my ltte re: help for grandparents raising grandchildren published today

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2009/09/28/opinion/doc4ac0ec49ccf33972398321.txt
To the Editor,

With today’s financial trials and the change in the composition of the “traditional” family, many grandparents are faced with raising their grandchildren. In a somewhat rural area such as ours, it is difficult to find resources, especially if you aren’t used to working “the system.” In addition to friends, family and church, there are many resources out there to help grandparents-you just have to know where to look.

The AARP has assembled a whole page of resources devoted solely to grandparents assuming care of their grandchildren. It is located at

http://www.aarp.org/families/grandparents/raising_grandchild/ but for those with limited Internet access, I am including some of the most important links.

AARP has Benefits Quicklink, (https://www.benefitscheckup.org/index.cfm?partner_id=22) which will quickly inform you if you or your grandkids qualify for:

• Medicare Savings Programs— helps cover Medicare costs.

• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage —helps pay for prescription drugs.

• Medicare Rx Extra Help — helps cover the costs of Medicare drug coverage.

• State Prescription Drug Assistance Programs — helps pay for prescription drugs.

• Medicaid for Aged, Blind, and Disabled — provides health insurance to older people and people with disabilities.

• Food Stamp Program — helps to pay food bills.

• State Property Tax Relief/Rebates — reduces property tax bills.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) — provides a monthly income to people who have little money and don’t own many things.

• Telephone Assistance (Link-Up and Lifeline) — offers discounts for telephone service.

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — provides tax credits to workers with low incomes who are raising children.

• Medicaid for Children— provides health insurance for children.

• State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) — offers medical and dental health insurance to children under 18.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children — provides a monthly income to children under 18 if they are blind or have a serious disability.

• TANF Child-Only Grant — provides assistance to children with low incomes.

There are local support groups and guides for grandparents whose children are in prison. As a community, we should help each other as we are able to access whatever resources exist. Our next generation is depending on us to give them a healthy start. Find more information through the AARP Web site,or any AARP member.

[TBF]

1. Useful links -

my mom is helping my sister raise her 2 daughters. She (sister) is still in college, and has been able to utilize some of the programs in Wisconsin. It has been a tremendous help for them with my mom on a fixed income.

[w8liftinglady]

2. there are a LOT of grandparents raising grandkids here

lots of Meth users either in prison,or unavailable to raise the kids...huge problem...

[TBF]

3. My sister probably didn't make some of the best choices

either, but in the end there were 2 beautiful little girls to raise, and I really admire my mom for stepping up and helping my sister. Now she's getting older so they live in a duplex and my sister is looking out for her too (doctor's appts etc). But I'm also grateful there are some federal/state programs. I know they have provided my sister with additional childcare and healthcare - while she works parttime and actually finishes school (she went back for GED, and is now a year away from her BA!). Alot of times people don't know there are programs to help.

[w8liftinglady]

4. I'm proud of your sis-she did an amazing thing

Best of luck to her and those kids!