National Council on Aging Grant Supports New Mexicans in Connecting to Safety-Net Programs

The Adelante Benefits Connection Center is one of the select programs in the country working in partnership with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to screen and enroll seniors and individuals with disabilities in government benefit programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicare Part D, Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP), and Medicaid. NCOA, an organization dedicated to helping seniors meet the challenges of aging by providing innovative community programs that serve them, has funded the Adelante Benefits Connection Center since 2014.

Adelante offers this service as a community resource because, in New Mexico, there are a large number of people that quality for governmental safety-net programs who have little or no ability to apply. With online applications and confusing governmental paperwork, many times the seniors and individuals with disabilities that are most in need of support with their prescriptions, food, and utilities have the most barriers to applying. They are often unaware of what resources are available, and they lack computer access or skills to complete applications online. With Benefits Connection Center, it’s a simple process where the benefits pros at Adelante do a benefits checkup to determine what people are eligible to receive, and then help them apply or renew their benefits. Thanks to NCOA, Adelante is able to provide this service for free in New Mexico to seniors over 65 or anyone with a disability who is over 21.

Staff and volunteers at the Benefits Connection Center work one-on-one with seniors and people with disabilities to determine which benefits they are eligible for, and help them navigate the complex application process.  Since the program started, the Adelante Benefits Connection Center has helped over 2,200 individuals apply for benefits.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Adelante’s Benefits Connection Center, call (505) 273-5222 or for statewide, toll-free help call 1(844) CON2BEN (844-266-2236).