News From Kansas

AARP in Your State

November 2009

Warmer homes — More low-income Kansans than ever are eligible this year for help with weatherizing their homes to keep heating costs down.

Kansas will receive an additional $22.6 million for its weatherization program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, besides the $5.6 million the state received earlier this year. Kansas is one of only four states to get a second round of federal stimulus funds for such programs. State officials estimate an additional 5,820 homes could receive new insulation, energy-efficient windows, weather stripping and other home improvements that lower energy consumption and utility bills.

AARP is urging eligible residents to apply for the program. For details, or to find out if you are eligible, visit the Kansas Housing Resources Corp. at www.kshousingcorp.com.

October 2009

A way back — Kansans with dementia who wander from home may have a better chance of being found quickly before serious problems arise, thanks to the state's new Silver Alert law.

The Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature—an advocacy group whose elected members are age 60-plus—pushed for the measure. A committee appointed by state Attorney General Steve Six designed a protocol to coordinate efforts between law enforcement agencies and media outlets when a family member or caregiver reports an older adult missing. The system relies on community awareness to help locate the missing person, while respecting the individual's and family's right to privacy.

For details, go to www.ksag.org.

July-August 2009

Protecting your credit — A new credit freeze law, initiated by AARP Kansas, took effect July 1, allowing residents to safeguard their credit report information. AARP advocates worked to amend the previous law to allow all Kansans, not just victims of identity theft, to freeze credit reports—blocking others from making credit inquiries, seeing a credit report or creating new lines of credit. It was signed into law in April by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, D.

The amended law allows residents to place or lift a freeze on their credit reports with the three major credit-reporting agencies. Credit freezes will take up to five business days after a request, and consumers can lift them via the Internet in 15 minutes. The new law also lowers the fee for a request from $10 to $5.

For more information, e-mail ksaarp@aarp.org.