National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment

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It is estimated that up to 4.4 million low-income beneficiaries are eligible for, but not receiving, low-income subsidies under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. Many older Americans are eligible for, but not receiving federal and state benefits ranging from income supplements to energy assistance to health care assistance. In recognition of this need, in 2006, the OAA was amended with language directing AoA to provide technical assistance to States, Area Agencies on Aging, and service providers to carry out outreach and benefits enrollment assistance, particularly to older individuals with greatest economic need, for Federal and State programs providing benefits including: (i) Supplemental Security Income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act; (ii) Medical Assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act; (iii) Benefits under the Food Stamp Act of 1977; or (iv) Benefits under other applicable programs. Further, in reauthorizing the Act Congress directed AoA to work with an experienced entity to establish a National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment to: (i) Maintain and update web-based decision support and enrollment tools and integrated, person-centered systems designed to inform older individuals about the full range of benefits for which the individuals may be eligible under Federal and State programs; (ii) Utilize cost-effective strategies to find older individuals with greatest economic need and enroll the individuals in the programs for which they are qualified; (iii) Create and support efforts for Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), and other public and private State and community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations and coalitions, to serve as benefits enrollment centers for the programs; (iv) Develop and maintain an information clearinghouse on best practices and cost-effective methods for finding and enrolling older individuals with greatest economic need in the programs for which the individuals are eligible; and (v) Provide, in collaboration with related Federal agency partners administering the Federal programs, training and technical assistance on effective outreach, screening, enrollment, and follow-up strategies.

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