How can my mom qualify for roof repair? It will need to be done soon. The roofer went out today to inspect, as we need a roof certification for insurance purposes that she needs vs the one she now has.
The house was built in 1960 and needs new roof soon. If the roofer finds it needs repairs just to get her roof cert now or before 2-14-14, she might have to stay w/her same insurance company. This is not good. We found a better carrier, but they require the roof cert and that will cost!
Is there any help around for seniors on "fixed income". She's 81 yrs. old and a widow.
By SL from Visalia, CA
There should be an organization in your state called Opportunities For Independent Living. Some people refer to it as OIL. Keep in mind that different cities in the same state might have a different name for the organization. Where I live it is called Independent Living Center, in another city in this state it is called Opportunities for Independent Living.
Look in your phone book and call any organization whose name sounds like it might be something like that. Or call your local Department of Social Services/Welfare Office and see if they know of an organization that can help you. there is income guidelines and if they do the repairs and your mother has to move out of the house for a certain reason within a certain time frame she will have to pay back a pro-rated amount. A few years ago my sister had OIL make some repairs on her house, and because she had to go into a nursing home within the specified time frame she had to pay back a certain amount of money. Also speak to your pastor he might be willing to take up a special anonymous offering in church, but I don't know if that would amount to enough.
Regarding your insurance. First, you are not locked into your old one. You can cancel and change it at any time, not just renewal time. The billing is simply pro-rated. Also, your current insurance also can come and do an inspection at any time as well. I used to work for an insurance company and we just pulled them at random to do inspections.
You may also want to check with nearby vo-tech and building programs at the high school. I had a shed built by a high school building trades class. They did excellent work, and I only had to pay for the materials (no labor charge).
In Texas, I recently inquired about getting my house painted and windows repaired/replaced. There were options for many different cosmetic or badly needed repairs, paiting, depending on your needs. There is a section about paining homes, roofs replaced, all the way to plumbing repairs, electrical and etc. If you are low income you have to meet certain criteria to receive assistance.
In Fort Worth it goes through the City of Fort Worth and some are called "weatherization". There is another section about living arrangements for seniors.I found assistance information by putting in search "assistance for seniors with repairs, roofing and painting." That brought up several options to read for your own situation. Good luck, oredwine
My wife and I are 72 years old. We live on SS with no other income. Our roof is 31 years old and needs to be replaced. We cannot afford to pay for a new roof because we live month to month with what we both receive from SS to pay for all our bills. Is there somebody that could help us out?
By Bob W.
Contact a church in your area. Baptist Churches have youth groups called World Changers that do this. They may also have people in the congregation who may help do it. Good Luck and God Bless.
It may be worth checking to see whether there's a firm that would be interested in leasing your roof to put solar panels on it, if it is south facing. You get cheaper electricity and the firm gets the feed in tariff for whatever you don't use. The solar firm will need to put up scaffolding to install solar panels, so you can take advantage of the scaffolding for you or a friend to patch the worst leaks, and the cheaper electricity will put you in a better financial position to take out a loan for a more thorough job in a few months' time.
Hello - probably most of the people reading Thrifty has some of the same problems you are having (need versus not enough money) so all anyone can do is offer places for you to ask for help.
We have no idea where you are located (what country?) but the advice may be the same. Check local churches, local charities, etc. for addresses of where to go and who to see.
Many people in Florida still have tarps on their roofs from hurricane damages that happened years ago.
My mom has dementia. I quit my job to take care of her. Her roof is leaking and the ceiling in her home has fallen in. It's raining in her house. We need to find help please.
I am 80 years and low income and have wind and hail damage on my roof. The house was built in 1995 and has not been re-roofed. My insurance wants a $5,000 deductible, which I do not have. I live in Stockton, Missouri. Is there any help for me?
By Nancy
I don't think they insurance company wants the $5,000. That is the amount of the deductable and that means they will pay for a certain amount and the deductable is what you will have to pay the contractor that does the repairs. Do you have an estimate for the repairs and let the insurance company know how much it is? Also talk to different contractors, you might be able to find one that is lower cost. A good quality roof shouldn't have to be replaced in less than 20 years, providing there isn't storm damage. The one house we owned was built in 1973 and in the mid 90s the roof was still good.
