MONEY MANAGEMENT | SERVICES
Empowering Seniors Through Financial Support
Photo courtesy of Galena Country Tourism
Financial Guidance for Independent Living
Free Money Management Support
The Money Management Program at the Senior Resource Center offers free financial management assistance to eligible seniors.
In today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—especially when bills go unpaid or arrive late.
Whether it’s due to a serious illness, the loss of a spouse or family support, or challenges like difficulty reading, many older adults find themselves in need of financial guidance.
Sponsored by the Illinois Department on Aging, this program is part of a statewide initiative known as the Illinois Volunteer Money Management Program—a service designed to help older adults manage their finances and remain independent.
The Illinois Department on Aging provides the program's policies, procedures, and materials. Locally, the program is supported by the Money Management Coordinator at the Senior Resource Center and a team of trained volunteers, who ensure ongoing training, supervision, and support for participants.
If you or someone you care about needs help with financial tasks, we offer three in-home service options, each thoughtfully designed to meet individual needs.
Option 1
Advisory Program
Our Advisory Program is dedicated to helping older adults manage their monthly bills with ease and confidence, by providing personalized support, budgeting guidance, and reliable oversight to ensure bills are paid accurately and on time—reducing stress and promoting financial well-being.
Option 2
Bill Payer Program
Our Bill Payer Program offers hands-on assistance with opening and organizing mail, writing checks, balancing checkbooks, creating budgets, and communicating with creditors. We also help with financial assistance applications when needed. The Money Management Coordinator will work with you to determine if this personalized program is the right fit for your needs.
Option 3
Representative Payee Program
If you or a loved one can no longer manage personal finances, our Representative Payee Program can help. Appointed by the Social Security Administration, the Senior Resource Center safely manages monthly federal benefits on behalf of clients, ensuring bills are paid and needs are met. Our Money Management Coordinator oversees expenses through a secure, separate bank account where benefit checks are direct deposited. We'll work with you to determine if this service is the right fit for your situation.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Money Management services, individuals must be active Community Care Program or have a substantiated Adult Protective Services case; and meet program requirements. To learn more about this program and find out if you’re eligible, contact the Senior Resource Center at 815-235-9777.
Safeguards – Locally Run, State Supported
The Money Management Program is administered by the Illinois Department on Aging and carried out by local program sites across the state. These sites are responsible for recruiting, training, and matching volunteers, as well as providing ongoing support and monitoring to ensure quality service.
How to Volunteer with the Illinois Volunteer Money Management Program
Volunteers receive training and ongoing support to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
If you are interested in helping older adults stay independent by assisting with budgeting, bill paying, and financial organization, fill out our Volunteer Form!
