Q.  How does the Bill Payer Program help?

    A.  Volunteers assist low-income older adults and people with disabilities to organize paperwork and pay monthly bills. With their help, Bill Payer clients stay independent longer.

Q.  How is the program administered?

    A.  AARP Foundation administers the program on the national level. Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc. (CSCS) coordinates it in NYC.

Q.  Does a senior have to be an AARP member to obtain services?

    A.  No.

Q.  Do volunteers make home visits?

    A.  Volunteers usually go to the client’s home where paperwork is easily available. Some clients prefer to meet at a mutually agreeable location (e.g. senior center).

Q.  What is the cost of the Bill Payer service?

    A.  It is completely FREE!

Q.  Where do volunteers come from?

    A.  Many volunteers are recruited through AARP membership mailings. Others hear about the program from the AARP or CSCS websites, or through volunteer matching services.

Q.  How often do volunteers visit?

    A.  Once or twice a month, for an average commitment of 4 – 6 hours a month including reporting time.

Q.  How are the client’s privacy and security protected?

    A.  Volunteers are screened via reference, criminal background and credit checks. Clients sign all their own checks and remain in complete control of all financial decisions. Records are kept confidential.

Q.  Are volunteers supervised and monitored?

    A.  Volunteers are trained and supervised. Bank statements and volunteer visit reports are compared for accuracy by a third-party “monitor” every month.

Q.  Are there additional safeguards for the client’s funds?

    A.  Volunteers only have access to one checking account with a maximum monthly balance of $3,500. If a mistake is made, each client is covered by AARP Foundation for loss of funds.

Q.  What are the financial qualifications for the Bill Payer Program?

    A.  Income for individuals: $39,400 or less, $45,050 for a couple. The maximum liquid assets allowable are $39,400 (does not include home, car or retirement accounts such as IRA’s and annuities).

Q.  Are there any other requirements for the program?

    A.  Clients must be able to make their own financial decisions and sign their own checks, and agree to provide monthly bank statements for monitoring.  They must have a case worker to provide back-up when social service issues come up.

Q.  How can I refer a senior to the Bill Payer Program?

    A.  For a referral form Click here in pdf format