New Haven Independent

How You Can Help: Web-Surf for Seniors

by Tess Wheelwright | June 2, 2006 4:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Susanne Turi knows about an on-line benefits-searching tool seniors can’t afford to miss. It’s a web site that gives older Americans a “check-up” based on their financial status, and reports back all the state and federal assistance programs they qualify for. Turi also knows web-surfing still isn’t the most comfortable sport for many in the older generation. So she volunteers at the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut on Longwharf Drive, guiding seniors through cyberspace and the potentially tricky registration process. Getting poor seniors over the “Oh my God, This is too complicated!” hump and into the programs they deserve is “tremendously satisfying” — but more work than the current handful of volunteers can handle. If you’ve got four (or more) hours a month to help CT seniors surf for security, call the Agency’s Benefits Check Up director, Beverly Kidder, at (203)-785-8533 x 3161.