Financial hardship doesn’t discriminate.
In Bermuda, the high cost of living challenges even the most prepared, and many older adults find themselves struggling to afford the basics: food, electricity and medical care.
For nearly two decades, Age Concern Bermuda has been there to offer support when it’s needed most.
“We all need a little help sometimes. Falling behind on bills or encountering unexpected expenses is never something we plan on happening,” said Hayley Francis Cann, the charity’s client services associate.
“When it does, our older adults should know that there are people in their corner to assist. Hardship could happen to anyone at any time.”
In 2005, the charity launched a subsidised handyman service to help seniors with minor home repairs, but it was discontinued due to rising financial liabilities and the risks involved in managing the programme.
By 2012, media reports revealed that some seniors were facing electricity disconnections due to unpaid bills.
Addressing a vital need
The public responded with an outpouring of donations which led Age Concern to approach Belco about establishing a “Hardship Fund” specifically earmarked for seniors facing disconnection.
The electricity supplier and the charity worked closely, reviewing cases and conducting home visits to ensure the aid was being used appropriately.
It eventually evolved into a general hardship programme run by Age Concern, offering short-term financial support for food, prescription drug coverage, utility bills, minor home repairs and other essential needs.
Since then, the Age Concern Hardship Programme has helped hundreds of residents aged 50 and older.
“While the number is not exactly known since its inception, we are pleased to say that the programme has provided over 1,000 instances of support in the past five years,” Ms Francis Cann added.
Help is given to approved seniors no more than six times a year. Availability is “completely dependent” on the programme budget.
The programme does not cover mortgage requests, vehicle financing, major home improvements, overseas medical expenses or rent payments.
Anyone who applies must be 50 or older and must be a Bermuda resident. Applicants do not need to be Age Concern members. The process begins by filling out a hardship application form, available from members of the client services team.
“The client services team assesses an individual’s circumstances based on a general picture of their income, expenses and the financial implication of their request to those factors,” Ms Francis Cann said.
“Our belief is that applicants can use this support to redirect the trajectory of their current hardship. However, this positive change will not happen without a personal commitment from the applicant.”
Applicants can expect to hear from the assessment team with an approval decision within 10 to 14 business days.
Once approved, each applicant must:
- Attend at least three ACB education sessions per 12-month hardship cycle.
- Return receipts for grocery vouchers within 30 days of distribution.
- Be completely honest with other helping agencies of the support given by ACB.
“Failure to comply with the requirements listed above will make an applicant ineligible to receive future support,” Ms Francis Cann said.
“Our belief is that applicants can use this support to redirect the trajectory of their current hardship. However, this positive change will not happen without a personal commitment from the applicant.”
Assessments are valid for one year. Individuals may reapply if they’ve followed the programme’s requirements.
Gratefully accepted support
Many people seek help because they are on a fixed income and can’t afford basic necessities. Some are unemployed, some are underemployed.
“Specifically, last year the need for food support was the most commonly reported,” Ms Francis Cann said. “Their hardships often stem from chronic financial insecurity rather than sudden financial crises, however post-Covid we did note more clients citing job loss as a reason for their current need.”
She continued: “Many sources state a liveable income in Bermuda is above $60,000; many of our clients express that their annual income is below that of $36,000.”
The Hardship Programme has had a significant impact on the community. One hundred per cent of clients who responded to the most recent survey by Age Concern, confirmed that their immediate needs were met. Eighty per cent received financial aid or in-kind support such as groceries and toiletries.
Without such support, the consequences would be stark.
“For basic utility requests, they would likely experience the shut-off of an essential service like electricity,” Ms Francis Cann said.
“For food, they would be redirected to other support systems in place like Eliza DoLittle or The Salvation Army feeding programme. For medical, they may not have the means to move forward with a procedure or be forced to go into debt with a credit agency in order to proceed with attending to their medical needs.”
Funding determines how much support the charity can give. Donor partnerships play “a big part” in keeping the programme active, she added.
The team is grateful for the contributions of key donors over the past year: One Communications, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, RenaissanceRe, Allied World Assurance Company Ltd, Assured Guaranty, Belco, Centennial Bermuda Foundation, Everen, the Gibbons Group & family, Hammers Ltd, Hannover Re (Bermuda) Ltd, Karen Olson and the Bermuda Government.
The programme also benefits from generous in-kind donations received from community organisations throughout the year: pantry food items, hygiene and cleaning supplies, food vouchers, pharmacy vouchers, Belco vouchers and more.
There is still plenty of room for public support. Financial donations are always welcome. The charity also accepts pantry items and hygiene and household supplies from residents and local businesses.
Anyone interested in need of or donating to Age Concern Bermuda’s Hardship Programme can contact them on www.ageconcern.bm, 238-7525 or [email protected]