There is an organization that is nation wide that helps seniors and disabled low income people with home repairs. I don't know what it is called where you live, because in different states and even in different cities. It is strictly income based, and just because you consider yourself low income, doesn't mean that you actually are. There is also a waiting list. Also if they would repair your roof you have to remain in the house for a certain number of years and if for some reason you would have to leave the house, you would have to pay back the money on a pro-rated basis. You could also speak to your pastor if you have one. Sometimes they will take up a special offering for a low income member of the congregation and there might even be some people in the church that could do the work and maybe even donate some of the necessary materials needed for the repairs.
My mom lives in Chicago, Illinois. Her roof is leaking and needs to be fixed. She is 86 and wants to stay in her home. She has insurance, but we can't come up with the 1000.00 deductible. We contacted the Department of Aging and she was put on an emergency list "last" December and rain is now destroying her back bedroom. With winter coming her heating bill will be high if the roof does not collapse in the mean time. Any suggestions where to go for help?
By Pat L from Chicago, IL
Was the damage done by a storm, otherwise I don't think homeowners insurance will cover it, even if you had the $1,000.00 deductible. Talk to your mother's pastor, sometimes, if a church doesn't have the cash up front, they will take up a special offering during a service. That being said it might be time for her to move into an apartment.
My late Dad didn't want to leave his house, and the workshop he had in the back yard, where he puttered around and did some wood working, but we did get him moved into an apartment where it was all seniors/disabled people. It was only a matter of time before he made new friends, and they would get together and play cards, visit, etc. The ladies/couples in the building would bring him part of their meals. His apartment was about 70 miles from where he had lived.
See if you have an energy assistance agency in your area. It is usually through community assistance and can be found through them. She should qualify for help.
If she is a church attendant you may want to put the word out she needs the money or the repairs. I hope those help.
I'm in need of a new roof. My husband is dead so I don't have help with doing work on my home. I have been trying to do everything a little at a time, but the roof is catching up with me.
It is raining in my house now. Where can I get some help? I'm 71years young and just went back to work.I live in Jax Florida. My sister is a disabled senior who just started getting Social Security. We have tried all the local and state agencies. She needs her roof replaced. Even the rafters are bad! Nobody seems to be able to help.
By deana0123 from Jax, FL
Contact the home builder's association where you live. Where I live they do repair work for seniors and disabled people, for a brief period of time every year, and due to finances they can only do a certain number a year. Have your sister speak to her pastor, there might be some people in the church that could help her.
My brother is a 75 years old and is a very sick man. He draws very little from Social Security. His roof is leaking and we haven't been able to get any health/help agencies from Pikeville, Kentucky, to do anything.
They promised to come, but didn't call or come. Is there anyone or agency that could possibly fix his roof? He also has a leak around his bathtub area.Is there anywhere besides the city roofing program seniors can get free help?
My grandfather who will be 80 later this year and is living on Social Security only is in need of some roof repair. My brother and I, with our spouses, have been trying to make the other repairs that are needed. I still have to save the money for painting the inside of the house. The roof caused a leak in the dining room over the table. It has gotten to the point that I and my brother can't keep making all of the repairs and I don't know what else to do. Even if I could get half of the roof done for now I would be ever so grateful. Where can we go?
By Jennifer
There is a government funded agency that does home repairs for seniors and disabled people. The drawback is I can't tell you the name because I do know it has different names in different states and even different names in different cities in the same state.
You might try asking about Opportunities for Independent Living(OIL). If you Dad has a social worker/welfare worker they might know something about it. Otherwise start asking your State and Federal politicians There is a waiting list and it does go by income.
That being said, if you can get the repairs made by this organization, your Dad will have to stay in the house for a certain number of years or else pay back the money that was spend on the repairs, on a pro-rated basis.
Also from what I have heard, at least in the area where I live they don't do shingles, they do some kind of metal roof. I have been told that doesn't look as nice as shingles would, but it would be better than nothing. Otherwise speak with your Dad's or your pastor, sometimes they will take up a special, anonymous offering for a needy member of the congregation. There might also be members of the congregation that can do the labor and might be some that can furnish some of the necessary materials.
