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Coastline Elderly Services 3
Rose*, 77, entered Coastline Elderly Services’
Community Mainstream Program in January 2007 through
a referral from the local American Red Cross. She
was caring for her two grandchildren, providing for
all of their needs out of her own income.
In January, Rose could not pay her rent and was at
risk of being evicted. A representative from the
Community Mainstream Program worked with Rose’s
landlord and located $650 in grant money to pay the
balance of her rent. Rose was also eligible to
receive $76 per month in food stamps.
In March, it became clear that Rose should be
eligible for more food stamp monies – so the
Community Mainstream Program helped her qualify as a
three-person household and ultimately secured $331
per month in food stamps, thus alleviating a major
concern for Rose and her grandchildren.
Rose returned to Coastline in May where she was
facing the choice of paying for either her rent or
her electric bill. Grant money was found to pay the
elder’s overdue electric bill in the amount of $448.
In July, Rose once again was assisted with grant
money to pay part of her rent in the amount of $300.
It is estimated that Rose will now be financially
stable until winter, at which time she will have the
option to apply for fuel assistance should she need
help getting through the colder months.
This is an amazing example of how the Community
Mainstream Program has evolved from a benefits
referral program to a program of on-going case
management that works “in the trenches” with other
local agencies, combating the serious risk of
homelessness that many local elders face.
*name has been changed for confidentiality |
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