I am responding to the article ?Funding dries up for state Holocaust assistance.? I want your readers to know that, regardless of any cessation of certain funding streams for such assistance in Washington State, Jewish Family Service continues to have substantial emergency funds available to help both Holocaust survivors and other older adults with the following:

? Short-term (?transitional?) home care and home health care

? Prescription medication assistance

? Payment of rent and utilities to avoid eviction or shut-off

? ?Deep? housecleaning for those unable to maintain their homes independently

? Repair or replacement of essential appliances or furniture

? Payment of medical bills not covered by Medicare or Medicaid

? Payment for companion services for older adults who are isolated or unable to leave their residence (this may include people in assisted living facilities or nursing homes)

? Burial costs, when not covered by other private or public funds

? Other personal ?emergencies? considered on a case-by-case basis

Generally speaking, an applicant may qualify for assistance if he or she has less than $36,000 per year in income ? or a couple has less than $48,000. Some funds are more restrictive.

Assistance is limited to $1,500 in a calendar year, unless the recipient is receiving home care, home health care, or hospice care. In that case, assistance is limited to $2,500 per year. In unusual cases, exceptions can be made and additional assistance provided.

The application consists of a brief interview, conducted at the applicant?s home by a social worker from Jewish Family Service. All applications for assistance are kept strictly confidential. Financial assistance is offered at the discretion of Jewish Family Service, and depends upon the availability of funds. The amount of assistance granted may vary from case to case.

Those wishing to apply for emergency funds may contact me at 206-461-3240, ext. 8783, or jrelin@jfsseattle.org.

Jewish Family Service plans to continue providing meaningful emergency assistance to aging residents of Greater Seattle long into the foreseeable future. Thank you for making this information available to those who may need it.

Jane E. Relin

Director of Aging and Adult Programs

Jewish Family Service, Seattle