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A benefit specialist is a person trained to help older people who are having a problem with their private or government benefits. Benefit Specialists are often called “Red Tape Cutters” because they are experts at helping older people with the extensive and complicated paperwork that is often required in benefit programs.
They help older persons figure out what benefits they are entitled to and tell them what they must do to receive them. Benefit specialists are continually trained and monitored by attorneys knowledgeable in elderly law.
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Provide accurate and current information on your benefits |
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Suggest alternative actions that you can take yourself to secure benefits or appeal denials of benefits |
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Advocate on your behalf wit the other parties involved |
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Explain what legal action or other possible solution is required |
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Refer you to an appropriate attorney |
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Do I have to repay a Social Security or SSI overpayment if it was not my fault? |
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Will Medicare or Medical Assistance cover my nursing home stay? |
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How will I pay all of my medical bills? |
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I have been denied SSI or Social Security disability benefits. What can I do about it? |
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What programs are available to provide services to help me remain in my home? |
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Medicare denied my claim for a certain service or procedure. Can anything be done? |
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Are there any new or recent changes in programs available to me? |
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Do I qualify for subsidized housing? |
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My phone bill has gone up $25.00 per month. Is there something wrong? |
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There’s someone trying to sell me insurance. Do I need it? |
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A man just came to my door selling driveway sealing services. The price was really good. I gave him the money, but he hasn’t shown up to do the work. What should I do? |
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In addition, Benefit Specialists are committed to public education affecting the clients whom they serve. Educational efforts take many forms including:
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Informal talks to groups of elderly people, caregivers and family members or professionals throughout the county |
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Newspaper articles |
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Printed materials such as brochures and fact sheets |
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Age Discrimination in Employment
Bill Reduction
Consumer Problems
Community Options Program
Disability Benefits
Elder Rights and Abuse
Estate Recovery
Food Stamps
Fuel Assistance
Homestead Tax Credit
Housing Issues
Insurance Issues
Long Term Care Options
Medical Assistance
Medicare
Medicare Supplemental Insurance
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Medigap Insurance
Partner Care
Patient Rights
Prescription Drugs
Program Eligibility
Requirements
Provider Refunds
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Specified Low Income
Medicare Beneficiary
Social Security
Spousal Impoverishment
Supplemental Security Income
Supportive Home Services
Surrogate Decision Options
Veteran’s Administration Benefits
Vocational Rehabilitation
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To make an appointment or for more information, contact:
Amy (Zepczyk) Janecek, C.S.W.
Ashland County Elderly Benefit Specialist
Hours & Locations:
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at
Aging and Disability Resource of the North–Ashland County Branch
at Ashland County Health & Human Services
630 Sanborn Avenue
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-7004 ext. 140
Toll free: 1-866-663-3607 ext. 233
Thursdays and Fridays at
Ashland County Aging Unit, Inc.
400 Chapple Ave. Ste. 100
Ashland, WI 54806
715-682-4414 ext.2
Toll free: 1-888-682-7672 ext. 2
Mondays—site visits 10 a.m.—1 p.m. at
Marengo, St Paul’s Church—the first Monday of every month
Mellen, Senior Center—the second Monday of each month
Butternut, Brookside Housing—the third Monday of each month
Glidden, Senior Center— the fourth Monday of each month
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Benefit Specialists
