Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas senior assistance programs.
Offering support to the elderly in Pasco and Pinellas County, the non-profit Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas provides help to the elderly as well as disabled as part of the Older Americans Act. Most of the programs, including medical, free food, medications and more are focused on senior citizens, however there is also help for the disabled in the community, regardless of their age or income. There are also a non-profit Disability Center.
Non-profit and government free food programs for the elderly or disabled
One provision of the Older Americans Act calls for access to free food assistance programs for citizens aged 60 and older. This segment of the greater Pasco-Pinellas County population is among the most vulnerable to hunger. Often, for someone that is older, good health is dependent on a healthy diet and millions of older Americans are not able to prepare their own meals.
In addition, many seniors as well as the disabled do not have access to transportation and can’t get to the grocery store or a local restaurants. The Agency on Aging will arrange for free Meals on Wheels in Pinellas as well as Pasco County. Seniors often reduce their food intake due to financial or health restrictions and this can have a negative impact on their ability to maintain their health and independence.
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas supported nutrition programs help prevent this outcome by connecting participants with support services. The resources arranged can include home-health aides, home modification, transportation and general food assistance programs. This may be a referral to a pantry or congregate meal sites.
ACCESS Florida Program, which is a partner of Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, administers the State of Florida's Food Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Seniors can apply for this as well. It provides financial assistance for eligible low-income residents to use for purchasing healthy groceries.
The typical household that applies for food assistance is two or more people living in the same dwelling who buy food and cook their meals together. Benefit amounts provided to them and who meet eligibility requirements are determined according to number of household members and remaining dollar amounts once certain expenses have been subtracted. Read more on how to get food stamps.
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco and Pinellas County Meals on Wheels (MOW) administers the Federal Older Americans Act's Title III-C nutrition programs throughout Pasco and Pinellas County. This will be for the homebound, whether they are disabled or elderly. As part of this service, there is hot lunches, Kosher meals, nutrition education, and holiday support. Meals on Wheels also offer in-home assessments, along with the following meal services:
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Congregate Dining was established to be a healthy and convenient option for anyone over the age of sixty. Many in this age group cannot afford nutritious foods or they lack the ability to select and prepare well-balanced food on their own. Others have have mobility issues that prevent them from shopping or cooking.
The sites will also help those that experience feelings of loneliness and rejection that have deprived them of the motivation to cook for themselves. Congregate Dining will result in no preparation, shopping or cleanup is required, and the meal sites offer not just food, but also the opportunity to socialize and even get some exercise. Free transportation is available across Pasco as well as Pinellas County at select sites.
Get financial help, grant money and aid from Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas
Utility bill help is also for seniors. The Florida Power and Light (FPL) ASSIST Program, which Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas has information on, directs customers to appropriate energy programs offered by a vast network of social service organizations located throughout the FPL service territory. Available energy assistance programs offered in FPL's service area include the following:
- LIHEAP – This is the main federal grant service, and is known as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Continue with LIHEAP in Florida applications.
- Various local charitable and church based programs.
- EHEAEP is the state of Florida Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program
- FEMA/EFSP: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
The EHEAP - Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program is focused on the elderly. It assists qualified low-income individuals or families who are experiencing home emergencies. To apply for a grant from Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, the household must include one person 60 years of age or older, be a resident alien who is eligible for federal benefits, have a past due disconnection notice, and have a total household gross income that does not exceed 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
The Home Repair Program makes minor improvements to owner-occupied homes that are necessary to preserve the safety or health of clients. It will focus on people aged 60 or older, with priority given to low-income elderly. Some people from Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas may receive free repairs. Others need to pay a minimal costs. In either case, financial and material donations are welcome.
Lawyers offer free legal advice, consultation and representation to low-income seniors. Assistance is available for the following areas:
- Applying for Health and Public Benefits – This includes Food Stamps, Social Security, Medicare, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, HMO's, long-term care.
- Housing assistance includes Landlord/Tenant disputes, legal aid to access public and standardized housing, eviction prevention as well.
The legal aid arranged by Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas helps with consumer issues faced by seniors, such as foreclosure defense, debt collection defense (including medical bills, credit cards, home improvement contracts), and also garnishment of Social Security.
Health, medical, and prescription drug help for seniors
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas offers free, unbiased counseling in regard to applying to various health plans, including prescription drug plans, Medicare, HMO, Medicaid,, and long-term care insurance. All counseling arranged by the Agency on Aging is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. When an applicant comes in for counseling, please bring a list of all of your medications, a current health insurance card; and Medicare card.
There are other programs as well that can help pay hospital or medical bills, and the Agency on Aging in Pinellas as well as Pasco County can help clients find resources. This may be a payment plan for hospital bills, grants to pay past due medical bills, forgiveness programs, non-profit credit counseling and more. The goal is to help reduce debts. More on hospital bill forgiveness low income.
The county of Pasco as well as Pinellas has an Information and Referral Program. This is for anyone from the region, regardless of age or disability. It operates as one source for information on a wide range of services that are available for the mentally ill, seniors, the unemployed, their families, and their caregivers.
Applying for help from Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas
The elderly, disabled, care givers and others can get help. The primary address is 9549 Koger Blvd N #100, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Call (727) 570-9696.
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