Help, please! Elderly neighbors in danger of losing home!

[Beartracks]

Can someone here offer some suggestions for how best to help our neighbors?

They are an elderly couple living, I presume, on a fixed income. In the last few years they have had a few health issues arise between them, including knee surgery, dementia, and recurrent UTIs. The husband is nearly 90, and a veteran (Marine, I think).

For the last few months we have helped them out by paying their city utility bill until their checks arrived, and the wife insisted on paying us back, even if it was in change. Last month, she didn't pay us back. Today, she asked my wife for help again, as they just got the water cutoff notice. Additionally, their phone has now been cut off for the second time.

Our impression is that the wife does not want the husband to know she's seeking help, but today she seemed to be at her wit's end, crying and very uncertain about the future. She indicated their house was going to be "auctioned" next month.

Their water bill is not exorbitant, and I can probably cover it for a while, but obviously doing so is not addressing any larger financial problems they're having.

What can we do to help them? What organizations can provide guidance and assistance? Who do we call? They have a son, but I think they've burned bridges there with the daughter-in-law. There's no local Neighbor-for-Neighbor around here. She said they intend to go the V.A. office in a nearby city (if they can afford the gas), but I don't know what kind of help they can expect there. We're afraid this couple might lose their home or get split up (i.e. him in a V.A. hospital, her on her own). If they lose the house, she says, she honestly doesn't know what they will do.

Can anyone offer some suggestions?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Do they have a church?

I would ask first there. if not, start calling local non-profits and politicians offices till you find someone who can help.

[Beartracks]

4. I don't know about churches.

Thanks, We had also thought about calling around to local churches. I don't know if they belong to one or not. Are you thinking churches would simply have a ready black book of non-profits? That might speed up access to things.

Do you know: What kind of programs does the V.A. have, if any?

By the way, the wife indicated they make too much money to qualify for things like food stamps, which might mean they'd have trouble qualifying for anything that's income-based.

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[pipi_k]

2. Personally, I would

go public with this.

Contact a local TV station or two and get them involved in what is a travesty.

Elderly people. The man is a Vet.

Don't they have children or other relatives who can help?

Anyway, yeah...I would let the local TV station make news of this, and that way there's a better chance that someone who can help, will...

[Beartracks]

12. Once I know more about their home status....

... going "public" may be helpful. Hopefully I'll know more by the end of the weekend about what she meant by "auction."

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[Honeycombe8]

3. Most people have paid off their home by that age. You sure they have a mtge?

Do they have kids or other relatives? That's who I'd notify first.

I'm concerned you're being taken advantage of. Trust...but verify. WHO is going to auction their house? When you find that out, double check that on the internet. Anything that is going to be auctioned is a public matter, and there will be a public notice.

If they are THAT poor, they may qualify for Medicaid.

I'd notify relatives and find out if they belong to a religious organization. You really don't have the information you need to resolve their financial situation.

[Beartracks]

7. True, I don't have all the details.

We'd like to talk to the other neighbors across the street; that couple and the nextdoor couple have been friends for years, and were among the first in the neighborhood. Those folks are already taking care of the lawn and stuff. We'd appreciate their insight before doing anything. They'll probably know more about any faith community, as well.

The neighborhood is only about 20 yrs old at most, so it's possible they still have mortgage.

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[crunch60]

5. OWS protesters have stepped in and help several people save their homes

or get a reprieve. Do you have a group in your area that you could contact? They try to get media coverage of the occupy event. It has been very successful.

[Beartracks]

13. Interesting, I wouldn't have thought of that.

Hopefully I'll know more by the end of the weekend about what she meant by "auction." I don't know if this is some kind of bank action or not.

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[Wait Wut]

6. They'd probably be too proud to do so...

...but, I'd write a letter to the local paper. He's obviously a veteran, someone or a group of someones will help. If it's already going to auction, the time is limited. I'd get vocal quick. Try to get their approval by telling them that there are thousands of other seniors that will be facing the same situation. Their voice could help change things and possibly save others homes. Write your congresscritter, write the mayor, city council, anyone you can think of. Let them know that if something isn't done, you'll be even more vocal during elections. If you have a powerful Dem locally, this could be something they'd be interested in hearing about. You can do all of this without mentioning their names, but if you live in a small community, it won't remain a secret long.

Seniors being thrown out on the street is disgusting. And, I doubt the VA will be able to help. Separating them would be devastating.

Oh, and find out who their mortgage bank is. Write them and let them know you're aware of the situation and that you're doing what you can to embarrass the shit out of them. Hopefully, it's a bank with a local branch.

I wish I had the perfect answer. More than that, I wish I was part of the 1%. I'd be writing a check.

[Beartracks]

10. Yes, the gentleman is a proud guy.

For example, he takes a lot of pride in having been able to do lawnwork in 100-degree heat at his age a couple years ago. When the friend across the street had to start mowing his lawn, they tell me he sat down and cried.

This is why I think the wife may be trying to make ends meet without his knowing that she is borrowing money. It's also why I do need to get more info about their situation before doing anything further (i.e. see what the folks across the street know, and see if they can help, too).

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[elleng]

8. No way to tell; you really need facts,

which may be impossible for you to obtain, unless wife will provide you with paperwork/notice. Can't tell what help they actually need.
Sorry.

[mrmpa]

9. Your county should have a Senior area agency on aging...........

that's step 1, he's a veteran get in touch with the VA and also if he was a Marine, check to see if you a Marine Corps League in the area, there's a lot of knowledge in these Leagues. Marine Corps League, also has programs like "Marines helping Marines" for current and former Marines in trouble or in need. if not Marine, check VFW and/or American Legion.

That's all I've got for you right now.

[Beartracks]

11. Hadn't thought about the Marines' programs.

Does Marines Helping Marines only provide assistance to those wounded in battle?

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[mrmpa]

17. not necessarily...

our local Marine Corps League helped a veteran whose house was in disrepair. They've also helped wounded. Each League's individual detachment makes decisions on what they can do. The national website is mcleague.org. From there you can find the detachment's in your state.

[riverwalker]

14. VA Aid and Attendance program

should be looked into, it is often overlooked. Will cover many costs to keep vet in private home, or pay for assisted living. Does not need to be disabled, just any vet who needs additional help.
http://www.veteranaid.org/

[Beartracks]

16. Thanks for this link. n/t

[turtlerescue1]

15. Find the family members first.

They need to show up in person!

Perhaps the wife is trying to protect her husband's health. Might be due to the health issues there was a 2nd mtge.... A Reverse mtge.

The Churches should have a database of social agencies.

First Call For Help, via United Way. Or United Way 2-1-1. Dunno where you/they live. Try Online for your area. If you have no access to FCFH. There is usually a Legal counsel for seniors, again depends on where you live. If you live say in MN, you've got a gold mine of resources.

Don't go to the media UNTIL you know about family members.

Also your State Atty Gen. should have referrals for this situation.

First step get to your local city councilperson or county commissioner, and simply explain.

This could get really messy and ugly quickly.

Are they eating? Is either one homebound due to health? I had an elderly neighbor who I had no idea was eating tins of cat food two weeks a month, because of the price and to get by on what her income was.

Community health agencies is another thought. Except that could get messy. There would be assessments, etc. and those are frightening no matter your age.

Good luck.