You don’t have to be in financial difficulty to be interested in reducing the anxiety and uncertainty brought on by aging. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), there are more than 2,500 programs that offer assistance to elders looking for a simpler route through earned benefits.

You just need to know where to look.

BenefitsCheckUp, a website run by NCOA, allows users to look into opportunities and categories such as those for prescription drugs, health care, income support, food and nutrition, and housing and utilities.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” advises Jay Zigmont, a certified financial advisor and the owner of Live, Learn, Plan in Water Valley, Mississippi. “Until things get really bad, many seniors are reluctant to ask for assistance. Your friends, family, and neighborhood are here and prepared to assist you in any way they can. You may need assistance with applying for Medicare, creating a budget, preparing meals, or anything else. Simply ask.

Here’s a broad primer on the leaders in assistance for seniors.

• Volunteers of America — provides a wide range of service programs such as meal programs, transportation, Medicare enrollment help, nursing care, and affordable housing.
• Senior Living — offers a database of senior living options, from independent living to hospice-based care.
• Feeding America — provides meals for seniors by working with a nationwide network of food banks.
• Retirement Jobs — helps seniors not just find companies right for their skill set and work needs, but also to navigate through the age bias to secure employment.
• Dental Lifeline Network — provides access to dental care by working with volunteer dentists and dental labs across the U.S.
• Meals on Wheels America — with locations across the country, serves home-cooked, nutritious meals to adults aged 60 and above, served at home or in a group setting.
• AmeriCorps Seniors — links volunteer seniors to other seniors with daily tasks and companionship.
• National PACE Association — offers medical, rehabilitation, personal, and other types of care.
• ADA Paratransit — provides complementary transit services to eligible seniors with limited mobility.
• BenefitsCheckUp — is a service that provides access to services for seniors such as medications, healthcare, tax relief, and senior employment.

Government Programs for the Elderly

Fill the gap between your expenses and income by utilizing government programs. At the local, state, and federal levels, senior-specific government initiatives are accessible.

Housing, food, and healthcare will be three of your biggest outgoing costs after retirement.

Here are just some of the programs available to seniors nationwide that can help cut those costs.

Housing

Locally approved contractors do an energy audit as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, and then offer solutions where energy inefficiencies are found. A few of these include:

• Cleaning, tuning, repairing, or replacing heating and/or cooling systems.
• Installing programmable thermostats.
• Repairing or replacing water heaters.
• Installing insulation.
• Replacing inefficient refrigerators with energy-efficient models.

Families with one or more members who have a disability and those over the age of 60 are given preference for eligibility. Wait. On the subject of energy efficiency, there is more.

A 40-year-old program called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families with their energy expenses. The strategy involves assistance with handling expenses related to household energy bills, energy emergencies, weatherization, and energy-related (small) home repairs.

Rent is giving you problems. Do some research on the Housing Choice Vouchers Program. Previously known as Section 8, this program offers elderly people and low-income families payments to aid with rent.

Even when your mortgage is paid off, you’ll still need to deal with utilities and regular maintenance.

Senior homeowners who own their homes and have damage that is deemed detrimental to safety and health may be eligible for a grant of up to $7,500 through the Section 504 Home Repair Program.

Healthcare

The fact that seniors spend more on healthcare than any other age group is widely acknowledged. It frequently surprises people just how much money they spend.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s Retirement Confidence Survey, almost 40% of retirees say their healthcare costs in retirement are more than they anticipated. That may be the case given that, according to a survey conducted by the Insured Retirement Institute in August 2021, 4 in 10 seniors believe Medicare will fully cover all of their healthcare requirements.

That’s not how it works.

Spending by retirees over 75 is 16%–16%! percent of their income on medical expenses. Several initiatives have been created to help seniors with the cost of healthcare, including:

Medicare serves as the main source of senior healthcare assistance. It comes in three parts.

• Part A, if you have paid Social Security taxes for at least ten years (or your spouse has), you are eligible for free hospital coverage.
• Part B, covers non-hospital outpatient services, including medical checkups and rehabilitation. With a $233 annual deductible in 2022, Part B’s monthly premium will be $170. You typically pay 20% of the amount that Medicare has approved for the majority of outpatient services after achieving your deductible.
• Part C, It covers a variety of managed care options that private companies offer to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare beneficiaries who opt to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan are still responsible for paying the Part A or Part B premiums they would have paid had they stayed in Original Medicare. Prescription drug coverage may be included in some Medicare Advantage plans. You do not require additional insurance if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Part D, your medications’ costs are covered. In 2022, the typical Medicare Part D monthly premium will be $33. Beneficiaries with higher incomes pay more. The use of a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan is an additional method of obtaining prescription insurance.

