Emergency Financial Assistance for Seniors

Additional emergency financial assistance will be provided to senior citizens by eleven California social service agencies, thanks to contributions from the SCAN Health Plan. SCAN is a Medicare Health Plan operating in Arizona and California.

Because the health plan focuses on seniors, SCAN is acutely aware of the growing and unexpected needs of the senior population. These needs often include financial assistance for senior citizens, required for any number of reasons, from job loss to unexpected illness.

Need for Emergency Assistance Will Rise as Joblessness Increases

Each agency will receive a grant of $15,000 that will be used to help establish funds for one-time emergency assistance to qualifying seniors. Payments can cover a myriad of expenses including transportation, food assistance, utility bills, rent, home repairs and necessary modifications for homes to help with mobility, such as hand bars. The total commitment amounts to $165,000, split between the 11 agencies. It follows a prior dedication of $225,000 in 2010 to the same cause across SCAN communities.

This need for financial assistance for seniors will surely see an increase. According to the Census Bureau, the incidence of poverty increased by nearly one full percent for people aged 55 to 64 between 2007 and 2009. In addition, the current unemployment rate for the over 55 group is 7.3 percent, representing a two-fold increase over this period last year.

As older workers and retired seniors become the new poor, their need for emergency assistance will inevitably rise. Microgiving.com is dedicated to providing relief to those in need. If you would like to donate online to seniors in need of emergency financial assistance, or you may benefit from Microgiving’s help yourself, please visit our website.

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