CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

How Does the Bill Payer Program Work?

The Bill Payer Program is a FREE service for seniors with limited financial resources who need help with monthly bill paying. Local agencies offer the Bill Payer Program in their communities, with citywide coordination provided by CSCS. Older adults who receive Bill Payer assistance make all decisions about how their money will be spent, and sign their own checks. Reasons for needing assistance with bill paying may include physical frailty or disability, visual impairment, memory loss or simply being overwhelmed with paperwork. For specific eligibility criteria, click here. Volunteers are recruited through mailings to AARP members, screened, trained and supervised to provide hands-on assistance with bill paying. They are matched one-on-one with older adults who live in the same community. Volunteers meet with clients in the privacy of their own homes to help:

• Organize paperwork
• Balance the checkbook
• Write out checks for the client¬ís signature
• Create a budget

Monitoring by the local agency protects clients, volunteers and the agency. Volunteers provide detailed monthly reports to the local Program Coordinator. Each month, someone other than the volunteer examines the client’s bank statements and cancelled check images for discrepancies. In the unlikely event that a mistake is made, AARP Foundation provides financial protection of client funds.

Where Can I Find a Bill Payer Program?

Currently, the Bill Payer program is offered by 8 community-based agencies in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Each program covers a designated region and accepts referrals from a broad network of social service agencies. To find out if Bill Payer services are available in your area, click here.

How Can I Make a Referral?

Referrals may be made directly to the Program Coordinator at the local agency offering the Bill Payer Program. He or she can answer questions about eligibility and explain in greater detail how the program works. General questions about the program may be directed to citywide Money Management Program Coordinator Amanda Leis at 212.398.6565 ext 230 or aleis@cscs-ny.org