Every checked fact
104 facts, each checked on its official page. The newest are first.
Money on the table
- MSFH matching grants pay $2 per $1 up to $10,000
- MSFH low-income grants list up to $10,000 no match
- VA's HISA home-change grant hasn't gone up since 2010
- HUD study: senior home-change grants averaged about $2,995 a home
- Florida's new budget includes $165.7 million for SHIP (state housing repair) housing money
- Florida's new budget adds $7.5 million for in-home elder care and $3 million for Alzheimer's help
- Gulf County SHIP (state housing repair) rehab still up to $60,000
- Alabama Elderly and Disabled waiver home changes cap at $5,000
- Florida LIHEAP lists household income caps
- Florida HCE pays $160 monthly basic subsidy
- Florida weatherization income caps listed by household
- Escambia SHIP (state housing repair) barrier removal up to $25,000
- Escambia SHIP (state housing repair) owner rehab max is $75,000
- Non-school homestead exemption rises in 2027-28
- My Safe Florida Home grants still open at $10,000 max
- SBA Isaias homeowner disaster loans start at 3 percent
- SBA Isaias loans allow up to 20 percent mitigation
- VA adapted-housing grants are unchanged: SHA up to $25,350 for FY 2026
- Georgia: Area Agency on Aging home repairs paid with Title IIIB funds cap at $2,000
- 2027 SSI federal rates rise to $1,029 single
- Florida refunds up to $500 in sales tax on impact windows and doors
- Medicare Extra Help in 2027: generic drugs cost up to $5.80 if your income qualifies
- Florida's extra senior homestead exemption: 2026 income limit is $38,686
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge lists a $50 monthly copay
- Okaloosa SHIP (state housing repair) owner rehab listed up to $100,000
- Okaloosa SHIP (state housing repair) rehab income limits as of May 2026
- Georgia Title IIIB home mods capped at $2,000
- VA HISA lifetime home-mod benefit remains $6,800
Deadline
- MSFH grantees must finish work within 18 months
- Plan dropped? A separate 63-day clock starts for Medigap without health questions
- VA caregiver stipend: older enrollees protected to 2028; new applicants are a separate group
- Florida's heating-bill help (LIHEAP) runs Oct 1 to Mar 31
- Florida Isaias FEMA deadline remains December 26
- Florida emergency bridge loans for small businesses hit by Isaias
- Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7
- SBA Isaias economic injury loans due July 27 2027
- Isaias disaster unemployment claims due December 28
- IRS moves Isaias Florida tax deadlines to Feb 8
- IRS moves Isaias Alabama tax deadlines to Feb 4
- Enroll by Nov 18 for online COLA notice
- SSI 3.6 percent increase starts December 31 2026
- Isaias small business bridge loans close November 25
- Money Follows the Person, which helps Medicaid members move out of institutions, is extended through Sept 30, 2027
Product recall
- Little Giant ladders recalled for sudden retract falls
- DREO Recalls DR-HSH015 Space Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
- VQQQ Gas Patio Heaters Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire and Burn Hazards
- UsOpal Recalls Xalirium Portable Bed Rails Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails
- Agrish Reannounces and Expands Recall of Adult Portable Bed Rails Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails; Additional Units Added
- YunHeng Recalls LandTale Bed Rails Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails
- Golden Resale Recalls Portable Camping Showers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Fire Hazard
- Hayward Industries Recalls Universal Pool Heaters Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard.
- JKMAX Recalls Heated Blankets and Heating Pads Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
- Adult Portable Bed Rails Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails; Sold on Amazon by Loyoda Direct and Loyoda
- Sunnyside Corporation Recalls 1-K Kerosene Heater and Appliance Fuel Containers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Flash Fire and Burn Hazard; Violates Mandatory Standards for Portable Fuel Containers
- Liuqibax Adult Bed Rails Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails; Sold on Amazon by Luqiba
- MNIENT Adult Portable Bed Rails Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violate Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails
- Noerishia Adult Portable Bed Rails Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Entrapment and Asphyxiation; Violates Mandatory Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails; Sold on Amazon by Hurzein
Rule change
- MSFH grants require insured value of $700,000 or less
- MSFH grants limited to homes built before 2008
- Florida Amendment 3 still shows yes above 60 percent
- Florida LTC waitlist is not first-come first-served
- CMS clarifies palliative care under home health benefit
- ACCESS adds heart failure and COPD tracks in 2027
- Social Security goes up 3.6% in 2027
- Fewer Medicare Advantage members have bathroom-safety benefits; check your 2027 plan
- Georgia says many Elderly Disabled Waiver approvals were entered wrong in its Medicaid system
- New Medicaid home-care waiver option for people who don't need nursing-home level care starts July 1, 2028
- Medicare telehealth from home runs through 2027
Stack play
- Rural homeowners 62+: $10,000 USDA repair grant plus a 1% loan
- Florida veterans 65+ with combat-related disabilities can get a property tax discount
- My Safe Florida Home: free hurricane inspection, then up to $10,000 for hardening
- After Isaias, Florida Housing will consider county and city requests to relax State Housing Initiatives Partnership rules
- Georgia's senior Medicaid waiver list has no home changes; the waiver that does is for ages 21 to 64
- Florida's Medicaid long-term care waitlist goes by score and frailty, not sign-up date
- One Florida number to start with: 1-800-96-ELDER
- Florida HCE can help pay for ramps when a caregiver lives with the senior
- Georgia's Area Agencies on Aging run a home repair and modification service paid for outside Medicaid
- Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) connects you to services for older adults
Local office
- Santa Rosa County's home repair programs both have a waitlist
- Bay County still has no weatherization provider listed
- Escambia LIHEAP runs through CAPC phone lines
- Panhandle weatherization runs through CAPC phone line
- USDA lists Crestview office for five Panhandle counties
- Pensacola SBA recovery center open through December 28
- Escambia disaster recovery center open; Bayview FEMA point closed
- Escambia County's home repair program is closed except sewer hookups
- Pensacola's Baptist Health is dropping Wellcare and Devoted Medicare Advantage plans
- Pensacola has a PACE center: nursing-home-level care while living at home
New program
- Alabama: up to $5,000 for home changes when leaving a nursing home
- ALS families: a $5,000 grant for ramps, bathrooms and equipment, open through Nov 30
- Georgia MFP can fund accessible home modifications
- Medicare ACCESS helps manage chronic conditions at home
- SBA opens Isaias disaster loans for Florida homes
- Southwest Georgia program sends an OT first, then contractors install the changes
- Flagler County offers homeowners 60+ a grant of up to $12,000 for ramps, grab bars and more
- Alabama pays up to $10,000 toward a storm-rated roof in coastal counties
New in tech
- FDA classifies wearable bone-vibration devices class II
- FDA classifies mild cognitive impairment prognosis software
- Fall-detection medical alert devices: NCOA tested which ones detect falls
Watch out
- Storm-season scams: check the contractor's license before you hire
- Got a 'Veterans Savings Program' postcard? VA says it is a scam
- Suction-cup grab bars were not effective over 28 days on any wall tested
Storm aid
- Eight Florida counties have Isaias Individual Assistance
- Hurricane Isaias: FEMA help for households is open in 8 Panhandle counties