Welcome to Budget Seniors
Millions of older adults miss out on benefits simply because they don’t know they’re eligible. We’re here to help you discover and access the government programs, grants, and assistance you deserve.
Did you know? The average senior can save over $6,200 annually through available benefits programs. Many seniors qualify for multiple programs including Medicare Savings Programs, SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and more.
📞 Essential Contact Numbers
Medicare
For Original Medicare claims, premiums, coverage questions
Social Security
Retirement, disability, Medicare enrollment
Eldercare Locator
Connect to local services, meals, transportation, home care
Benefits HelpLine
NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp support specialists
💬 Live Chat Support Available
Need help right now? Chat with our benefits specialists
Get personalized assistance navigating government programs and benefits
Over 2,000 federal, state, and local benefit programs are waiting for you. Use the free tools below to discover what you qualify for in just minutes.
Find Your Benefits Now
Free, confidential screening tools to help you save thousands
🏛️ Major Government Programs
💊 Healthcare Assistance
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
- QMB: Covers Parts A & B premiums, deductibles, copays (income under $1,325/month)
- SLMB: Covers Part B premiums (income under $1,585/month)
- QI: Part B premium assistance (income under $1,781/month)
- Extra Help: Prescription drug savings (~$6,200/year)
Medicaid: Comprehensive health coverage for 7.2 million low-income seniors
🍎 Food & Nutrition
- SNAP: Monthly food benefits for eligible seniors
- CSFP: Free monthly food packages for seniors 60+ (income ≤185% FPL)
- Senior Farmers Market: Fresh produce vouchers at farmers markets
- Meals on Wheels: Home-delivered nutritious meals
- Congregate Meals: Free/low-cost meals at senior centers
🏠 Housing Assistance
- Section 202: Supportive housing for elderly 62+ with low income
- Housing Choice Vouchers: Rental assistance (pay 30% of income)
- Public Housing: Affordable apartments for low-income seniors
- LIHEAP: Help with heating/cooling energy bills
- Weatherization Program: Free home energy improvements
- Home Repair Grants: Fix safety hazards at 1% interest over 20 years
💰 Income Support
- Social Security: Retirement benefits (max $5,108/month at age 70)
- SSI: Cash assistance for low-income seniors 65+ (up to $967/month)
- FERS: Federal employee retirement system
- SCSEP: Job training & employment for seniors 55+
- Tax Credits: Credit for elderly/disabled ($3,750-$7,500)
🚗 Transportation Discounts
- Public Transit: 50% fare discount for seniors 65+ on most systems
- Free Transit: Some cities (Chicago, etc.) offer free senior rides
- GoGoGrandparent: Concierge service for Uber/Lyft without smartphone
- Paratransit Services: Door-to-door service for mobility-limited seniors
- Medicaid Transportation: Medical appointment rides covered
- Volunteer Driver Programs: Faith-based & nonprofit transportation
⚖️ Legal & Counseling
- Legal Services Corp: Free legal assistance nationwide
- Senior Legal Hotlines: Free telephone legal advice by state
- SHIP: State Health Insurance Assistance (1-877-839-2675)
- Area Agencies on Aging: Local resource connections
- Elder Abuse Protection: Advocacy and legal support
- Free Tax Help: IRS Tax Counseling for Elderly (TCE) program
💡 Additional Services & Discounts
🔌 Utility Bill Assistance
- Utility Discounts: Many cities offer 10-20% off water/electric for seniors 65+
- LIHWAP: Water & wastewater bill assistance
- Lifeline Program: $9.25 monthly credit on phone bills
- Georgia Power: Income-qualified discount for households under 200% FPL
- Connection Fee Waivers: Free utility hookups for qualifying seniors
🏥 Health & Wellness
- Dental Lifeline Network: Free dental care through volunteer dentists
- Vision Care: State programs for eye exams and glasses
- Hearing Aids: State assistance programs and AARP discounts
- iCanConnect: Free equipment for seniors with vision/hearing loss
- PACE: Medical & social services for frail seniors living at home
📋 Tax Relief Programs
- Higher Standard Deduction: Extra deduction if 65 or older
- Property Tax Exemptions: State/local discounts for senior homeowners
- Free Tax Preparation: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide for seniors
- IRS Tax Counseling: Free help from IRS-trained volunteers
- Elderly Tax Credit: Reduces federal tax owed (income limits apply)
👥 Social & Volunteer
- AmeriCorps Seniors: Community service opportunities for 55+
- Foster Grandparents: Paid volunteer mentoring children
- Senior Companions: Visit isolated seniors, earn stipend
- Friendly Visitor Programs: Social interaction with volunteers
- Adult Day Care: Recreation, meals, supervision during day
🎓 Employment & Training
- American Job Centers: 2,500+ centers with employment services
- Computer Skills Training: Free technology courses for seniors
- Retirement Jobs: Match seniors with age-friendly employers
- On-the-Job Training: Paid 20-hour/week positions through SCSEP
- Resume Help: Free resume reviews and job placement assistance
👨👩👧 Caregiver Support
- Respite Services: Temporary relief for family caregivers
- Caregiver Counseling: Free emotional support and training
- Adult Day Programs: Supervised activities while caregivers work
- Support Groups: Connect with other caregivers in your area
- Information Services: Help navigating benefits and resources
🧮 Helpful Tools & Calculators
💵 Social Security Calculator
Estimate your retirement benefits based on your earnings history
🏥 Medicare Plan Finder
Compare Medicare plans, costs, and coverage in your area
✅ Benefits Eligibility Checker
