The Family and Children’s Service (FCS) nonprofit, based in Long Branch, has extended its services to include a free bill-paying program for low-income seniors and the disabled.
The AARP Money Management program was introduced by FCS in February and is a service provided in partnership with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), according to Andrew M. McKillop, director of resource management at FCS.
“[FCS] serves people at vulnerable times in their lives through education, intervention, care and counseling,” said McKillop, who is supervising the billpaying program.
“The program seeks to help elderly residents,” McKillop said. “They are able to manage money with help, but these individuals need assistance with monthly bill paying and record keeping since they can become confused and forgetful. In many cases this facilitates the individual to remain in their own home.”
The program is offered to low-income senior citizens over the age of 60 and is also extended to those under 60 years old who have a disability, according to McKillop.
FCS recruits and trains AARP volunteers to provide assistance to low-income people who are able to make responsible decisions about their financial affairs, but who may be physically or mentally or otherwise impaired, McKillop explained.
The AARP bill-payer volunteers help clients with establishing a budget, organizing and sending out mail, writing checks and balancing checkbooks, according to McKillop.
“Since most clients are older and homebound, the volunteer provides the services at the person’s home,” McKillop said. “FCS coordinates the process and provides a compassionate contact point for the participants. The AARP Foundation provides the program materials and insurance coverage for the client’s funds.”
FCS is a social services agency that has been providing services for residents of Monmouth County since 1909. Each year FCS programs support more than 12,000 vulnerable people at every stage of their lives.
The agency offers 24 programs that provide care from prenatal to hospice, according to McKillop.
“We have been maintaining a standard of excellence since 1909,” McKillop said.
For more information on FCS or the bill-paying program, call McKillop at (732) 222-9111.

