Links

You may be eligible to receive assistance under the LIHEAP program if your household`s combined income is at or below 150% of the Federal poverty guidelines. If you have questions you can call the Energy Information Line at 1-800-252-8643. BCMW can be reached at 618/532-7388 and covers Bond, Clinton, Marion & Washington Counties. CEFS can be reached at 217/342-2193 and covers Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby Counties and Crosswalk Community Action Agency can be reached at 618/937-3581 and covers Franklin, Jefferson & Williamson Counties.

To assist Medicare beneficiaries with up to date information and resources. You can sign up for any or all of the following: information, dissemination, event coordination, and enrollment.

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation sponsors The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). SHIP is a free insurance counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. You may call 1-800-548-9034 or 217-524-4872 (TDD) or visit the website at www.idfpr.com

Midland Area Agency is a partner in the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program. The SMP Program empowers consumers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud topics. The Illinois SMP program is funded by the Administration on Aging and is administered by AgeOptions. Please visit the site listed for more information and tools to protect yourself and others from health care fraud. Please visit www.illinoissmp.org for more information or call 1-800-699-9043.

To coordinate a web-based state-wide calendar of consumer events and professional trainings. The web based tool will also include contact information for local resources that can provide further information or direct assistance.

Clay County-4th Tuesday of each month at Flora Public Library in Flora 1:30pm to 3:00pm Effingham County-1st Thursday of each month at Helen Matthes Library in Effingham 10:00am to 1:00pm Fayette County-1st Tuesday of each month at Evans Public Library in Vandalia 10:00am to 1:00pm Jefferson County-2nd Tuesday of each month at C.E.Brehm Memorial Library in Mt. Vernon 10:00am to 1:00pm Marion County-3rd Tuesday of each month at Bryan-Bennett Library in Salem 1:00pm to 3:30pm – All locations by appointment only.

Monthly meetings held in Centralia,Mt. Vernon, Effingham, Vandalia and Flora. Heartland Human Services provides this service and for additional information call 1-888-560-8805 ext. #1062.

Heartland Human Services offers Caregiver Support Groups in Effingham, Fayette, Clay, Jefferson & Marion counties. For additional information call 1-888-560-8805 ext. #1062.

The official benefits Web site of the U.S. Government is www.GovBenefits.gov. This is an easy-to-use web site that assists with numerous senior programs

The Midland Pioneer Coalition Meetings are open to the public and those who may be interested in attending would be family members of those in a Long Term Care (LTC) facility, caregivers, staff of LTC facilities, Ombudsman, etc. Upcoming Meetings: Please contact Terri Simpson at 217-347-5569 for meeting information. The Pioneer Coalition`s vision statement is: To build upon and transform resident and caregiver communities by developing and implementing choices for all residents, respecting individual needs and wants and overall improving the quality of life and care for all residents and caregivers. The Pioneer Coalition mission statement: To promote, support, assist and educate communities to identify the indivual needs of every resident and to unite caregivers to meet those needs.

Ameren provides special assistance and rate relief through their LIHEAP agencies. Call 1-800-252-8643 or your local LIHEAP agency for more information. BCMW – covers Bond, Clinton, Marion & Washington Counties – 618/532-7388 – – CEFS – covers Christian,Clay,Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie & Shelby Counties-217/342-2193 – – Crosswalk Community Action Agency covers Franklin, Jefferson & Williamson Counties – 618/937-3581 – – Call your local LIHEAP agency to see if you or someone you know qualifies for any assistance through new programs that are available.

For the most up-to-date information on flooding issues throughout the State of Illinois go to: www.ready.illinois.gov

Caregiver Workshops are held on a regular basis throughout the 5 county area of Effingham, Fayette, Clay, Jefferson & Marion Counties. For information on an upcoming workshop call Heartland Human Services at: 1-888-560-8805 ext. 1046 or 1062.

The on-line application for Extra Help with Medicare prescription costs.

An online service available 24/7 powered by Socialserv.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the nation`s leading provider of affordable housing locator services. A one-stop shop for people in need of housing and related resources. Visit www.ILHousingSearch.org or toll free at 1-877-428-8844 to sign up for a free account to list properties.

Many individuals can save money each year by participating in the Medicare Savings Programs. These programs may pay Medicare premiums, leaving more money left in your social security checks. For an overview, and a list of frequently asked questions, visit Illinois Benefits.

If you are looking for assistance and want to find out what federal, state and local programs you may qualify for, go to www.benefitscheckup.org. There you may download a State & Federal Programs for Older Adults booklet.

Midland Area Agency on Aging is a SHIP Site located in Centralia, Illinois.

An online “Grand” magazine for grandparents and grandchildren is available, where right now the prescription is free! For those with internet access go to www.grandmagazine.com. The link will take you to sign up for a free subscription

Two helpful websites: drugfree.org/prevention if you suspect your child is using drugs and also drugfree.org/treatment-and-recovery for parents or grandparents of children who are struggling with drugs and alcohol.

Remember: “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” As the summer progresses, Southern IL is subject to lightening and rain storms. Please review the the folllowing link at www.ready.illinois.gov