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Resident urges help for seniors facing Social Security changes; city schedules electric-aggregation town hall
Summary
Pat Karlisky urged council to help elderly residents who lack computer access or transportation as Social Security shifts services online; Communications Director Valerie Wolford announced an electric-aggregation town hall with Ohio Consumers' Counsel outreach scheduled for next Thursday, to be livestreamed with one-on-one assistance available.
Pat Karlisky, a resident who identified herself and her address to the council, used the intergovernmental committee segment to urge officials to consider elders who may not be able to use online-only Social Security services or travel to distant area offices. Karlisky said some older residents do not use computers, cannot reliably take rides to area offices and will need help accessing benefits if services move away from phone support or local offices.
"The very senior citizens are used to using the telephone. They're not necessarily used to using a computer," Karlisky said, asking councilmembers to be mindful and to connect residents in need with assistance.
Communications Director Valerie Wolford told the committee the city will hold an electric-aggregation town hall next Thursday in the council chamber; the event will be livestreamed and recorded and will feature an outreach specialist from the Ohio Consumers' Counsel to explain how to read bills, compare offers and avoid common pitfalls. Wolford said staff will provide one-on-one help for attendees and that the city will publicize the event through the website, an e-newsletter and a local paper ad.
No formal action was taken on the Social Security concern during committees; the remarks were recorded as public comment and councilmembers acknowledged the issue and encouraged residents to reach out to city staff for assistance.
