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
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
My mother needs her roof repaired, and has no money to fix it. Can someone help with this for free? She is 86 years old and lives on a fixed income. I live in California and can't help her. She is strong and will need to stay in her home for some years.
By Lydia
Check with community action agencies in your mom's area, and with the local Area Agency on Aging office. They should be aware of any home repair programs available for elderly homeowners.
Habitat for Humanity varies from area to area but I am not aware of any of them doing home repairs. Their mission and goal is to increase homeownership, but their focus is not to keep people in homes they already own.
A reverse mortgage might sound like a great idea but if you go this route be very careful. This area of mortgage lending is notorious for predatory practices. While many companies hawk reverse mortgages, the only safe route is through the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage program backed by HUD. More information can be found here, including a number to call and a searchable list of HUD-approved reverse mortgage lenders:
Also check with her city and county housing department offices. There are times that they offer free or low cost help for housing repairs.
Where I am, we have a charity called "Rebuilding Together" and it's a national group to make home repairs so seniors can stay in their home. Ask local churches. Habitat for Humanity where I am just had a program for "weatherization"; this includes roof repairs. You have to apply. Check with the H4H in her area or in yours for a referral, or check the website.
Call her County's Health and Human Services Department - they would know if there are any state or county programs, including any senior programs. Also, telephone a roofer (or bldg contractor) in her area and ask about any programs or charity.
A lot of repairs can be done cheaply, if you know what you are doing and don't need to replace the entire roof, and maybe she could afford a cheap repair that even a neighbor may be able to do.
If there is a county Office for the Aging, you should contact them. Here in upstate NY, they fixed my mother's roof, installed a handrail on the back steps and got her a new furnace. They help with safety issues, so that the elderly can stay in their own homes longer.
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.
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
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?
