Apply Financial Help For Seniors

The information about financial help for seniors and the different related programs are explained, in short, in the following article. The task of finding financial help should become a bit easier with the data presented below.Old age brings with it, if you are financially not stable, the necessity to find help from government and other sources. The life retirement can be very difficult for those who have not planned for it properly. As the senior citizens run out of money, it becomes difficult for them to sustain and spend rest of the life after retirement. There are few financial assistance programs for disabled people which the senior citizens can benefits from. Let us find about financial help for seniors in detail through this article. Apply Today!!



Financial Help for Senior Citizens

The options of financial help for elderly people are provided in the paragraphs below. These programs and benefits are useful for seniors citizens since, they are left with limited source of income in their old age.

Social Security: The benefits of social security can be availed by people who have worked for minimum 10 years. These people are eligible for retirement benefits. Spouse of person who has worked for 10 years can avail the dependent benefits. The disability benefits are also offered through the social security program. If a person becomes disabled before his retirement age, he/she can avail these benefits. If a retired citizen and his/her spouse both have worked for minimum 10 years, the couple can avail double-benefit. It means that both retirement and dependent benefits are offered to them to smooth the rest of their days.

Tax Advantages: There are few tax advantages/benefits enlisted in the IRS tax code which are useful for senior citizens. Those elderly/senior citizens above the age of 65 years and who have filed either of the tax forms, 1040 or 1040A can benefit from the tax credit called 'Credit'. People over the age of 60 years can receive counseling from volunteers that are IRS trained and they also get help pertaining to free tax return preparation.

Government Programs: The 'Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program' (LIHEAP) provides financial aid for seniors in the form of grants in order to pay utility bills. Discount for senior citizens is given in the process of availing services such as the telephone, water, garbage collection, satellite TV, cable, etc. One must provide the age-proof in order to gain the discount benefits.

Prescription Assistance Programs: People who cannot afford to pay for prescription drugs can benefit from this financial help for seniors. The 'Patient Assistance Program' (PAP) is offered by pharmaceutical companies. Doctors and pharmacists can help in gaining more information about such programs.



Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program: The 'Senior Farm Direct Nutrition Program' (SFDNP) is used for providing senior citizens with checks. These checks can be used in purchasing Oregon grown vegetables, fruits and other herbs. Senior citizens interested in the program have to apply for it. Applications are processed at the SPD (Seniors and People with Disabilities) central office.

Senior Financial Care: It is a counseling program for senior citizens over 60 years of age. The different tasks in which senior citizens can be provided with assistance are bill paying, monthly expense management, bank statement reconciliation, credit counseling, medical insurance counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, credit counseling, fraud awareness, debt repayment and information referral. Information about obtaining financial help for seniors can also be found. The information about senior citizen discounts should also prove to be helpful.

The information about financial help for seniors is presented through different programs and schemes. Apart from the social security program and other government programs, there are private sources of funding and concessions available for senior citizens.

By Shashank Nakate

Source - buzzle.com/articles/financial-help-for-seniors.html



Friday 20 July 2012

Single Parents-Single Parent College Grants - Fake Or Fiction?

Single Parents-Single Parent College Grants - Fake Or Fiction?
Yes, there are scholarships and college grants for single parents available but you will have to dig down to find some of these opportunities. If you have ever wanted to know more about single parent college grants then this article will help clear up some of the mystery.
COLLEGE GRANTS FOR SINGLE PARENTS ARE REALLY AVAILABLE
To tell the truth, you will not find any grants that is actually entitled, "Single Parent College Grants". But what you will find is an interwoven network of grants and financial aid packages that are targeted towards certain groups of students. And of course a good number of these packages will overlap to cover the needs of many parents that are single.
The first step any parent wanting to return school, needs to do is to apply for a Pell Grant. Pell grants are completely needs based and don't have to be repaid. Since 1965 the Pell program has been the top choice for many single parent college grants.
Designed for financially troubled and low-income college students, this type of grant for single parents will not only help pay for tuition and books, but also some basic living expenses.
Since these grants are based on your income, you must provide the college a very detailed statement of your current finances and proof of your being a head of household. These single parent college grants not only cover single mothers, but any adult parent who has been divorced, abandoned or left as a sole parent by the disability, death or imprisonment of the other parent.
You must fill out a fairly standard form called the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All colleges and universities use this same form, so if you can use if to apply for more than one college grant for parents at different schools if you need to.
Once you have applied and been awarded a Pell Grant, the world of scholarships and single parent college grants, is wide open for you. Almost all private and public college grant organizations use the FAFSA and the Pell Grant as the first stepping stone to giving way other college grants for single parents.
There are other "needs-based" grants such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). While not designed especially as a parent college grant, the FSEOG is made to help students with exceptional financial needs.
But because this grant is awarded to the applicant with the lowest expected family contributions, it is quite often given to a single parent as a college grant. EFC (expected family contributions) are the amount of money that a family can afford to put in towards a parent's education. And like a Pell grant, this program doesn't have to be paid back. Now that you know the truth about single parent college grants, you will in a better position to learn more about these excellent ways to pay for a college education.
Pieter West travels the world on a regular basis and have written about numerous subjects. He has an extensive knowledge about, finances, DIY, parenting advice and many more subjects.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2852229
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Thursday 12 July 2012

Disabled Adults College Grants

Disabled Adults College Grants

There are many different opportunities which disables adults have when seeking out a grant for college. There are a variety of disables adults college grants if you look around, including ones such as the National Federation for the Blind. This grant allows those students who are blind access to many different scholarships and grants which can assist in the funding for a higher education. This organization awards money to those who are most in need each year, giving both small and large amounts which can significantly help students across the nation earn their degrees.

