The Senior Health Insurance Program (S.H.I.P.) is a free statewide health insurance counseling/education service for Medicare beneficiaries of all ages and their caregivers. S.H.I.P. is sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging. To read more about S.H.I.P., visit their website.
S.H.I.P. counselors are trained to educate consumers and answer questions about Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Medicare Supplements. Senior Services Plus, Inc. has two full-time S.H.I.P. counselors that can help individuals apply for programs that could potentially make Medicare more affordable such as Extra Help and the Medicare Savings Program. S.H.I.P. counselors also utilize Medicare’s website to help Medicare beneficiaries enroll in drug coverage. To schedule an appointment to meet with a S.H.I.P. counselor at our Alton facility, please call 618-465-3298 ext. 112 or ext. 115. To find a S.H.I.P. counselor in your area, please call 800-252-8966.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (L.I.H.E.A.P.) is a federal program that provides energy assistance to low-income households, targeting those who are truly vulnerable: the disabled, elderly, and families with preschool-age children. Monthly household income determines a person’s eligibility for L.I.H.E.A.P. as the program has income restrictions. Please note that SSP can only file L.I.H.E.A.P. applications for Madison County residents that are 60 years of age or older. L.I.H.E.A.P. applications are done by appointment only and specific documentation is required to apply. To schedule an appointment or to obtain additional information on L.I.H.E.A.P., call 618-465-3298 ext. 112 or 115. To find out which facility you should contact to apply for L.I.H.E.A.P. based on the Illinois County you reside in, visit https://www.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/HomeWeatherization/CommunityActionAgencies/Pages/default.aspx.
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid has a paralegal come to Senior Services Plus, Inc. a few times a month. The paralegal helps low-income individuals age 60+ complete important legal documents such as wills and power of attorney paperwork at no cost. To schedule an appointment to meet with the paralegal, call Senior Services Plus, Inc. at 618-465-3298 ext. 100. The paralegal is only able to meet with consumers that reside in certain Illinois counties. Call for more information. You can also find out more about Land of Lincoln Legal Aid by visiting their website.
The Benefit Access Application, formerly known as Circuit Breaker, is a State of Illinois program that provides seniors age 65+ or those under age 65 but receiving disability a reduction on their vehicle’s license plate sticker as well as a ride-free bus pass. Income guidelines do apply. To find out more information about the Benefit Access Application or to apply online, visit: http://www.illinois.gov/aging/BenefitsAccess/Pages/default.aspx. To schedule an appointment to file the application at Senior Services Plus, Inc., please contact the Information and Assistance Department at 618-465-3298 ext. 112 or ext. 115.
