Easter Seals Disability Services

The Oregon Money Management Program
Protecting the Vulnerable

The aim of the Money Management Program (MMP) is to offer low-income individuals, including seniors and people with disabilities, peace of mind, independence, and protection from financial exploitation through three core volunteer-based services: Financial Education, Bill Payer Services, and Representative Payee Services.

Financial security is more than simply having money on which to live.  It's also being able to pay bills and handle taxes and other financial tasks on a timely basis.  For many Oregonians, that's more than they can handle. The problem is compounded for people who are older or who live with a disability.  In many instances, family or friends help; however, many low-income, vulnerable individuals have no one in their lives able or appropriate to help them. That’s where the MMP can help.

MMP services are offered free of charge to low-income individuals through trained volunteers. The program, developed by AARP in 1981, has a proven track record of being safe, reliable and effective.  In 2007, Easter Seals Oregon joined forces with AARP and became the State Coordinating Agency for the MMP, and is responsible for program expansion, support and oversight.

SERVICES OFFERED
Financial Education - Money Coach Service
Free one-on-one coaching by highly skilled volunteers is now available through the Easter Seals "Money Coach" service. This program aims to help low-to-moderate income individuals improve their current and future financial status through guidance on budgeting, spending, and goal setting.  

Bill Payer Service
Trained volunteers work one-on-one with low-income individuals who remain in control of their finances but who need long-term help with financial matters, such as budgeting, organizing financial papers, checkbook balancing, and bill paying.

Representative Payee Service
The Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, and the Railroad Retirement Board appoint Representative Payees to manage federal benefits of individuals who do not have the capacity to do so themselves. MMP volunteers provide Representative Payee services to low-income individuals who do not have anyone in their lives who is able or appropriate to be their payee.  

PROGRAM SAFEGUARDS
 - Program volunteers are screened to ensure suitability to work with vulnerable individuals.
 - Volunteers receive specialized training with ongoing education and supervision.
 - Personal and financial information is kept in strict confidence.
 - Checks and balances are in place protecting program participants from loss and volunteers and program sponsors from liability. 
 - AARP will reimburse Bill Payer and Representative Payee participants if they suffer financial loss due to misuse or mistakes made by program volunteers or sponsors.

SERVICE AVAILABILITY
As the State Coordinating Agency for the nationwide AARP Money Management Program, Easter Seals Oregon works with community partners and volunteers to support local and state program operations.  Easter Seals Oregon is committed to expanding money management services throughout our service area.  Bill Payer and Representative Payee services are offered through local program sponsors.  Dollars & Sense service is available statewide through teams of community volunteers, and is coordinated by Easter Seals Oregon, local program sponsors and other program partners.

 
For more information or to learn how you can volunteer or help establish a new program in your area, please contact Carol Cookson, Program Director, Easter Seals Oregon at (800)-556-6020 or mmp@or.easterseals.com.

To locate Money Management programs outside Oregon, please visit the AARP Money Management Program website at: http://www.aarpmmp.org/ . The Money Management Program is part of the AARP Foundation, AARP’s affiliated charity.