BenefitsCheckUp and BenefitsCheckUpRx
www.benefitscheckup.org
A convenient tool for people age 55 and over to find programs that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. If help is needed to complete the form on line, you can call Council on Aging Information & Referral at 513-345-8643

Food Stamps
The Food Stamp Program provides you with assistance in buying food through the use of an electronic benefit transfer card. Your County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) determines if a low income household is eligible to receive food stamp benefits through the Ohio Direction Card. Listed below are the numbers for the CDJFS offices.

 
Golden Buckeye Card (sponsored by the Ohio Department of Aging)
800-422-1976
Golden Buckeye is a discount card available for residents of Ohio age 60 years and older and adults 18-59 with permanent and total disabilities. The program offers discounts on meals, entertainment, merchandise, and services at participating businesses throughout the state. This year the Golden Buckeye added a Prescription Drugs Savings Program. The Golden Buckeye Prescription Drug Savings Program offers savings on the purchase of prescription drugs. Seniors who have an Ohio driver’s license, an Ohio ID card or are registered to vote will automatically be sent a card in the mail. Cards will automatically be mailed each month to individuals who reach age 60 that month. The mailed packet will have information on how to use the Golden Buckeye Card. If you do not receive the Golden Buckeye card when you become eligible, you can pick up a Golden Buckeye application at a senior center or your local branch library.

Prescription Drug Savings - The Golden Buckeye card now includes the Ohio's Best Rx prescription drug discount program. Best Rx lowers the cost of prescriptions for Ohio residents who do not have drug insurance coverage for all drugs. Savings average 30-40 percent on prescriptions at more than 2,300 participating pharmacies. Any Ohio resident age 60 or older is eligible, regardless of income, and you can access the program immediately using your existing Golden Buckeye card. Call toll-free 1-866-923-7879 or visit www.ohiobestrx.org for more information, to look up drug prices, to find participating pharmacies and more.

Housing Assistance Programs (for more information see Housing Resources & Programs)

• Home Repair Programs
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Emergency Home Energy Assistance
• Program (EHEAP) and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
• Home Weatherization Program
• Property Tax Reduction, Homestead Exemption
• Reverse Mortgage
• Section 8 Vouchers and Certificates and Subsidized Senior Apartments

Medicare Premium Assistance Program (QMB/SLMB)
These programs are for individuals with low income to help pay for part of or all of the cost of health care. To apply call the County Department of Job & Family Services as listed under Food Stamps in this section. To obtain an application for the Medicare Premium Assistance Program (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary or Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary, QMB/SLMB) call Council on Aging, Community Resource & Information at 513-345-8643. The application can be submitted by mail to your county Department of Job and Family Services.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
800-772-1213
TTY 800-325-0778
SSI or Supplemental Security Income pays monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children as well as adults can get SSI benefits. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member’s prior work. In most states, SSI beneficiaries also can get Medicaid to pay for hospital stays, doctor bills, prescription drugs, and other health costs. SSI beneficiaries may also be eligible for food stamps

Call 800-772-1213 for an appointment with a Social Security representative who will help you apply. You can speak to a service representative between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on business days. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 800-325-0778.

 
Telephone Discounts: Ohio Lifeline 513-565-5433
TTY 513-381-6580
Cincinnati Bell provides monthly discounts for Ohio income eligible residents. You can automatically qualify for the $6.94 or the $12.19 discount if you receive one of these benefits; Public Housing, Section 8, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or HEAP. You can qualify for the $12.19 discount if your income is no more than 150% of the poverty level.

No Phone? Disconnected? 513-565-5433
Lifeline can help you get back on! Lifeline payment arrangements are available.
You can also obtain an application by calling Council on Aging^SM 513-345-8643

Elderlife At Deaconess Hospital: 513-559-2340
311 Straight Street
Cincinnati, OH 45219

• Free membership to those 55 years of age or older, or a Medicare recipient
• Benefits of Elderlife Membership include but are not limited to the following;
  • Assistance in choosing a physician.
  • Free parking in Deaconess Garage.
  • Access to Deaconess Resource Center.
  • Information and referral by Elderlife staff.
  • Special discounts on health and wellness services.
• Elderlife VIP for $20/year for some extra discounts and services.

Senior Care Preferred Plus of the Health Alliance: 513-585-6462
3200 Burnet Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45219

The membership provides a broad scope of services including assistance with prescription, hospital and dental costs, as well as screenings and educational programs. Counselors can help navigate through the complexities of insurance coverage to get issues resolved and bills paid.

• Single membership is $15 per year.
• Couple membership is $25 per year.

 
TriHealth Seniority (Bethesda and Good Samaritan Hospital)

Bethesda North: 513-745-1700
10500 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Good Samaritan Hospital: 513-872-3633
375 Dixmyth Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45220

Free senior membership program for those 50 and older.
Entitles you to receive:

• Personal health care information.
• Free and discounted health education and screening programs.
• Discounts on health-related products and services.
• No-cost discount prescription card.
• Help with Medicare and billing questions.
• Services nationwide from participating retailers.
• Special courtesies from TriHealth hospitals.