WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

Hitting the ‘donut hole’ could have been a holiday nightmare for Gwen. Both Gwen and her husband are retired and living on Social Security and have Medicare, but make just a little too much to qualify for assistance such as SNAP benefits. They budget carefully to cover medical expenses because of Gwen’s chronic illness. They just about made it to the end of December when Gwen entered the Medicare ‘donut hole.’

When your total drug costs – including what you and your plan have paid for your drugs – reaches a certain limit, which in 2023 was $4,660, you enter the donut hole. When you reach that amount, you have to pay all costs out-of-pocket for your prescriptions. Because Gwen was on an expensive medication for her chronic illness, she was facing a prescription cost of over $250, which was out of reach for their tight budget. Hesitantly, she came to Crisis Control Ministry.

Chelsea Franzese, assistant director of client services, reviewed Gwen’s request for help with her prescription. “I could see how stressed she was,” Franzese said. “This was the first time she had reached the donut hole and she was totally unprepared for it.” 

Franzese was able to assist Gwen through Crisis Control’s free pharmacy. Her Medicare insurance starts over in 2024 and her prescriptions will again be covered with a co-pay of $40, which she can handle. Gwen was “super grateful” for this “Christmas miracle,” because she could continue to take her much-needed medication.

Crisis Control helps seniors in many ways. Their licensed free pharmacy helps seniors when they reach the donut hole and cannot afford their medications. The pharmacy also supplies Boost or Ensure and adult diapers when available. These are much requested items that are expensive for older adults on a fixed income and donations are very much appreciated year ‘round.

Many seniors make just above the limit to qualify for SNAP (food stamp) benefits, or may only receive a small amount each month. Crisis Control’s client choice food pantry can help when there is “more month left at the end of their money.” Clients can shop their food pantry for the foods they like, which is especially helpful for those on a strict diet or have to limit certain foods for health reasons.

They can also help with electric or gas bills to keep our neighbors warm during the cold winter months. According to Franzese, what they’re seeing more of now is requests for fuel oil. Currently, one hundred gallons of fuel oil, about one month’s heat, costs $415. For someone on a fixed income, this could mean living in a cold house to be able to afford groceries or medications. Crisis Control can provide one fill up of fuel oil to meet an emergency situation.

Older adults have also been experiencing a significant increase in rent this year. For many seniors, the large increase they received in Social Security in 2023 was quickly eaten up with rent increases, but the cost for deposits and to move is beyond their ability to pay. Crisis Control can help with rent or mortgage payments or a deposit to move to more affordable housing in a crisis situation.

Some seniors believe that since they are on Social Security, which is a government program, that they can’t qualify for any other assistance. This isn’t true. There is help available but seniors may need direction or referrals to be aware of these services.

Interviews for Crisis Control’s services are being conducted by phone. If you or someone you know is facing a financial crisis, please call 336-724-7453 to speak with an interviewer. For more information about the services and programs they offer, visit www.crisiscontrol.org.