Many older people are not getting all the government benefits they may be entitled to receive. Often, the elderly are trying to make ends meet with Social Security alone. If their monthly check is insufficient to cover living expenses, items once deemed necessities become optional. Things such as food, heat, clothing and medicine may have to be juggled.

Heartbreaking stories of some elders not getting their most basic needs met abound. For instance, a husband and wife who are prescribed the same daily medication may opt, due to cost, to take the drug on alternate days – thus avoiding the cost of buying two prescriptions.

Obviously, neither one is getting the benefit the doctor intended when they do this.

Deciding between heat and food is another choice that our older citizens should not have to make.

However, there are resolutions to some of these problems. There are government programs in place that can lessen the burden.

The Property Tax and Rent Refund Program is designed to help Maine homeowners with the high cost of property taxes. Similar help is available to Maine residents who rent instead of own their homes. The program is divided into two parts – the General Program for people younger than 62, and the Elderly Program is for those residents aged 62 and older.

Participants in the Elderly Program must be at least 62 years of age; or at least 55 years old and receiving federal disability payments. They also must have paid property taxes or rent for the entire year of 2000.

Household annual income must be less than $11,200 for a single person or $13,900 for a couple. The maximum refund is $400, with the average being $340. The deadline to file for this refund is Dec. 31.

If the cost of prescriptions is a problem, you may apply for the Low-Cost Drug Card while filling out the paperwork for the tax and rent refund. The Tax and Rent Refund program and the Low-Cost Drug Card began sharing the application process in 1978.

There are two components to the Low-Cost Drug Card program: Basic and Supplemental.

Under the Basic Program, the state pays 80 percent of the cost of medication to treat certain conditions or illnesses: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, coagulation problems, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, chronic lung disease, asthma, incontinence, thyroid diseases, glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The Supplemental Program includes other drugs not covered in the Basic Program. The drugs must be medically necessary and supplied by participating manufacturers. Most drug companies participate, but some do not, so be sure to check with your pharmacist.

To qualify for the Low-Cost Drug Card, participants must be 62 years of age or older and a current resident of Maine. The income maximums are $1,287 per month for an individual, or $1,734 per month for a couple.

They also cannot be receiving Supplemental Security Income or full Medicaid benefits. The Low-Cost Drug Card is valid for only one year, so recipients must reapply annually to determine continued eligibility.

Once enrolled in the Low-Cost Drug Card program, recipients are automatically eligible for the Healthy Maine Prescriptions program. That means additional savings under the Supplemental Program.

To obtain more information on any additional requirements for the Tax and Rent Refund, Low-Cost Drug Card, or Healthy Maine Prescriptions, or to find out if you qualify, call Eastern Agency on Aging. We will be happy to assist in filling out the application or, if you prefer, we’ll mail the form.

“When in doubt, we recommend that someone complete the application and go through the determination process,” said Deb Chapman, director of outreach services at Eastern Agency on Aging. One of the most important things is that people not try to screen themselves and assume they are not eligible, she said.

Sometimes older people worry about losing Social Security benefits if they apply for additional government programs. There is no risk. Your Social Security is safe.

These benefits were put in place to improve the quality of life. No one should ever have to share medicine or be forced to choose between heat and food.

Next week’s column will address other benefits for which elders could be eligible.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For more information on these programs or others, please call Chuck or Marilyn at EAA 941-2865. Or check www.eaaa.org for information and a description of services.