or medical conditions can receive an additional 10% discount on their energy bills, for a total of 35% discount. More details on this can be found at https://www.aps.com/en/Residential/Account/Assistance-Programs/Medical-Equipment-Preparedness/Sign-Up.
The Arizona Department of Housing
It offers the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). A Help for Seniors in Arizona program designed to settle past due bills and mortgages is available. Beneficiaries of the program can receive up to a lifetime amount of $25,000 to pay for their utility bills. Interested parties can find details at https://haf.azhousing.gov/.
Other useful resources that seniors can refer to are located at https://www.maricopa.gov/2462/Energy-Assistance-Help-for-Seniors.
Grants for Senior Veterans, Help for Seniors in Arizona
The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) is a program set up to provide financial Help for Seniors in Arizona in need. The program provides funding for basic living expenses like rent, utility bills, vehicle payments, etc. Veterans in the state can visit https://dvs.az.gov/requesting-MFRF for more information.
Veterans can also get assistance from Arizona State Veteran Homes. This is a network of housing facilities across the state that provides nursing and rehabilitative care for veterans. The homes offer free telephone services, cable TV and internet services. Veterans in need of housing in Arizona can visit https://dvs.az.gov/services/veteran-homes to submit an application.
Several tax exemptions are also available to veterans in the state.
Also Read: Grants For Seniors in Arizona
