Resource Center

The Resource Center is a trusted place where seniors, adults with physical disabilities, their families and caregivers can find information on long-term support options, as well as assistance in accessing those options.  When appropriate, we will contact other organizations on your behalf.  All information is handled confidentially.

Resource Center Services include Information and Assistance on:

If you need information on long-term support options as well as assistance in accessing those options, please call us at (406) 259-5212, email [email protected] to make an appointment.

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Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Part D 2025 is here!

October 15^th – December 7^th

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – Part D change every year. So can your health. Even if you are happy with your current Medicare plan, it is a good idea to compare all your prescription drug and health coverage options. You might find a plan with better coverage.

Our SHIP counselors can provide personalized guidance to ensure:

• Your prescriptions are included on a plan’s formulary and your pharmacy is the preferred choice for optimal coverage.
• You understand that a low monthly premium may not always be the best overall value for your specific needs.
• You have considered all of the plan’s estimated total costs to you, including deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
• You know if you take insulin, a benefit caps costs at $35 for a month’s supply of each insulin covered by Medicare.

Click the pill below to access our Medicare Part D Prescription Worksheet. Please complete this form as thoroughly as possible and return it to the Resource Center at [email protected] or 1505 Avenue D.

What is SHIP? The Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free service that helps Medicare beneficiaries and their families navigate Medicare. SHIP counselors are trained to provide unbiased information regarding Medicare eligibility, benefits, and options. SHIP counselors are affiliated with any insurance company and are not licensed to sell insurance. 

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The Bookkeeping Assistance Program assists seniors 60 and above who are having difficulty performing simple household bookkeeping. There is no cost for this service. Volunteers help seniors balance their checkbooks and assist with simple bill paying. All Bookkeeping Assistance volunteers have undergone an in-depth screening process. This program is not an accounting or tax service. A senior’s eligibility for this program will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to learn more about the Bookkeeping Assistance Program, contact the Resource Center at (406) 259-5212 or [email protected]. If you would like to volunteer in this program, please contact AVP at (406) 294-1580 or email [email protected]

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Fair Housing Is Your Right!

The Fair Housing Act was enacted by Congress to prohibit housing discrimination.

Some examples of discriminatory practices are:

* Refusing to show a person housing.
* Refusing to sell, rent or deal with a person.
* Telling a person housing is not available when it is available.
* Advertising housing as being available only to certain people.
* Harassing, coercing, intimidating or interfering with a person’s exercise of his/her fair housing rights.
* Directing people to more “appropriate” neighborhoods.
* Not allowing a service animal for a disabled person.

To prevent this, the Fair Housing Act created a number of protected classes.

*   Race/color
*   National origin
*   Religion and/or creed
*   Gender
*   Family status
*   Disability
*   Marital status
*   Age

QUESTIONS:
For more information on Fair Housing contact:

• The Resource Center at (406) 259-5212.
• HomeFront (Previously Montana Fair Housing Referral Hotline at (406) 782-2573.
• U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Hotline 1  (800) 877-7353.

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As people age, so do many of their homes and the need for minor home repairs can become a threat to the homeowner’s health and safety.  Often, due to financial limitations, these home repairs cannot be addressed and as a result, an older adult’s safety may be compromised.  A fall, injury or even just the threat of such an incident can affect an older person’s ability to remain in his/her home.

The Minor Home Repair Program is one of the only programs within the city of Billings that assists low-income older homeowners to address critical safety concerns in their homes.

To qualify for the Minor Home Repair Program, you must:

• Be 60 and above,
• Own your home, and
• Meet income eligibility criteria.

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It is estimated that billions of dollars are lost annually due to health care fraud, errors, and abuse.  The SMP Program, funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, is a national network of 58,000 trained volunteers and counselors in community- based projects to help older Americans avoid unintended errors and detect deliberate abuses in Medicare.

QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the Senior Medicare Patrol Program or would like assistance in reviewing your Medicare statement, contact the Resource Center at 406.259.5212 or [email protected].