In a unanimous vote, the Senior Millage Allocation Committee approved a one-year increase of program income limits for income-tested Senior Millage-funded programs to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level for 2022. The Senior Millage Allocation Committee is a 13-member volunteer board which oversees the administration of the Calhoun County Senior Millage.
Senior Millage has income limits on some of its programs to target the limited funds to those most in need of assistance who otherwise would not be able to afford to solve problems to continue to live independently with health, safety, and dignity. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Millage has seen a continued decrease in the number of seniors served in 2020 and 2021. In an effort to rebuild programs and serve more older adults, the Senior Millage Allocation Committee approved raising income limits to 250% of the Federal Poverty Level for the 2022 calendar year. For one person, this would be an income of $2,831 a month or $33,975 a year. For two people, their monthly income limit would be $3,815 or $45,775 annually.
Calhoun County Senior Millage Manager Helen Guzzo says, “This is a positive change for our community. The numbers of Calhoun County older adults served by Senior Millage-funded programs are down because of COVID restrictions and precautions. This expansion of services will help more people benefit from assistance available through these important programs administered through nine trusted nonprofit organizations operating in the County.”
To see if they qualify, interested individuals should call Calhoun County Senior Services at 269-781-0846, or contact a specific program directly. Countable income includes Social Security benefits (after the Medicare Part B premium is deducted), pensions, annuities, and 401K payments. Senior Millage programs are not asset-tested.
First approved by voters in 1996, Senior Millage funds 22 programs to serve older adults, age 60 and over, and was renewed for another ten years in 2020. The Millage raises about $3 million in tax dollars each year to provide services that promote health, safety, dignity, and independence for older adults.
