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Massachusetts Banker’s Association awards $10,000 to
Elder Services
From the Director
Free income tax counseling offered to
seniors in Berkshire County
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Massachusetts Banker’s Association awards $10,000 to Elder Services
The Massachusetts Bankers’ Association Charitable Foundation has given Elder Services of Berkshire County a $10,000 Community Service Award, which was formerly awarded Thursday, December 20 at Elder Services.
Elder Services’ Executive Director, Catherine R. May, announced the organization’s plans to use the $10,000 award to strengthen the Berkshire SHINE program. The SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Information Needs of Elders) program provides health insurance information and counseling free of charge to seniors and Medicare eligible individuals county-wide through thirty-two trained, supervised volunteers. SHINE volunteers provide accurate, unbiased information about Medicare, supplemental insurance, public benefits and other options. They also assist with claims and appeals, and answer questions about billing, deductibles, and other common problems. SHINE counselors are available by appointment at Senior Centers in many towns, through calling Elder Services, and if need be, will make house calls to home bound elders.
Ms. May stated that " The SHINE program, which helps all Berkshire Medicare users, regardless of income or town of residence, is an essential service. Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Insurances that fill the gaps left by basic Medicare are complex and often confusing. Elder Services’ goal is to fully cover all areas of the County with SHINE volunteers, through applying this generous $10,000 award towards the costs of administrating the program, which has limited funding that pays for a part-time SHINE Coordinator."
If you would like more information about SHINE counseling, please call Elder Services at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.