Elderbridge Client Assistance (CA) provides vital support to older Iowans and adults with disabilities facing unexpected financial challenges. This assistance is crucial during times of hardship, such as the loss of a spouse, job loss, financial exploitation, and other dire circumstances.
To qualify for CA assistance, individuals must:
Be enrolled in an Elderbridge program.
Meet with a counselor for a financial assessment.
Meet income and asset limits.
Demonstrate a medically necessary need or a need for safety, independence, or to delay nursing home placement.
CA funds a wide range of essential services, including:
Housing and Utilities: Emergency shelter, utility assistance.
Medical Equipment: Assistive devices, lift chairs, scooters, hearing aids, eyeglasses.
Home Modifications: Ramps, minor home repairs, vehicle modifications, safety bars.
Transportation: Travel expenses, moving expenses.
Medical and Dental Services: Medical and dental care.
Daily Living Assistance: Medication copays, appliance replacement, in-home services (bathing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, snow removal, respite).
Nutrition: Frozen or shelf-stable meals for homebound adults.
Safety and Technology: Personal emergency response systems (GPS), Grandpad tablets for telehealth appointments or isolated clients.
Elderbridge strives to source items and services from local businesses or current Home and Community-Based Service providers. When local options are limited, we explore neighboring counties or online resources. Payments are sent directly to the vendors or providers.
Although CA is not required under the Older Americans Act, Elderbridge continues the program due to growing unmet needs and reduced coverage from Medicaid, Medicare, and other insurers. Established over 15 years ago to promote independence, CA has persisted despite funding challenges. Since FY22, federal and state grant reductions, along with inflation, have affected Elderbridge services.
CA funds are distributed first-come, first-served unless designated for specific counties. In FY25, Elderbridge allocated $40,000 to CA, averaging $1,379 per county. Larger or poorer counties often exhaust funds faster.
