Financial Advocacy Program: Senior Corps: Economic Opportunity

Recognizing that financial education and access to public benefits are crucial for low-income New Yorkers to effectively manage their money and gain financial stability, the Community Service Society’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program developed the Financial Advocacy Program, a highly successful and innovative project that helps people obtain needed benefits and services. In 2011, the program’s team of 80 well-trained, older adult volunteers provided benefits counseling and/or financial coaching to 4,500 people including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, families with low-income, and individuals who are unemployed. The volunteers serve one day a week in over 60 organizations which include hospitals and community-based agencies throughout NYC, some of which are food pantries, job training programs, programs for the formerly incarcerated, libraries, substance abuse programs, and senior centers.

The volunteers help people fill out applications for disability benefits, health insurance, food programs, and housing. They have been trained to assist with18 different benefits. They screen people for eligibility and tell them how to apply. They help people understand complicated agency notices, resolve problems with agencies, or file fair hearings. Most of the work is focused on assisting people with health insurance including Medicaid and Medicare. Many seniors are unaware of programs that help them pay for the Medicare Part B premium or provide assistance with their Part D prescription benefit. They also assist with food stamp applications and help locating food pantries. They work with individuals with disabilities making sure they receive health care and disability benefits.

Eleanor Rainford, a retired teacher, has volunteered with the program for 25 years at Columbia University Medical Center helping thousands of clients navigate the confusing public benefits system. She feels that “helping clients make connections so they don’t feel alone and helpless is more important today than ever before. We’re often helping people get the assistance they need to survive”. Maria, a cancer survivor and long time client of Eleanor’s, describes her as a “guardian angel”. Eleanor helped her through the difficult process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance when Maria could no longer work and was unable to manage the process on her own.

Volunteers are also trained to serve as financial coaches working one-on-one with individuals in the following areas: creating a budget and setting financial goals; reducing debt; obtaining and reviewing credit reports; and opening bank accounts and avoiding fringe banking services. The volunteers work with individuals on an ongoing basis providing education and support with the goal of improving financial health. The overwhelming majority of clients face problems associated with credit and debt resulting from unemployment or a reduction in work hours. Anne Davis, a former attorney, says of her coaching experience, “I don’t want people to feel alone. So many of my clients are people who, even in this horrendous economy, are working hard at getting themselves to a better place.” Please join us in recognizing the extraordinary service these volunteers give in support of economically disadvantaged New Yorkers.