Helping PCLM Counselors Find Relief for HECM Borrowers BenefitsCheckUp Tax and Insurance Toolkit Demonstration Laura Rosenfeld Content Manager, BenefitsCheckUp Marlene Schneider Vice President of Decision Support Services 1
National Council on Aging NCOA s Mission To improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Who We Are NCOA is a non profit service and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. NCOA Core Competencies Collaborative Leadership Advocacy Innovation Services for Older Adults 2
National Council on Aging What We Do NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged and the community organizations that serve them. NCOA brings together non-profit organizations, businesses and the government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities. 3
Scope of Project: Enhancements to Reverse Mortgage Toolkit Create an Online Suite of National Counseling Support Services: Enhancing toolkit capabilities to include: o Nearly 200 Tax Relief Assistance Programs o Over 5,000 local offices o Hazard Insurance Programs 30 state-based FAIR Programs National Flood Assistance Programs o Easy access to Tax Relief Program Fact Sheets, Application Forms and Offices via the Locator Tool o Online enrollment to Medicare s Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help (LIS) 4
Property Tax Relief Assistance Programs Nearly 200 state Property Tax Relief Assistance Programs across the nation, including: Circuit Breaker Property Tax Relief Tax Deferral Programs Tax Rebates Tax Work-Off Programs Abatement Programs Over 5,000 Local Offices to apply, including: State Divisions of Taxation Local Assessors Individual Program Offices 5
Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan Fair Plans offer homeowner's insurance for those that cannot get home insurance through private companies due to property being considered "high risk or denials from traditional insurance plans. 6
Pilot Programs: Methodology to Add Local-Based Tax Relief Programs Comprehensive research was conducted to choose key localities to enhance tax relief programs focusing on Circuit Breaker, Abatement and Work-Off programs Called on national experts for guidance Utilized HUD data to determine high risk foreclosure areas Reviewed national data on areas hit hard by foreclosures 24 additional tax relief programs were added in 10 states Foreclosure Assistance Programs added in all states 7
Pilot Programs: Geographical Locations New programs added in pilot areas include: CA 2 statewide programs FL 2 statewide programs IL 1 City of Chicago & 2 Cook County programs MA 4 City of Boston programs MD 1 statewide program MI 1 Wayne County, 1 Oakland County & 2 statewide programs NV 1 statewide program Oregon 1 program added for Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties PA 2 City of Philadelphia programs TX 2 Harris County, 1 Dallas County & 3 statewide programs 8
Easy Access to Benefits: Tax Relief Locator and Medicare Rx Extra Help Online Application Integrating two additional features to help PCLM clients apply for LIS/Extra Help and access Tax Relief application forms and office information without completing a BenefitsCheckUp screening 9
Questions? Questions and Thank You 1-888-268-8706 Laura.Rosenfeld@ncoa.org Marlene.Schneider@ncoa.org 10