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BWICA

Brooklyn-wide Interagency Council on Aging

Grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of seniors in Brooklyn.

THE NEXT BWICA MEETING WILL BE ON FEB 22, 2023

Our January meeting, Edyne Zephirin, Outreach Specialist for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) spoke about the CMS Health Campaigns for 2023. We would like to share a few documents to accompany her presentation:

2023 Federal Poverty Level Standards
Key Dates Related to the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023
PHE Tool Kit - FAQs for FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about Medicaid insurance at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for New Yorkers who are enrolled through their Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) or the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA)

BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Older Adults - Technology for All - Contact Mr. Samedi by email nsamedi@bklynlibrary.org or by calling 718-938-2525 for more information and help with registration. See Flyer for more information
Senior Debate Program: The Library is looking for older adults interested in coming together in a virtual community to engage in a fun activity: DEBATE! You don’t need any experience or skill as a public speaker - - you will learn the structure of Senior Debate and participate in practice sessions leading up to our inaugural Senior Debate Tournament! Click HERE for more information
Brooklyn Supports - Join BPL for coffee and connection to social support, resources, and benefits assistance. Contact the library's Social Work Program at 718-230-2044 or healthybklyn@bklynlibrary.org See Flyer for more information and list of participating branches.
Social Support Services and Benefits Assistance. See Flyer for more information

NEW MEDICARE CARD SCAM

Currently fraudsters are still calling beneficiaries falsely claiming that Medicare is issuing new Medicare cards for different reasons. What is important to know is that Medicare will not call beneficiaries to offer them new Medicare cards and request that they confirm their Medicare number.

Some examples of what scammers are offering are:

Plastic Medicare Card
Plastic Medicare Card with a chip in it
Medicare Card with Covid-19 vaccination
Medicare Card that is black and white
Medicare Card with Primary Doctors name on it

If you, or someone you know, is receiving these calls, please calls the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-333-4374.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FAKE COVID-19 TEST SITES AND AT-HOME TEST KITS

Scammers are selling fake, unauthorized at-home COVID-19 test kits and setting up fraudulent test sites in an effort to get your personal, financial, or medical information.
Make sure to purchase FDA-approved COVID-19 test kits from legitimate providers. If you aren't sure if a kit is legitimate, contact your doctor or local pharmacy to confirm.
Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, call the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT? Look No Further! Join the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program!

Are you searching for a rewarding volunteer assignment to which you can lend some of your time, skills, and talents? If so, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is here! Hosted in New York City, by the Community Service Society of New York, RSVP helps older adults aged 55 and older find meaningful volunteer opportunities (both remote and in-person) across the city.

Our volunteers currently serve in many capacities such as mentoring children or teens; tutoring middle schoolers who need academic skill-building and homework assistance or adults preparing for TASC/GED exams or who want to learn English as a second language; providing financial coaching and benefits counseling to low-income New Yorkers; and making friendly visiting phone calls to isolated seniors, delivering meals to older adults, assisting at soup kitchens and food pantries, working with animals, and much more!

Start your search today by sending an email to:

iwanttovolunteer@cssny.org to connect with an RSVP Volunteer Manager!
Want to learn more? Click HERE.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION LAUNCHES THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that replaces the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.
Find out if you qualify
How to Apply
Flyer for more information (english)
Flyer for more information (spanish)

COVID-19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE

FEMA hotline for families to apply for funeral assistance: 844-684-6333
Click HERE for more information including eligibility and how to apply.
Watch VIDEO: Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses

BWICA

Brooklyn-wide Interagency Council on Aging

5901 13th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219-4935