AARP Money Management Program

• Care Management
• Protective Services
• Guardianship Services
• Money Management
• Service Coordination

Ursuline Senior Services’ AARP Money Management Program, sponsored by the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, assists low-income elderly persons who have difficulty with their financial affairs and have problems maintaining their finances. This program matches trained volunteers with seniors that need help budgeting and assuring their bills are paid on time. The volunteers prepare bills for payment, assist with checking writing, and balance checkbooks. This dedicated core of volunteers provides a valuable service to seniors in need of financial assistance as well as much needed companionship on an ongoing basis. One of the core concepts of the program is to keep seniors financially independent while assuring that all their monthly obligations are met. The volunteers report their visits to the program director each month.

In some cases, the program director receives referrals from consumers and care givers about other assistance regarding financial matters. Many seniors who have contacted the Money Management Program for assistance are reaching out for guidance on complex financial matters that they cannot manage on their own. The program director meets these consumers one on one to assess their individual financial needs. If the consumer’s needs exceed what the Money Management Program is prepared to provide, she will help guide them to the appropriate agencies in Allegheny County that offer different types of assistance.

A large number of referrals have been victims of predatory lenders who prey on low-income seniors in need of home repairs. The frequent outcome for these seniors are home equity loans with very high interest rates that are virtually impossible to repay, leading to foreclosure or forcing the senior to make the decision to pay the exorbitant mortgage payment instead of buying food or paying utility bills. Many who call need guidance on credit card debt and bankruptcy issues, rescue loans, reverse mortgages, energy assistance programs, and welfare programs that may provide some financial relief.

This expansion to the traditional money management program services is another way Ursuline Senior Services attempts to assist low-income seniors who feel overwhelmed by their financial situation and are unsure where to turn. If you or someone you know need some guidance, or are in need of bill payer services, please call or email for more information.

For more information on AARP Money Management contact us at 412.683.0400 ext. 228 or moneymanagement@ursulineseniors.org