New Web Site Offers Seniors Information on State, Federal Assistance Programs

The National Council on the Aging has set up a new Web site that provides seniors with information on approximately 1,000 federal and state assistance programs for the elderly, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 6/5). The Web site, www.benefitscheckup.org, was created to help seniors "quickly identify" their eligibility for the programs. Seniors enter their financial information into a confidential questionnaire and the site determines which programs they qualify for and how to enroll in those programs (Benefits CheckUp Web site, 6/6). James Firman, president of the National Council on the Aging, said that the site was established to help the millions of elderly people who are eligible for but do not receive "important" government assistance (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 6/5).

Citizens for Better Medicare, a pharmaceutical industry-backed advocacy group, has launched a Web site designed to educate seniors about current Medicare reform proposals. The Citizens Commission on Medicare, located at www.medicarecommission.org, includes "detailed resources" on the history of Medicare, discussion boards and online chat sessions where participants can "interact with Medicare experts and elected officials." Tim Ryan, executive director of Citizens for Better Medicare, said, "The Citizens Commission Web site is an innovative response to seniors' desire for more detailed information about the best ways to strengthen and improve a program they deeply care about" (Citizens for Better Medicare release, 6/5).