How to Find Benefits You May Qualify For

Many benefits for older adults go unclaimed, often because people do not know about the programs or assume they will not qualify. If you are an older adult on a fixed income, it is worth taking an hour to check what help may be available.

Types of programs to check

Health care costs

• Medicare Savings Programs (help with Medicare premiums)
• Extra Help (lower prescription drug costs)
• Medicaid
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs

Food

• SNAP
• Senior meal programs and Meals on Wheels
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program
• Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

Income

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veterans pensions and benefits

Housing and utilities

• Energy assistance (where funded)
• Property tax relief
• Housing assistance
• Home repair and weatherization programs (where available)

Other

• Lifeline phone and internet discounts
• Transportation programs
• Free tax preparation
• Legal assistance

Step 1: Use a free screening tool

BenefitsCheckUp, a free service from the National Council on Aging, asks questions about your situation and shows programs you may qualify for, along with how to apply. It is confidential and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

USA.gov also offers a benefit finder tool for federal programs.

Step 2: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging

Area Agencies on Aging serve every county in the country. They can explain local programs, help with applications and connect you to services like transportation, meals, caregiver support and home care. Find yours through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.

Step 3: Get help with Medicare-related programs

Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased counseling and can help you apply for Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help. Find yours at shiphelp.org.

Step 4: Call 211

In many areas, dialing 211 connects you with local information about food, housing, utility assistance, health care and other services.

Gather your documents

Applications often ask for:

• Photo identification
• Social Security and Medicare cards
• Proof of income, such as Social Security benefit letters, pension statements and pay stubs
• Bank statements
• Proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease
• Medical expenses, for some programs

Keeping these in a folder makes applying for multiple programs easier.

Tips for applying

• Apply even if you are unsure. Rules are often more generous than people expect, and some states have higher limits than federal minimums.
• Ask for help if forms are confusing. Counselors are available at no cost.
• Keep copies of everything you submit.
• Note deadlines and renewal dates.
• Follow up if you do not hear back.

Protect yourself from benefit scams

• Legitimate government programs do not charge application fees.
• No one can guarantee you will be approved for a program.
• Be wary of unsolicited calls, texts or ads promising benefits in exchange for personal information.
• Government agencies will not ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
• When in doubt, contact the agency directly using a phone number from an official website.

Terrameritavi is an independent publication and is not affiliated with any government agency or benefit program.