Find out which programs you qualify for in minutes
🏠 Rent Assistance Locator
Find affordable housing and rental assistance programs near you
📊 IRS Tax Assistant
Interactive tool to determine eligibility for tax credits
🎁 AARP Discount Finder
Discover thousands of member discounts on travel, dining, shopping
📊 Current Benefit Amounts
| Program | Maximum Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security (Age 70) | $5,108/month | 10+ years contributions, age 70 |
| Social Security (Full Age) | $4,018/month | 10+ years contributions, age 67 |
| SSI (Individual) | $967/month | 65+, limited income/resources |
| SSI (Couple) | $1,450/month | Both 65+, limited income/resources |
| Extra Help (Rx Drugs) | ~$6,200/year | Automatic with MSP enrollment |
| Tax Credit for Elderly | $3,750-$7,500 | 65+ or disabled, income limits apply |
🗺️ Find Resources by State
Many benefits vary by state. Use these tools to find programs specific to your location:
🔍 Eldercare Locator
Find local Area Agency on Aging, meal programs, transportation, legal services by ZIP code
🏛️ State Benefits Finder
Search programs by state and category – food, housing, healthcare, utilities
📞 Find Your SHIP Office
Free Medicare counseling in all 50 states – help choosing plans and reducing costs
🆘 Call 211 or 211.org
Connect to local emergency assistance – food, shelter, utilities, crisis support
🏠 State Housing Offices
Find housing authorities, Section 8 waitlists, rental assistance in your state
🍽️ Local Food Banks
166 million meals for seniors annually – find food pantries and meal programs near you
🔗 Essential Government Portals
✅ BenefitsCheckUp®
Screen for 2,000+ programs. Free, confidential tool by NCOA
🏛️ Benefits.gov
Official federal benefits portal – search all government programs
🏥 Medicare.gov
Official Medicare site – plans, coverage, costs, preventive services
💳 My Social Security
View benefits, earnings history, apply online, request replacement card
🍎 Senior Food Programs
SNAP, CSFP, Senior Farmers Market – eligibility and state contacts
🎖️ VA Health Care
Veterans benefits – healthcare, pensions, disability, survivors benefits
Warning: There is NO “$900 grocery stimulus” or “$3,300 government allowance card” for seniors. These are scams. Medicare and Social Security will NEVER call you unsolicited asking for personal information or money.
If someone threatens to cancel your benefits: Hang up immediately and call the official numbers listed above.
❓ Common Questions Answered
Quick Answers to Your Most Important Questions
Q: How do I know which programs I qualify for?
Use BenefitsCheckUp.org (free, takes 5-10 minutes) or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to speak with a benefits specialist who can help identify programs in your area.
Q: Can I get free transportation to medical appointments?
Yes! If you have Medicaid, transportation is covered. Many Area Agencies on Aging offer volunteer driver programs. Public transit offers 50% discounts for seniors 65+. Some cities like Chicago offer FREE transit for seniors.
Q: Are utility discounts available for seniors?
Many cities and states offer 10-20% utility discounts for seniors 65+ or low-income households. LIHEAP helps with heating/cooling bills. Contact your utility company or local Agency on Aging to apply.
Q: What if I don’t have enough work credits for Social Security?
You may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) which provides up to $967/month for low-income seniors 65+ regardless of work history. Spouses may also qualify based on their partner’s work record.
Q: Can I get help with prescription drug costs?
Extra Help covers prescription costs (saves ~$6,200/year). State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) provide additional help. Many drug manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE for information.
Q: Is there free dental care for seniors?
The Dental Lifeline Network provides free care through volunteer dentists. Many states have senior dental programs. Medicaid covers dental in some states. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for options.
Q: How long does it take to get approved for benefits?
Varies by program: SNAP (30 days), Social Security (3-5 months), SSI (3-6 months), Housing assistance (often has waiting lists of several months to years). Apply early and follow up regularly.
Q: Can I work while receiving Social Security?
Yes! If you’re under full retirement age, you can earn up to $22,320 annually without affecting benefits. After full retirement age, there’s no earnings limit. Your benefits may increase based on additional earnings.
- ✓ Apply for multiple programs – Many seniors qualify for 5-10 different benefits
- ✓ Keep copies of everything – Save applications, approval letters, and correspondence
- ✓ Reapply if denied – Many applications are denied due to missing paperwork; try again
- ✓ Ask for help – Benefits counselors at Area Agencies on Aging assist for FREE
- ✓ Check annually – New programs launch and eligibility rules change every year
- ✓ Report scams – Never give personal information to unsolicited callers
📝 How to Apply
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Step 1: Use BenefitsCheckUp.org to identify programs you may qualify for
- Step 2: Gather required documents (ID, proof of income, Social Security card, tax returns)
- Step 3: Apply online through program websites or call the numbers above
- Step 4: Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for application help (1-800-677-1116)
- Step 5: Follow up on applications – keep copies of all documents submitted
💡 Pro Tip: Many seniors qualify for multiple programs. Applying for one program (like Medicaid) can automatically qualify you for others (like Extra Help for prescriptions).