Disables students face many challenges in this day and age, even with certain modern conveniences and considerations being made to those who are not able to do certain things most others can. The Jewish Guild for the Blind is yet another program which offers funds to many students each year, providing the necessary funds to receive a higher education and earn a diploma in a certain field of learning. This specific grant is available only to undergraduate students, and can help many who have this disability to find their place and finish a four year college or university with a degree.

The National Association for the Deaf is yet another organization which offers grants to students in need. There are thousands of deaf students across the nation who have been given financial assistance, making it possible for them to attend a college or university to pursue a certain area they are interested in studying. This is certainly one of the better grants to consider for those who are deaf, and it would be a good idea to do as much research as possible on it before applying.

One of the more well-known schools which offer financial assistance to those who are disabled is Western Michigan University. Each year this university makes it a goal to give grant money to disables students who are most in need. For any disabled student who needs funding for school, it would be an excellent decision to contact Western Michigan University. They are uniquely sensitive to the needs of those who are in the deaf community as well as others who have various disabilities.

George Washington University is also an excellent school for disabled adults college grants, as they have an excellent program which gives money to disables students every single year. To find out more about the types of grants they offer and how you can qualify, you will need to contact their Disabilities Support Service. They will be able to help you get information on whatever you need.

With the rising costs of tuition and other university/college fees, it helps to have as much as you can get for these types of finances. There are many more organizations and schools out there which offer grants for disables students who need a solution to their financial troubles. If you are one of them, then you will certainly want to find out as much as you can about each one, because the more money you are awarded in grants, the better your chances will be of earning your degree sooner rather than later.



Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/college-scholarships-for-women.html

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Saturday 7 July 2012

Study funding for disabled students

Study funding for disabled students

Do I have to pay tuition fees?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland you can get free education up to the age of 19 (or up to 25 if you're doing your first Level 3 qualification). After this, ask the college directly if they offer discounts for disabled students, especially if you find it hard to work, or if you get a means-tested benefit. In Scotland, you don't have to pay fees for full-time FE courses. Part-time disabled students in Scotland can also study for free if they are on benefits.

Who pays for my disability support costs?

In further education you can expect your college to pay for extra educational costs. They use their Additional Learning Support funds (Scottish students get an Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance instead) to assist learners with disabilities or learning difficulties. Support includes:
Extra tutorial help
Sign-language interpreters
Changing the height of desks
Providing handouts on different colour paper or in a larger font
If you need a computer with special software the college should provide one for you to use on campus. However, it remains the property of the college and it's unlikely you'll be allowed to take it home.

Can I get any money towards transport?

The transport situation varies, depending on where you live. There are several organisations involved.
In England and Wales, under Section 509 of the Education Act, local authorities must make sure that students aged 16-19 are not prevented from attending college because of transport difficulties. They are encouraged to provide transport support to disabled students until at least the age of 21, and ideally up to 25. You can find out about the transport policy in your area from the DirectGov website.
In Scotland, it's best to speak to your college to find out if you can get help with travel through a bursary or Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance.
In Northern Ireland, every case is considered on an individual basis and you need to contact your local Education and Library Board (ELB).
In all areas of the UK, social services have the power to pay for transport, so it's worth asking them if you need extra help getting to and from college.

What can I do if I'm still short of money?

In England and Wales, each college has a Learner Support Fund which can help if you are facing financial hardship. You should contact your Student Support or Welfare Officer for help in applying.
A number of charitable trusts and foundations run their own grant schemes. Skill's information booklet Funding from charitable trusts lists those that support disabled students in particular.

Who pays for me to go to a specialist college?

If the type of education or support you need is not available locally, you may be able to get a place at a specialist college. Most of these colleges are independent and cater specifically for students with disabilities or learning difficulties. They are often residential.

You'll need to get financial support from the Learning and Skills Council or your local authority in England, or the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales. There are no specialist colleges in Scotland, and only one in Northern Ireland, but you may be able to get funding for a placement elsewhere in the UK through a bursary from your local education department or ELB.
A specialist careers or Connexions advisor should be able to help you and your family apply for funding. The basic requirement is to show that your disability needs cannot be met in a local school or college. Social services will contribute towards the costs of a residential college if the programme includes a lot of care and support for your daily living needs.



