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XII. SERVICES

A. GRANTS FOR SENIOR CENTERS

Section 703 (a) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-117) authorized grants to local public bodies and agencies to assist in financing specific projects for neighborhood facilities. One of the types of facilities for which such grants might be used is senior centers. (For details, see V-5.)

B. HEARINGS ON "SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE"

On August 18 and 19, 1965, hearings were conducted by the Subcommittee on Federal, State, and Community Services, Special Committee on Aging, on "Services to the Elderly on Public Assistance." The subcommittee plans to issue a report later, based upon these hearings and additional information which it receives.

C. "YOU, THE LAW, AND RETIREMENT"

During April 1965 the Office of Aging published a booklet, "You, the Law, and Retirement," written by an attorney, Virginia Lehman. Its purpose is to inform retired and other older individuals why, how, and when to consult a lawyer. Copies are for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402, at 25 cents per copy.

D. RETIREMENT PLANNING BOOKLET

During the autumn of 1965, the Administration on Aging published a retirement planning booklet entitled "Are You Planning On Living the Rest of Your Life?" Regarding it, the Administration on Aging said:

Developed by the Mayor's Commission for Senior Citizens, Chicago, it is a sort of "do-it-yourself planner," that can be used comfortably at home.

Copies are for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402, at 30 cents per

copy.

E. SENIOR CITIZENS' MONTH

By proclamation, signed April 10, 1965, President Johnson designated May 1965 as Senior Citizens' Month.

XIII. SOCIAL SECURITY

A. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE ELDERLY

(See II-A and appendix.)

B. OASDI CASH BENEFITS FOR THE ELDERLY

Provisions of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 which affected old-age, survivors, and disability insurance cash benefits:

1. Section 301 provides a 7-percent across-the-board increase in monthly cash benefits, effective retroactive to January 1, 1965, with a minimum increase of $4 for retired workers aged 65 and older. As a result, the minimum monthly benefit for workers retiring after reaching 65 became $44.

2. Section 333 continues entitlement to benefits of widows who remarry after age 60 and widowers who remarry after age 62. Such an individual is now entitled to either one-half the retirement benefit of the former spouse or a spouse's benefit based upon the earnings of the present spouse, whichever benefit is larger.

3. Section 307 made widows eligible for reduced benefits at age 60. Previously, they could not begin receiving cash benefits before reaching age 62.

4. Section 309 reduces the number of quarters of coverage required for eligibility for cash benefits for certain very elderly workers and their widows. A special benefit would be paid beginning at age 72. As a result, eligibility can be based upon as little as three quarters of coverage.

(See III-C.)

C. LIBERALIZING EARNINGS LIMITATIONS

D. PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

1. Health care. (See II-B.)

2. Section 401 of Public Law 89-97 increased Federal payments for public assistance from twenty-nine thirty-fifths of the first $35 to thirty-one thirty-sevenths of the first $37. Section 405 required the States to pass along these increases to recipients instead of merely reducing State contributions by the amount of the Federal increase. 3. Section 402 of Public Law 89-79 authorized protective payments to a person who is interested in or concerned with the welfare of a recipient who is unable to handle his own funds, with certain safeguards.

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XIV. WAR ON POVERTY

A. HEARINGS ON "THE WAR ON POVERTY AS IT AFFECTS OLDER AMERICANS"

The following full committee hearings of the Senate Special Committee on Aging were held on "The War on Poverty as It Affects Older Americans."

Washington, D.C., June 16 and 17, 1965.

Newark, N.J., July 10, 1965.

When Congress adjourned on October 23, 1965, an additional hearing was planned for Boston, Mass., in January 1966. A report on this subject is planned to be issued during January 1966.

B. AMENDMENT TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was amended by adding a new section entitled "Programs for the Elderly Poor":

SEC. 610. It is the intention of Congress that whenever feasible the special problems of the elderly poor shall be considered in the development, conduct, and administration of programs under this Act.

This was added to H.R. 8283 (which was eventually enacted as Public Law 89-253) when that bill was in the Senate. The need for such an amendment was shown in the hearings which had previously been conducted by the Special Committee on Aging, and several members of the committee were active in adding it to the bill.

C. ELDERLY PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED

On August 29, 1965, the President announced funding of four "war on poverty" projects in the amount of $41,000,000, to help the elderly out of poverty, as follows:

1. Foster grandparents, a program of compensating the elderly who serve as "substitute parents" for children in institutions who need sustained adult love, attention, and guidance of the type provided other children by their parents. The President announced the immediate beginning of 22 projects in 20 States with $2,700,000 of economic opportunity grants. He estimated that the program within a year will reach into all 50 States at a total cost of $10 million.

2. Home health aids: 10,000 elderly individuals will be trained to bring help and comfort to the bedridden sick and disabled, in a program to which $20,000,000 was allocated.

3. Care for children from broken homes: 1,800 elderly individuals will work in this program to which $5 million was allocated.

4. Help for mentally retarded children: 2,400 elderly individuals will be trained during late 1965 to meet the needs of

mentally retarded children, for which purpose $6 million was allocated.

D. REPORT OF TASK FORCE ON PROGRAMS FOR OLDER PERSONS

During August 1965 OEO Director Shriver made public a report of the OEO Task Force on Programs for Older Persons, which contained 10 model programs which could be utilized for combating poverty among the elderly.

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