The Money Management Program is a free service that assists low income elders who are at risk of losing their independence due to an inability to manage their own finances.
There are two types of services through this program:
Bill Payer
This service relies on carefully matched Money Management Volunteers who go to the elder’s home once or twice monthly to help keep track of income and expenses. The volunteers assist elders who need help with bill paying and other routine financial tasks such as balancing the checking account, setting up a budget, writing checks and sorting mail. The elder maintains all decision making for their account. The volunteers are trained, insured and supervised.
Representative Payee
Tri-Valley, Inc. has an Organzational Rep Payee account appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income of an individual. Tri-Valley maintains the account and pays the consumer’s bills from the consumer’s monthly income. Consumers are given personal spending money dependent on their income and expenses. This program helps consumers who are unable or fail to pay their bills and are at risk of utility shut offs or evictions.
Eligibility
- Age 60 years and older
- At risk, due to unpaid bills
- Homebound, visually impaired, disabled or confused
- Within program income and asset guidelines
How To Know If Someone Needs Assistance
- Does the person know how many bank accounts he or she has and where they are?
- Are unpaid bills scattered around the elder’s home?
- Have any utilities been shut off in the last 12 months?
- Is the person newly widowed or recently discharged from hospital or nursing home?
- Does the person have limited mobility that makes banking difficult?
- Does the person complain about not having enough to make ends meet?
For more information about Money Management Services, or becoming a volunteer, start by calling Tri-Valley’s Information & Resource Department.
The Tri-Valley, Inc. Money Management Program is collaboratively sponsored by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Central Mass Agency on Aging, Mass Home Care, donations, and grants.