Source: http://www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/money/studentmoney/studyfundingfordisabledstudents

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Tuesday 3 July 2012

Students With Disabilities in Charter Schools

Students With Disabilities in Charter Schools

Charter schools have become a hot topic across the country, with the number of charters exploding in recent years. In the two decades since they were first established, charter schools have become a key part of the public education landscape. By 2008, more than 1 million students were enrolled in public charter schools—representing about 3 percent of the total population of students in U.S. public schools.16 Though many American students are now enrolled in public charter schools, there has been growing concern about how students with disabilities are served in the charter school environment. As more and more parents consider charter schools as an alternative to noncharter public schools for their children with special needs, special education in charters deserves a critical look. In this info brief, we examine the challenges and successes of special education in charter schools, including issues related to enrollment, legal identity, infrastructure, school choice, and virtual charters.

Challenges

While reports of discrimination, underenrollment, and "counseling out" of students with disabilities are alarming, researchers have found that many of the challenges related to special education in charters stem instead from a lack of knowledge, funding, preparation, or capacity.2,7 Charter schools may face several unique challenges when it comes to providing special education, including the following:

Enrollment of students with disabilities
Legal identity of charter schools
Special education infrastructure
Relative newness of charters
School choice vs. least restrictive environment regulations
Enrollment of Students With Disabilities in Charters

Critics of charter schools have argued that charters enroll students with disabilities less frequently than public schools, particularly when it comes to students with more severe disabilities, who may be more difficult or costly to educate.1, 2, 7 These criticisms are supported by anecdotal research suggesting that some charters had "counseled out" students with disabilities—that is, they had discouraged parents and caregivers of students with more severe special needs from enrolling in their school, suggesting that the school was not prepared to meet those needs.1, 2, 5 Adding to the controversy surrounding charters and students with special needs, comparisons of charters with noncharter public schools often highlight considerable segregation, with low-income students, English language learners, and students with special needs enrolled at lower percentages in charters.2

Confusion Over Legal Identity of Charters

Legal identity has presented a significant challenge for many charters when determining where and how to provide special education services. Depending on state law, a charter may be considered a separate local education agency (LEA), or it may be considered "linked" to an existing LEA. The degree of linkage with an existing LEA means that charters may occasionally share responsibility for special education with an LEA or may be solely responsible for service provision.1, 9, 12 These partnerships and allocations of responsibility can vary widely among states, and even within states. Confusion about who is legally responsible and required to provide specific services can mean that students with special needs do not get the services they need.


Source: http://www.ldonline.org/article/43436/

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Tuesday 10 January 2012

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

Information

A housing adaptation grant is available where changes need to be made to a home to make it suitable for a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability or mental health difficulty to live in.
The grant can help you to make changes and adaptations to your home, for example, making it wheelchair-accessible, extending it to create more space, adding a ground-floor bathroom or toilet or a stair-lift. In some cases, the provision of heating can be included, but only under certain conditions. Contact your local authority for more details.
If you only require minor work you can apply for the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme instead. However, you must satisfy the means test. If you don't satisfy the income limits for the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme you should apply for the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability.

Rules

The grant can be paid to people in:
  • Owner-occupied housing
  • Houses being purchased from a local authority under the tenant purchase scheme
  • Private rented accommodation (the duration of your tenancy can affect grant approval)
  • Accommodation provided under the voluntary housing Capital Assistance and Rental Subsidy schemes
  • Accommodation occupied by persons living in communal residences
Your application will be prioritised based on medical need. There are 3 priority levels:
  • Priority 1: A person who is terminally ill or fully/mainly dependent on family or carer; or where alterations/adaptations would facilitate discharge from hospital or alleviate the need for hospitalisation in the future.
  • Priority 2: A person who is mobile but needs assistance washing, toilet facilities, bedroom etc; or where without the alterations/adaptations the disabled person's ability to function independently would be hindered.
  • Priority 3: A person who is independent but requires special facilities to improve the quality of life, for example, separate bedroom or living space.
When the local authority receives your application, it may ask for an occupational therapist's (OT) assessment. The local authority can arrange for an OT assessment, but you can hire an OT privately to carry out an assessment and recoup up to €200 as part of the total grant, up to the maximum you are entitled to.

Means test

The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is a means-tested grant. This means your total household income is assessed to find out if you qualify for the grant and the amount payable.
Household income is:
  • property owner's (or tenant's, in the case of private renting) and spouse's/partner's annual gross income in the previous tax year
The following is not taken into account when calculating your household income:

Tax clearance

If you get a grant of more than €10,000 you must have a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. If you intend to pay more than €650 to a contractor, you must get your contractor to submit their C2/Tax Clearance Certificate to the local authority.

Starting the work to adapt your home

The grant will not be paid if you start work before the grant is approved. However, it is expected that the work will start within 6 months of your grant approval.

Rates

Priority will be given to people on medical grounds. If your household income is less than €30,000 you may qualify for 95% of the cost of the works (up to the maximum grant amount of €30,000). The proportion of the costs to be grant-aided will be tapered from 95% to 30% which will apply when household income is between €54,001 and €65,000.
If you are unable to get a loan from a bank or building society to pay for the costs not covered by the grant, you may be able to get a local authority home improvement loan. If your house is less than 12 months old the grant will generally not exceed €14,500.
If you are a local authority tenant, the local authority will meet the entire cost of the works.

Source: www.citizensinformation.ie