The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging is always in need of caring volunteers to serve with its Benefits Counseling program. No prior experience is required.
Volunteer Benefits Counselors are responsible for providing information, counseling and assistance to older persons on topics such as public and private health benefits, individual rights, legal issues, and consumer fraud. Volunteers work in conjunction with the staff Benefits Counselor at the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging. All residents age 60 and older, as well as those on Medicare regardless of age, in the 14 counties served by the Agency are eligible to receive benefits counseling services.
What are Volunteer Benefits Counselors expected to do?
They attend initial and ongoing training sessions to become knowledgeable about Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance, long-term care insurance, HMOs, Social Security, and local resources and services.
Initial training is sponsored by the Health Information Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).
They counsel seniors a minimum of once a month over the telephone or at a specified benefits counseling site.
They assist older persons in filling out applications for public or private benefits.
They refer senior citizens to other community services when appropriate.
Where are Volunteer Benefits Counselors needed?
The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging has volunteers in Collin, Denton, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Parker, and Rockwall counties, and welcomes additional volunteers to serve in these areas. It is in greatest need of volunteers to serve in Ellis, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Somervell and Wise counties.
Is benefits counseling available in each county?
Benefits counseling is available by telephone (1-800-272-3921) in all 14 counties. On-site benefits counseling iscurrently currently available in Collin, Denton, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Parker, and Rockwall counties:
Collin County
On-Site Counseling
WHERE:
Geriatric Wellness Center of Collin County
401 West 16th St.
Plano, TX
75075 Map
WHEN:
Every Tuesday
HOURS:
By appointment
PHONE:
972-941-7335
Denton County
On-Site Counseling
WHERE:
Lewisville Senior Center
1950 - A South Valley Parkway
Lewisville, TX
75067 Map
WHEN:
One Monday a month
HOURS:
Call for scheduled times
PHONE:
972-219-5050
Erath County
On-Site Counseling
WHERE:
Stephenville Public Library
174 N. Columbus Street
Stephenville, TX
76401 Map
WHEN:
1st Friday of each month
HOURS:
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
PHONE:
254 -965-5665
Hood County
On-Site Counseling
WHERE:
The Senior Center
501 E. Moore
Granbury, TX
76048 Map
WHEN:
3rd Thursday of each month
HOURS:
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
PHONE:
817-573-5533
Parker County
On-Site Counseling
WHERE:
Weatherford Senior Center
1225 Holland Lake
Weatherford, TX
76086 Map
WHEN:
2nd Monday of each month
HOURS:
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
PHONE:
817-594-7419
More sites will be added as volunteers are trained.
What are the ways a Volunteer Benefits Counselor can help?
Volunteer Benefits Counselors assist clients in a number of ways. They may do the following:
Answer questions about Medicare benefits (such as the discount drug card) and enrollment
Provide information about supplement policies and their benefits
Discuss the options of long-term care insurance policies
Assist individuals in resolving unpaid health claims
Refer individuals to community-based social service agencies
Assist low-income persons in obtaining legal services
Refer individuals to community-based social service agencies
Assist low-income persons in obtaining legal services
Serve as advocates for those who are entitled to benefits they have not received
Provide updated information on changes in benefits
Fill out application forms for those who request assistance
Are bilingual volunteers needed?
The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging serves a population that is growing in diversity. It seeks volunteers who speak both English and Spanish.
How do I become a Volunteer Benefits Counselor?
Contact Information Jan Henning, Aging Program Benefits Counselor
Phone: 1-800-272-3921| Fax: 817-695-9274 Email
North Central Texas Council of Governments | 616 Six Flags Drive P.O. Box 5888 Arlington, TX 76005-5888
Main Operator: (817) 640-3300 | Fax: (817) 640-7806
