Senior Citizens' Services Funds
Senior Citizens' Services Fund boards are established with the sole purpose of providing services to persons sixty years of age or older. Their mission is to support and value the well-being of senior adults by helping to provide a broad range of services and programs which will improve the health, nutrition, and quality of life for persons who are sixty years of age or older.
What Is A Senior Citizens’ Services Fund?
Many older adults live alone, have fixed incomes, struggle with health problems, and have mobility issues that threaten their independence and well being.
Senior Citizens’ Service Funds are established to help provide basic services and nutrition to seniors who need a helping hand. The governing body of any county, upon approval of a majority of the qualified voters of such county or city voting thereon, levy and collect a tax not to exceed five cents per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
The tax is collected along with other county or city taxes and deposited in a special fund for the provision of services for persons sixty years of age or older. Deposits in the fund shall be expended only upon approval of the appointed board of directors and only in accordance with the fund budget approved by the county or city governing body.
Currently within the SeniorAge Territory, there are 11 Senior Citizens’ Service Funds Established including Barry, Christian, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Oregon. Polk, Shannon, Stone, Taney, and Webster Counties.
Who Benefits From A Senior Citizens’ Services Fund?
All grants made from the Senior Citizens’ Services Tax Fund benefit the local County citizens 60 years of age or older.
What Benefits Are Provided By A Senior Citizens’ Services Fund?
Once a tax levy is approved, the county commissioners appoint a seven-member board of directors to manage the fund. The board will issue grants to provide programs that improve the health, nutrition, and quality of life for persons sixty years of age or older.
Services might include:
- Home-delivered meals
- Senior center development
- Transportation options
- Care for seniors in their home
- Home-safety programs
- Health care assistance
- Respite
- Options counseling for independence planning
How Much Does A Senior Citizens’ Services Fund Cost?
County taxes are only be five cents per each $100 dollars of assessed real estate and personal property! A home owner would pay only $9.50 per year for an assessed home value of $100,000.