Assistance from Broward County Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County.
With the large percentage of senior citizens in the county, the Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center offers those that qualify a number of assistance programs. They range from food, meals, and other basic needs to applications for government benefits. Some of them include utility and cooling bill assistance or SSDI disability benefits. A number of resources are available from the center.
Information is available from a countywide hotline. The agency operates the official Elder helpline for all of Broward County Florida. This particular program provides every senior citizen, their caretakers or disabled resident with a so called “one-stop shop” for getting information regarding social and emergency services in Broward County.
The hotline, which is free to use, will also serve people with severe and persistent mental illness, the disabled, their families and caregivers. Highly trained information and referral specialists are ready to provide answers regarding your needs around senior assistance programs and local providers, whether they are private or publicly funded. The staff members speak different languages, and can assist in Spanish, English and Creole, among other languages. The main office is at 5300 Hiatus Road, Sunrise, Florida 33351. Or call (954) 745-9779.
Nutrition Assistance Programs are available by the center and partner agencies. Senior individuals aged 60 and older, as well as the homebound, are the most vulnerable population affected by hunger. Way too many local families in the county cannot prepare proper meals on their own. Studies show that when an elderly person reduces the amount or quality of their food intake due to health problems or financial restrictions, they put their lives at risk. So across Broward County Florida a number of nutrition assistance programs should be, and are, currently available to reduce hunger in the elderly. These programs connect seniors and older adults to support services including transportation to a store, home-health aides, home modification and any needed food assistance.
Another challenge is that a number of seniors do not have access to transportation or a ride to pick up needed supplies or groceries. With the help of the ADRC Project Family’s Senior Center, free or low cost transportation services are made available for Broward County Senior Citizens. For additional information on this service, contact the senior center near you.
Meals on Wheels is available throughout the county. The regions population of senior citizens is the largest in state of Florida and really in the entire U.S. This then in effect makes the service one of the largest in the region. The contact number to call regarding Broward Meals on Wheels is (954) 731-8770.
There are two types of meal programs provided by Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center, and they include Congregate Dining and Home Delivered Meals.
The first option, Congregate meals, are available at several centers to anyone over the age of 60. In addition to the advantages of getting a very low cost (or maybe even free) healthy meal that requires no shopping, every site also offers social activities. Free transportation to the locations is available as well to those that need it. As noted above, the second option of Home Delivered Meals Program is for those that can’t make it out of their home or that are living in an isolated location.
For those that want them, Kosher meals are available in both programs. The David Posnack Jewish Community Center administers a countywide program through Broward Meals on Wheels.
Carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and minor repairs are tough tasks for the elderly. Many of them surely need external help on these activities. Home Touch provides these services to preserve health and safety of clients who are 60 years of age or older and it can keep them living in their own homes.
It is administered by the Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center as well as the Minority Builders Coalition, Inc. Priority is given to the working poor and/or low-income elderly. The Home Touch Office is located at 665 SW 27th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, with a contact number as (954) 792-1180.
Seniors can receive assistance in the form of free unbiased counseling on medical needs. Get advice on Medigap, Medicare, HMO, Medicaid, Low cost Prescription Drug Plans, and Long-Term Care Insurance. This is available at designated Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center locations in the County. All counseling is on first-come, first-served basis.
For those that need food or referrals to public aid, the State of Florida’s ACCESS is a partner organization. This helps low-income households buy healthy food. If a resident becomes eligible to receive assistance, the amount of benefits depends on the number of members and on the expenses incurred.
EHEAP is a type of utility bill assistance program. Based on funding levels, it provides assistance for home-energy emergencies to qualified, low-income households. To qualify for financial aid, the family must have at least one senior aged 60 years or older. Applicants will also need to meet income limits, and they must be residing in Broward County. In addition, a disconnection notice must have been received by the homeowner as well. (954)745-9779.
The Florida Power and Light (FPL)’s ASSIST Program encompasses a vast network of social service and charity organizations located throughout their service territory. Clients can obtain a referral for energy assistance, including conservation measures. An FPL Customer Care Representative or staff from Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center can refer families to the necessary programs and services by providing information and referral phone number.
Free legal aid or representation is available from the Broward Aging and Disability Resource Center as well as the Senior Citizen Law Project. They work together to provides legal advice, guidance and representation to Broward County residents who are sixty (60) years of age or older. The project helps with legal problems in the following areas:
- Housing – such as eviction prevention, landlord/Tenant Problems, Public Housing, and foreclosure counseling.
- Get help with Health and Public Benefits such as Social Security and Supplemental (SSI), Food Stamps, Medicaid, Medicare.
- Long-Term Care Consumer issues. This may be Bankruptcy counseling, Foreclosure Defense, Debt Reduction issues, and more.
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