By volunteering just a few hours a month with the Bill Payer Program, you can help make it possible for an older adult or a person with a disability to remain at home. Compassion, a desire to help and everyday life skills are the only qualifications needed.

Volunteers serve as Bill Payers, Monitors and Office Administrators, on a flexible schedule of their own choosing.  They pass reference, criminal background and credit checks.  Training and ongoing supervision are provided, and volunteers receive access to an exclusive website that serves as a comprehensive Bill Payer manual.

Bill Payers work one-on-one to help clients manage monthly paperwork.  Meetings take place once or twice monthly at a mutually convenient time, usually in the client's home. The time commitment is 4 - 6 hours a month, including reporting.

Tasks include help to:

• Review and organize monthly bills
• Write out checks for the client's signature
• Balance the client's checkbook
• Reconcile the bank statement

Depending on the individual's needs, the Bill Payer may also be called upon to help a client:

• Lower expenses and/or stick to a budget
• Access cash, using an established protocol
• Pay down debt or implement the advice of a credit counselor
• Gather documents needed by case workers for benefits and entitlements 

Bill Payers do not help clients with matters unrelated to monthly bills.  Non-bill paying needs are discussed with the Program Manager who reaches out to the client's case worker as needed.  AARP Foundation provides limited accident insurance for volunteers, and financial protection of funds for clients on the program.

Monitors and Office Administrators work on the monthly review of client bank statements and other projects in the Bill Payer Program office.

For information about volunteering with the program, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 718-858-2358, or complete and return the application available for download on this site. Click here to download the volunteer application.