Senior Citizen Programs

An organization known as Senior Network Services is a place that retired people and senior citizens can turn to for help. The group provides seniors with information and assistance, home help, counseling, case management, shared housing, job training and employment services, family caregiver support, information and access to MediCare and health insurance advocacy, and money management (including debt assistance)  services. More details include:

• The first component, called the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), assists seniors those with Medicare to appeal denied claims, understand, review and evaluate their coverage, understand HMO's, Long Term Care Insurance issues, and increase their knowledge on Supplemental Health Insurance plans.
   
• The next resource they offer is the Debt and Money Management program. This will help seniors with paying bills, rent, balancing checkbooks, reconciling bank statements, reduce credit card and medical debt, making deposits, organizing records, and budgeting finances. It is intended to ensure people have the skills they need for long term success. Click here to find other ways to eliminate credit card bills.

Call Senior Network Services at 831-462-1433.

 

 

The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County

This is the local community action agency of Santa Cruz. They run a rent assistance program, known as the Shelter Project. This program operates and provides resources and services for people struggling with paying their rent and mortgage and people who are currently homeless. The program can provide funds and grants so families can avoid homelessness, possibly stop a foreclosure, motel and hotel vouchers for emergency medical situations, rent assistance to avoid eviction, general information on other services for homeless and shelterless people, and referrals to other federal or California assistance programs. A main offering they have is funds for offering emergency rent and mortgage assistance.

The agency also offers job training. This program provides job training, placement and retention assistance, along with comprehensive case management services for low to moderate income women to enter and retain higher wage “nontraditional” employment or who want to get back into the workforce.

Stop by or call the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County at (831) 763-2147 to learn more or to apply for help.

Grants for rent and energy bills

Last, but not least, Santa Cruz Catholic Charities ((831) 722-2675) offers a service known as Family Supportive Services, Immigration & Citizenship. This is for all people, no matter what your religion. This will provide food vouchers, free cash grants for rental and utility bill assistance. They can also offer immigration and citizenship services, as well as information on other low income and government programs.