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Benefits Counselors
Who are they and do I need one?
By Sandra Fusion, Staff Writer
Where do they work?
Benefits counselors do not always work for the AAA.
Because the AAAs were empowered by the Older Americans
Act, you can search for a certified benefits counselor
through these agencies. However, there are other
organizations that employ benefits counselors. Some of
these examples include your local human service offices,
county welfare offices, and community-based
organizations that serve the elderly and/or disabled.
Another method you can use to find a benefits counselor
is by calling an information and referral helpline. In
more than 46 percent of the United States, you can dial
2-1-1 and reach a trained professional who can identify
organizations in your community where benefits
counselors work. If your area does not have access to
2-1-1, usually there is one point of entry into the
human service system. Some places call it a helpline
while others call it information and referral. To find
out if your community has access to 2-1-1, you can look
online at www.211.org. The nationwide status map can
also give insight into where to call if your area is not
served by 2-1-1.
Learning about available benefits for yourself or
someone else can be challenging. For this reason alone,
it is important to have a trained professional review
your situation and point out avenues you may not have
considered investigating.
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