BenSpec News Corner by Becky Wendt, Benefit Specialist
My name is Becky Wendt. I am the new Benefit Specialist for Oconto County Commission on Aging. As your Benefit Specialist, I will act as an advocate to assist you with and other issues that arise. I will perform a Benefit Check-Up to determine whether you may be eligible for various public assistance programs and direct you to the appropriate agency. These include Medicare Savings Programs, Food Share, Medicaid, Badger Care, Home Energy, Social Security, and SSI. I will assist you in completing the application forms for Homestead Tax Credit, Senior Care, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D). In addition, I can help you with consumer issues, landlord-tenant problems, problems with benefits, and other legal issues by engaging the assistance of our appointed attorney, who specializes in elder law and program eligibility.
I look forward to meeting and working with you. Please call me with any questions you have, or to schedule an appointment me at (920) 834-7707.
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In 2011, the enrollment dates for Medicare Part C (Advantage) and Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) are October 15 through December 7. Plans may change from year to year, so it is a good idea to check your coverage options each year to be sure you are in the best plan for you. You may check your coverage at www.Medicare.gov , or call me for an appointment and I will assist you.
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Only one third of eligible elderly households are receiving benefits from Food Share. Similar programs, such as Fuel Assistance, Homestead Tax Credit, and Medicare Savings Programs are also largely underutilized in the state of Wisconsin. You may be eligible for benefits from one or more of these programs. Schedule an appointment for a Benefit Checkup today! Call me at (920) 834-7707.
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At times I receive information from our legal representatives regarding upcoming legislation or other program changes that might be of interest to seniors. For those of you who have access to a computer and use e-mail, I am collecting e-mail addresses for a list serve where I will send out broadcast e-mails to those who choose to receive them. If you are interested in being on the list serve, please send an e-mail message to me, beckywendt.occa@bayland.net and enter List Serve in the subject line.
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The latest reports indicate that Senior Care will be preserved as is. This is due, largely, to the recent petition drive that reaped over 14,000 signatures from concerned constituents.
