From Health Care to Housing, Maryland Access Point Empowers Marylanders with Vital Services and Supports
Maryland Department of Aging
Enabling older adults to lead lives that are healthy, financially secure, socially connected, and purposeful.
Many older adults experience real anxiety when it comes to opening their mail. Fixed or limited incomes that can’t keep pace with the rising cost of living can lead to some tough choices in many households—with ripple effects that can impact the larger community. And it’s not their fault. Housing, utility, grocery, and health care costs have risen at a much higher rate than wages and social security income, leading many older adults to forgo medical care, cut back on nutritious food, and put off making critical upgrades to their home environments.?
Financial security is such an important social determinant of how well we age. Maryland Access Point (MAP) is a critical resource in helping older adults identify, locate, and apply for benefits that can help them keep more money in their pocket and improve their quality of life.?
MAP provides free, person-centered counseling and referrals for older adults and their caregivers who need help locating and applying for housing services, caregiving programs, affordable health care coverage, and financial assistance for food, energy, home repairs, and other daily living expenses. It helps more than 50,000 Marylanders a year save money and remain secure in their homes and communities.
Many who call MAP for the first time aren’t aware of the wide array of benefits they may be eligible for. That was the case with Benjamin*, a 90-year-old man from Anne Arundel County who was referred to MAP to find help in caring for his wife. During the initial conversation, Benjamin explained that they didn’t have a phone, making follow-up arrangements very difficult. This led to a thorough needs assessment that identified several programs?the couple was eligible for. The MAP counselor assisted Benjamin with applying for Lifeline phone service and?energy assistance to help pay outstanding utility bills. Some additional assessments completed by MAP staff determined the couple qualified for in-home caregiving support and other resources that are helping Benjamin and his wife save money while remaining in the home and community they love.
Amanda Distefano, Long-Term Services Division Director at the Maryland Department of Aging acknowledges that too many people don’t know about the services available through MAP, and is particularly vocal about promoting Medicare Savings Programs to more older Marylanders. “We’re trying to expand our reach,” said Distefano. “We know these are underutilized benefits and many people who are potentially eligible have never applied. These programs pay for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses associated with Medicare, which means less money deducted from social security checks and more money in the pockets of Marylanders to spend on other important needs.”
With an estimated one in five people with disabilities who qualify for housing assistance not enrolled, housing programs are also an underutilized resource in Maryland. MAP can connect eligible applicants to a wide range of affordable housing supports, including rental vouchers and subsidies, home improvement supports, energy assistance programs, and long-term housing. Tax credits for homeowners and renters are also available, and eligibility can be determined by an Options Counseling session with your local MAP counselor.?
Sarah is a 68-year old Baltimore County resident who reached out to MAP to help secure a Section 8 housing voucher, but didn’t have the required security deposit and first month's rent. Her local MAP counselor connected Sarah to a Community Outreach Specialist who helped her through the Seniors in Need application process. Sarah received the funds she needed to move in to her new home and is enjoying affordable and stable housing for the first time in years.??
“Everyone knows someone who could benefit from MAP services. Whether it’s you, an aging parent, a neighbor, or a friend, knowing where to turn can make all the difference,” said Distefano. “It’s not just a hotline to ask about a particular program, it’s personalized and knowledgeable support from compassionate counselors who often go the extra mile to meet clients where they are to get them the services and benefits they need.”
Pilar is an 80-year-old Worcester County woman who experienced this dedication firsthand when she turned to MAP to get some help for her disabled son. A Community Resource Specialist (CRS) went to Pilar's home to help her replace a stolen SNAP card and gather some documentation for an in-home care application when a pile of overdue bills caught his eye. He got right to work helping Pilar remove an expensive third party supplier from her energy account, apply for financial assistance for her outstanding hospital bills, and enroll in a discounted cell phone program. Later, when the theft of Pilar’s debit card left her with a depleted bank account and facing eviction, the CRS helped Pilar recover her lost funds and get a replacement card. Since then, Pilar has received other benefits through the assistance of MAP, including transportation services, energy assistance, and enrollment in a local adult day care program that she loves and is thriving in.?
MAP’s Essential Contributions to Maryland’s Multisector Plan for Aging
By connecting Marylanders of all ages with coordinated services that span sectors, governments, and organizations, MAP will play an important role in Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM). It’s a key resource in the implementation of several LRM strategies, including:
“MAP will continue to develop new and improved connections between systems and partners at the state and local level," said Liz Woodward, MDOA Assistant Secretary of Planning. "Access to coordinated, wraparound service referrals, eligibility screening, and assistance in registering for services is a key priority in the development and implementation of LRM.”
To learn more about MAP visit MarylandAccessPoint.info or call 1-844-627-5465 (TTY: 7-1-1) to connect with a MAP counselor.
* Anonymity of MAP clients is protected.