The Area Agency on Aging in Maricopa County says it’s seeing a rise in the number of older adults who are calling for financial help with their utilities.
For many older adults on fixed incomes, summer can be a financially stressful time — with higher electric bills, plus rent and other expenses.
Cindy Saverino is the senior vice president of planning and program Development at the Area Agency on Aging in Maricopa County, which, among other things, helps seniors cover their bills.
She says usually, in the summer, it’s the rent or air conditioning costs, but this year, “We were surprised by that — about how much the water bills were. You know, we've never seen water bills that high for our clients.”
Those who are calling for help are often months behind on bills. Saverino says they’re seeing older adults in their 70s and 80s needing to go back to work to keep up with the rising costs of living, which also includes the cost of food. She says many seniors saw cuts to their SNAP benefits.
“They were getting, you know, $200. Now they're getting $23 a month. … And, so you know, the fact that these individuals are thinking about going back to work, they're in their 80s and they're like, what do I do here?” she said.
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