Elderly Care Facility (File Photo – Etan J. Tal)
Los Angeles County and the State of California support adults aged 65 and older who live below the poverty line and those who do not have sufficient income to meet their basic needs.
By News Desk
The County and State provide a robust set of economic and health safety net programs. Unfortunately, not enough of these vulnerable seniors know these programs exist, that they qualify for them, or how to access them.
- Two-thirds of eligible Californians over the age of 60 – roughly 1.5 million people – do not participate in the Cal Fresh food assistance program even though they qualify.
- Less than 8,500 residents receive benefits through Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) that provides cash assistance to aged, blind, or disabled noncitizens.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today took action to close that information and access gap and eliminate the language, mobility, cultural, technological, and social-stigma barriers preventing older adults from enrolling in public benefits like CalFresh, General Relief (GR), and CAPI and better connect them with agencies who can deliver critical relief.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a joint motion to direct relevant County departments to develop an education outreach plan specifically targeted to inform and assist older adults.
Today’s motion was sparked by Supervisor Solis’ recent visit to senior centers in East Los Angeles, where she talked with seniors who were not aware that they were eligible for critical health care and food assistance programs or even that these programs existed.
Help is coming
The motion directs DPSS, ADD and OIA to create a communications outreach program to overcome five key barriers impacting older adults’ access and awareness:
- language barriers;
- immigration eligibility and the chilling effect of anti-immigrant propaganda;
- accessibility for individuals whose mobility is impaired;
- technology gaps for those who do not have access to access information online; and
- the stigma associated with the use of government benefits and services.
“This plan needs to consider – in its messaging, framework, and training of frontline staff – how to destigmatize and correct past negative ideas around the use of public benefits,” Supervisor Solis said. “No one should feel shame in asking for help.”
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