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LifeCare® Continues to Expand Roster of
Services for Low-Income Individuals
LifeCare teams with MassMutual to offer free life insurance
to protect education of children of low-income workers
WESTPORT, Conn., October 6, 2005 – LifeCare®,
Inc., one of the nation's leading providers of life management services, has
again increased its growing list of services for low-income workers by integrating
a free life insurance program, called LifeBridgeSM, created by the Massachusetts
Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). Under the program, MassMutual will
issue a 10-year term $50,000 life insurance policy to a trust; MassMutual pays
the premiums. If the insured parent or legal guardian dies during the policy
term, the $50,000 is used to cover the educational expenses of the insured's
eligible children. LifeCare will help its client organizations host on-site
information sessions and application meetings and will refer low wage earners
to the free program along with its other counseling, education and referral
services, which offer a highly effective way for employers to serve employees
and families in great need. This, in turn, strengthens satisfaction and commitment
levels, improves on-the-job productivity and bestows employer-of-choice status.
LifeCare's low-income services include 24/7 counseling, education,
and referrals for:
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low-income housing;
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affordable child care and adult care facilities
close to home, work, or along an individual's commute;
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local assistance agencies that help families pay
for child care;
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local Head Start and children's health programs;
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private programs/services that are dedicated to
the social, academic and healthy development of children from low-income
families;
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a regional WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program,
which provides federal aid to income-eligible families;
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public transportation options;
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work-clothing programs (such as “Dress for Success”);
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state and county subsidy programs; and
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grandparents as parents programs. |
“We also help people find Medicaid-certified services, energy
assistance programs, free health insurance for children, and child care providers
who offer sliding-fees and discounts,” said John B. Place, LifeCare president
and co-founder. “And we're also an active member of Corporate Voices for Working
Families, a non-partisan, non-profit corporate membership organization that
has launched a groundbreaking public polling project on low-wage working families
and a series of employer/employee focus groups in Dallas and Chicago to discuss
the issues and challenges affecting low-wage working families.”
Place, who also oversees LifeCare's educational services (which
include counseling, information and referrals to schools at all levels, an educational
loan program, and seminars that address a wide range of education issues), said
that he and his LifeCare colleagues knew that they wanted to team up with MassMutual
the moment they learned of the LifeBridge Program. “Education is a precious
resource in the life of every child,” Place said. “But it's especially important
to those who are less privileged. The LifeBridge Program is a wonderful way
to help protect their futures and give their parents and guardians peace of
mind.”
“We're delighted to have LifeCare's support on the LifeBridge
Program,” added MassMutual's Cindie St. George, Director of LifeBridge Operations.
“MassMutual is committed to improving the communities in which we live and work,
especially in the area of education. We also recognize that one segment of the
population that believes most fervently in the value of our product is sometimes
one that can least afford it. So, we decided to find a way to make life insurance
available—at no cost—to hard-working, income-eligible families. LifeBridge
is our solution.”
LifeBridge is free and open to employed individuals. To be
eligible to apply, you must be between the ages of 19 and 42; the parent or
legal guardian of at least one or more dependent children under age 18; a permanent,
legal resident of the US; currently employed—full or part time—with
a total family income not less than $10,000 or more than $40,000 annually; and
in good health as determined by MassMutual's underwriting standards.
“Clearly, the need for these kinds of efforts and for programs
such as LifeBridge remains high,” Place stated. “LifeCare will continue to incorporate
services for low-income individuals into our offerings and we remain dedicated
to raising national awareness of this important issue.”
Notes to Editors
John B. Place is available for interview.
About LifeCare®, Inc.
With 22 years of experience in delivering highly
personalized counseling, education and referral services, LifeCare helps
people manage the day-to-day challenges of their lives and plan for their futures
more effectively. From child care and parenting needs … to elder care and
aging
challenges … to personal health concerns … and far beyond …
we provide high-quality tools and information 24/7 through our professionally
staffed call center and award-winning web site. LifeCare currently serves 1,500
client companies with 4.5 million individuals within health plans, governmental
agencies, unions and corporations. For more information, visit www.lifecare.com.
Media contact: Michael Civiello
LifeCare, Inc.
pr1@lifecare.com
203-291-4170
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