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Show Help For Low Income Seniors Citizens Ask any senior trying to do it. Living at or below the national poverty level is not easy in the best of times, but in the current economic eco-nomic climate with soaring costs of gasoline, groceries, prescriptions and health care, many senior citizens citi-zens must do without even the most basic commodities just to get by. At the same time, these low income seniors are the backbone of the Five County Senior Companion Compan-ion Program. This federally funded program, one of three programs of the National Senior Service C6rps, recruits men and women with an annual income of less than 125 percent of the national poverty level ($10,437 for a one person household house-hold Or $14,062 for a couple) for service to frail elderly or disabled neighbors. In exchange for services, servi-ces, Senior Companions may earn a small tax-free stipend (plus limited meal and mileage reimbursement) of up to $200 per month for an r individual, or $400 for a couple, if both serve clients. This monthly increase does not affect Social Security, Se-curity, Medicare, Medicaid, housing, hous-ing, food stamps or other federal or state assistance programs. Senior Companions provide frail elderly or disabled neighbors-with neighbors-with services which enable them to . remain independent and in their own homes including transportation, socialization, so-cialization, and other friendly assistance. assis-tance. Senior Companions shop for groceries, balance checkbooks, take walks, play bridge or checkers, read, assist during doctor visits, write letters and fold an occasional load of laundry. In short, Senior Companions do the things any good neighbor would do for someone some-one in need. For more information, or an application, call the Senior Companions Com-panions Program at (435) 867-8384 |