Mabel T. Caverly Senior Center and Services in Anchorage is expanding its DEAP program to seniors in the Mat-Su Valley, thanks to a grant from United Way. The program provides small grants, up to $900, for dental emergency care for seniors age 55 and older who do not have insurance coverage for dental work.

Applicants must meet maximum income guidelines, but do not have to be members of the Mabel T. Caverly program. Payments are made to the service providers.

The program used to also cover eyeglasses, hearing aids and prescriptions, but changed its focus to solely dental emergency care, which is where most of the interest and need has been, said Denise Knapp, Mabel T. Caverly Executive Director. The grants have been available to Anchorage area seniors, and to Mat-Su seniors in the past, depending on funding.

Mat-Su area residents can apply beginning Oct. 1.

Application forms for both Anchorage and Mat-Su seniors are available online at http://www.mabeltcaverly.org/deap.html. Or call 907-276-1496 for information.