Julie Hilbert..

SENIOR MOMENT UPDATE

Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project – The Upper Midwest Pension Rights Project is a no-cost program designed to assist workers, retirees and their beneficiaries in understanding and enforcing their pension benefit rights. Contact CWAG at 800-366-2990.

Change in Burial Asset Exemptions – Starting Feb. 1, 2012 friends and family members receiving EBD Medicaid may contribute to an irrevocable burial trust up to a total of $1,500 in excess of the current $3,000 without the individual losing eligibility for MA.

Alzheimer’s Representative Ginny Nyhuis will be at the ADRC located at 50 N. Portland Street in FDL on March 7th from 10 to Noon. She will be available providing information, counseling and assistance for people who are caregiving for family members with Alzheimer’s or like dementia. Please call the ADRC at 929-3466 for more information.

New Procedure to apply for State benefits such as Medicaid and Foodshare. Starting January 2, 2012 the State of Wisconsin is changing how it handles Medicaid and foodshare cases by merging counties into groups called consortia. The goal is to improve customer service and better manage enrollment services. To apply for these benefits people of FDL County can call 1-888-446-1239 or apply online at www.access.wi.gov

Julie Hilbert...

SENIOR MOMENT UPDATE


Homestead Tax Credit – Still not too late to get assistance with your 2011 Homestead Tax Credit. If you have total household income of $24,680 a year or less and you own your home or rent you may be eligible for a credit back from the State of Wisconsin. Call 929-3521 for more details.

New SeniorCare Income limits – With the cost of living increases to social security checks income limits have raised for most of the benefit programs available.
Level 1 – Annual Income single $17,872 / couple $24,208 no deductible
Level 2a – Annual Income < single $22,340 / couple $30,260, $500 ded.
Level 2b – Annual Income < single $26,808 / couple $36,312, $850 ded.
Level 3 – Annual Income > single $26,809 / couple $36,313, spend down plus $850 deductible.

Attention Baby Boomers!!! If you are confused as to what to do once you turn 65 and are Medicare eligible and need advice on the different types of insurance and prescription drug coverage. Please contact Julie Hilbert at the Department of Senior Services for a one on one consultation to clarify the confusion.

When I’m 65 presentations are also being scheduled for 2012.
April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. at the FDL Public Library or
May 9th at 1:00 at the FDL Senior Center.