Resources for Seniors

General Information

Seniors and those with pre-existing conditions are known to be especially susceptible to COVID-19.  Here are some tips to help you stay healthy:

  • Wear a face covering in public.
  • Practice social distancing and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

 

For more information on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, click the link HERE.

 

 

Store Hours for Seniors

Certain stores are currently offering special shopping hours for seniors and other at-risk populations:

  • Tops Friendly Markets: Senior shopping hours from 6-7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Price Chopper Supermarkets: Senior shopping hours from 6-7 a.m. each day.
  • Target: The first hour each Wednesday is for any vulnerable guests – please use this store locator to find your local Target.
  • Dollar General: Senior shopping only for the first hour of each business day.
  • Green Hills Farms: Senior shopping hours from 6-7 a.m. each day.

 

Federal Resources

Given the current public health crisis, some federal agencies have made several changes to their services.

Social Security Administration

  • The Social Security Administration has suspended face-to-face services in their field offices and hearing offices nationwide.  However, seniors can still conduct most business with SSA online, by phone or through the mail. Please contact your local social security office about where to direct letters.
  • The SSA is currently extending deadlines to provide documentation and other information wherever possible.  Hearings will be conducted by phone during the office closures.
  • Benefits will still be delivered by mail or through direct deposit. 

For more information on changes to the SSA and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the SSA website HERE.

Medicare

Seniors have paid into Medicare their entire lives.  Amidst this crisis, I remain committed to ensuring older Americans have access to the care they deserve.  For this reason, I want to provide you with some information and resources available to Medicare recipients during this COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Medicare covers most testing and treatments related to the Coronavirus. 
  • Medicare has also temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services.  For more information on telehealth services, click the link here.

For more information on Medicare services available during the coronavirus outbreak, click the link HERE.

 

Protecting Yourself Against Cyber Scams:

As we have seen, cyber scammers are using the Coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to launch cyber scams. For best practices to avoid falling victim to a scam related to the Coronavirus, follow the tips below:

  • Do not click on links contained in unsolicited emails.
  • Avoid revealing personal or financial information in emails and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
  • Rely on trusted sources for information related to the Coronavirus.
  • Avoid making charitable donations before verifying the charity’s authenticity.

For more information on avoiding scams, click HERE to see best practices from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

SSA is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. The SSA will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed to the public for in-person service.