Social Services

State & Federal

Rental Assistance Available

The CT State Department of Housing has launched a new fund to assist renters who are on the verge of being evicted from their homes due to owing past due rent. Using $12.5 million in funding from UniteCT and the Rent Bank, the Eviction Prevention Fund will provide households with up to $5,000 to pay off past-due rent with their current landlord. To apply, tenants must call the UniteCT Call Center at 844-864-8328 and be screened for eligibility. Eligible applicants will receive direct assistance from a local UniteCT Resource Center where they will complete the application.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Enrollment is October 15th through December 7th for a January 1, 2023 effective date. Anyone who is 65 and over can make changes to their Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Plan (Part D) during this time. For those just becoming eligible for Medicare, the open enrollment period at the end of the year is not applicable. Medicare health and drug plans often make yearly changes to cost, coverage, and in-network providers and pharmacies. Open Enrollment offers the opportunity to make changes to your Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage to meet your needs for the following year. People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review materials their plans send them for specific changes, "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC) and "Annual Notice of Change" (ANOC). Information for next year's plans will be available beginning in October.

Call Jerrilynn if you need assistance.

Energy Assistance Program

Jerrilynn is processing applications for this year's Energy Assistance Program. Call 860-210-0201 to schedule an appointment. You may also apply online. You may apply by phone, email, and mail. Speak with Jerrilynn for more information.

Energy payments are determined by family size and gross income, and by whether a household is classified as "vulnerable". Vulnerable households have a member who is under age 6, who is age 60+, or who is any age and disabled. There is no Liquid Assets Test for the 2022-2023 CEAP program year. The income guidelines are as follows:

• Family of 1 = $39,761
• Family of 2 = $51,996
• Family of 3 = $64,230
• Family of 4 = $76,465
• Family of 5 = $88,699

Renters Rebate Program

State law provides a reimbursement program for Connecticut renters who are elderly or totally disabled, and whose incomes do not exceed certain limits ($40,300 single, $49,100 couple). Persons renting an apartment or room, or living in cooperative housing or a mobile home may be eligible for this program. Renters' rebates can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single persons. The renters' rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. There is a one-year Connecticut residency requirement for this program. Call Jerrilynn for more information or to apply.

Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program

Roof leaking? Furnace sputtering and on its last legs? Got plumbing or electric issues? If you can answer "YES" to any of these questions, we have great news for you! The Town of Roxbury was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and now has funds available for housing rehabilitation. These funds are distributed as a 0% interest deferred loan to income-eligible residential property owners. The loan is repayable at that time when ownership of the property is transferred. To date, $291,453.50 in rehabilitation loans have been granted since the inception of the program.

To be eligible, your income may not exceed $55,950 (single), $63,950 (family of two), $71,950 (family of three), and $79,900 (family of four). For income limits for families larger than four, or if you would like to apply, please call Jerrilynn Tiso @ 860-210-0201, or the First Selectman's office @ 860-354-9938.'

• Housing Rehabilitation Brochure and Information (PDF)
• Housing Rehabilitation Application (PDF)

Medicare Savings Program

The State of Connecticut offers financial assistance to income-eligible Medicare enrollees through three levels of Medicare Savings Programs. If you qualify for one of the three Medicare Savings Programs, DSS will pay your Medicare Part B premium each month. In addition, some enrollees will be covered by Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. Your gross income or combined gross income with your spouse determines which category you qualify for. Effective March 2023, income limits for single individuals range from $2,564/mo to $2,989/mo. For couples, the range is from $3,468/mo. to $4,043/mo. Call Jerrilynn for more information or to apply.

Transportation

If you are a senior citizen or a disabled individual living in Roxbury and need a ride to a non-emergency medical appointment, we can offer two options. The first is our own Roxbury Senior Bus, and the second is the Wheels Program of Greater New Milford. Both options require 48-hour notice. Call Jerrilynn at 860-210-0201 to book a ride with the Roxbury Bus, or the Wheels Program at 860-354-6012.

Litchfield Hills Chore Service (LHCS)

If you are a senior 65+ needing a little help around the house, consider our Chore Service. LHCS provides an affordable way for seniors to get the extra help they need in order to remain comfortably and safely in their own homes for as long as possible. Chore workers are local people carefully screened with background checks so you can be sure the person coming into your home is honest and reliable. Chore Service clients are asked to make a donation to the Program based on their income and ability to pay. To get started, call the Chore Service coordinator Heather Dineen at 860-806-0954.

Chore Service Roxbury is currently hiring Chore workers. If you would like to help your senior neighbors remain in their homes and in the community, and earn $15/hr (plus mileage), call Heather Dineen at 860-806-0954

Medicare Nursing Home Coverage

Medicare covers nursing homes ONLY after seniors are admitted to the hospital and stay through three consecutive midnights. Be very aware of the differences between "observation" versus "admitted" status. Hospitals Must tell you if you are being kept for observation instead of being admitted, and to warn you about the financial consequences. Anyone who goes to the hospital can be placed on observation status so that doctors can determine what's wrong and decide whether the patient is sick enough to be admitted. Observation status patients may receive diagnostic tests, medications, some treatments, and/or other services. This can happen in the emergency room, OR in a regular hospital room in a regular hospital bed, making it very tricky to know whether you have been admitted or not. This is extremely important because observation patients whose doctors order follow-up nursing home care or rehab will have to pay for it by themselves.

Food Programs

SNAP helps individuals and families buy food. Anyone can apply for SNAP. The amount you receive depends on your income, expenses, and your family size. If found eligible, you are given an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card which you use like a debit card at the grocery store, corner stores, and even some farmers' markets.

Roxbury also has a food pantry which is located at the Christ Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Hours are Wednesdays and Fridays 9 am to 1 pm.

Phone/Internet Service

The Lifeline Program and SafeLink Wireless provide low-income consumers a discount of up to $50 on monthly telephone or broadband internet service purchased from participating providers.

In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. Eligible households will receive a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service, and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Call Jerrilynn for more information.

"Take the Bus & Leave the Driving to Us"

About

The Town applied for and was awarded a grant to purchase a 12-passenger/2 wheelchair bus to increase transportation options for Roxbury senior/disabled residents.

• Roxbury Senior Bus: Policies and Procedures

Services

• Medical Appointments
• Recreational Trips
• Local Shopping

Shopping Schedule

Please Note: The bus will leave from the Senior Center at 9:30 am for all shopping trips. If you are unable to get to the Senior Center, we will pick you up. Please call 860-210-0201 if you want to hop on the bus. Should you get a voicemail, please clearly state your name, address, and phone number, and which day you want to go shopping.

Contact

Please call the Municipal Agent / Social Services at 860-210-0201 or the Senior Center Director at 860-210-0056 for rides in and out of Town (Dial-A-Ride).