RESTORE NYSOFA FUNDING!

Many of my patients depend on NYSOFA funding and the critical services Erie County Senior Services provides. Cuts to this funding will put the health and well-being of thousands of Erie County seniors in jeopardy.

I am writing to urge you to restore critical funding to The New York State Office for the Aging to protect vital services for older New Yorkers.

These services keep costs down and ensure older New Yorkers remain as active and independent as possible at home in the community.

Please restore the following budget items in the final, 2017-2018 New York State Budget:

• Fully Restore New York Connects funding to The State Office for the Aging (SOFA) budget, and keep a dedicated, state-funded revenue stream in place to support NY Connects- serving more than 230,000 older New Yorkers and their families each year, with information and assistance on long term care options;

• Restore the 25% county match exemption under the Community Services for the Elderly (CSE) Program to preserve local funding to operate home delivered meals, non-medical transportation, in homecare and case management services, services for the elderly, so they can remain independent at home;

• Support an additional $24 million for Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP), in order to provide the 15,000 older New Yorkers on waiting lists statewide for EISEP services, such as case management and homecare;

• Reject $7.4 million in proposed cuts for Direct Care Worker cost of living adjustments (COLA’s).

This funding, enacted in 2015 to provide a wage increase to direct care workers who provide seniors with services such as personal care and bathing, is now slated for cuts because the funds weren’t adopted as anticipated, due to complications with worker identification.

I am counting on you to advocate for and use your influence to help preserve these critical services for seniors in New York State.

Thank you for your consideration and help with this important matter.