If you’re an older adult, or if there’s a senior in your life, you may not realize there are many benefits available in Illinois to make life a little easier. How about extra money for groceries, or free public transit cards, or $10 license plate renewals? Kelsey Gordon, community engagement benefits access specialist for AgeOptions Illinois, informs people about such options each day, and said it is important for older adults to know what is available to them.
“To reach out to us and just call, learn about what you may or may not qualify for,” Gordon urged. “There’s a lot of resources out there if you go to benefitscheckup.org or call the national helpline at 1-800-794-6559, it could give you some more information.”
Gordon pointed out nationally, older adults leave about $30 billion on the table in unclaimed benefits of all kinds. Gordon noted more than 8,300 older adults have received help so far this year from AgeOptions Illinois and its community partners in applying for various benefits. She added senior centers can also direct people to some of the perks and programs, and many resource counselors know about them, too.
“You can always reach out to an Aging and Disability Resource Network,” Gordon suggested. “Those are different kinds of community agencies that can also help older adults with Meals on Wheels, or getting a caretaker.”
AgeOptions is designated by the federal Older Americans Act and the Illinois Department on Aging as the planning and service agency for the 30 townships surrounding Chicago, and can refer people elsewhere in the state to other resources. It administers more than $15 million annually in federal and state funds for these services to older adults.
Farah Siddiqi