A Medicare savings program can be available to you if you’re having financial trouble paying your premiums.

The following savings programs can be helpful if you are eligible for Social Security but are low on funds:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
• Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
• Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program

In 2022, the cap on countable resources for QMB, SLMB, and QI will be $8,400 for single people and $12,600 for married couples. QDWI is only allowed up to $4,000 ($6,000 for married couples).

Stocks, bonds, and cash in a checking or savings account are examples of countable resources. Your house and personal things are not included.

About 20% of Medicare subscribers also have Medicaid coverage. Medicaid is a health insurance program for elderly people with very little money. State-specific requirements apply, but if you are eligible for SSI, you should also be eligible for Medicaid.

iCanConnect offers technology assistance to Americans who have severe hearing and/or vision loss. In all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program is a federal program that is locally run. Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.

The Federal Communications Commission founded iCanConnect, which offers instruction and tools. Computers, braille displays, cellphones, tablets, and other communication equipment and technology are all covered by iCanConnect for those who qualify.

Food

Despite the fact that, on average, you’ll spend less money on food in retirement than at any other point in your life, you still need to eat, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are some initiatives to assist seniors in paying for food: (And it should be healthy.)

Low-income seniors are given monthly stipends by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help with grocery expenses. Formerly known as Food Stamps, this program.

You must provide proof of your low resources and income to qualify. The maximum gross monthly income through September 30, 2022, or $1,396 for individuals and $1,888 for a household of two, is equal to 130% of the federal poverty level.

The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a vital initiative to assist the elderly with food expenses. The SFMNP offers discount booklets to low-income seniors that can be utilized at participating farmers markets and food booths. Fresh and organic vegetables must be purchased with these coupons. They are not suitable for use with dried or canned products.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) can assist you if canned yams are more your style. Low-income households can get a range of commodities from TEFAP, including meat, dairy products, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, and more.

There’s a fair likelihood that you qualify for TEFAP if you also qualify for SNAP, but you should check with your state’s distributing organization to make sure.

By supplying low-income seniors over 60 with wholesome USDA food as a supplement to their meals, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) aims to promote their health.

Participating states and Indian Tribal Organizations receive funding for administrative and food expenses. The food packages offered by the CSFP are excellent providers of the nutrients that the benefit population’s diets generally lack, even though they are not intended to provide a full diet.

Jobs

A job can help you earn some additional money and take some of the boredom out of retirement.

A Stanford study titled “The Power of Working Longer” found that saving an extra 1% of income over the course of 30 years would enhance retirement income by the same amount after just three months of additional labor.

This implies that working a little bit longer might be more convenient than saving a little bit more.

For retirees wishing to return to employment, the Senior Community Service Program (SCSEP) pays anybody over 55 the minimum wage (federal, state, or local, whichever is highest) to serve at governmental or non-profit organizations.

SCSEP offers training for a wide range of positions, including those as a teacher’s aide, computer technician, or volunteer with nearby NGOs. Even so, you can seek additional employment options using the abilities you’ve developed during your working life.

To apply, visit Careeronestop.org. They can connect you with your local SCSEP office so you can get started on training.

“When seniors face a financial crunch due to debt and lack of income, they should focus on making money,” says attorney Solomon.

Consultant, subject-matter expert, teacher — all are prime candidates for seniors with a certain level of expertise and energy.

“Businesses generally hire consultants to assist them with specific tasks or provide assistance during transitions,” Solomon says. “Seniors can earn a lot of money, especially if they have the experience that companies are looking for. In addition, seniors usually have some leeway when it comes to selecting their working hours.”

Consider, also, Solomon suggests, investigating online or work-from-home jobs. Just be wary of scammers, who are almost anyone who asks for money upfront to set up your home office.

“Finding your sweet spot can be a challenge,” says CFP Zigmont, “but the local disability services or unemployment office may be able to help. Look at options for shorter days or less physical jobs if you have limitations. Find something you enjoy first, then worry about finding the right pay.”

Taxes

Some low-income seniors may fall below the threshold necessary to file a tax return. (Check with the IRS or a qualified tax preparer.) The rest should make every effort to be sure they’re paying Uncle Sam precisely what’s owed, and no more.

• Credit for the Elderly: Low-income people age 65+ at the end of 2021 who qualify may claim a credit that reduces their tax bill from $3,750 to $7,500. Seniors should check with the IRS or their tax preparer to see whether they qualify.
• Standard Deduction for Seniors: Since rules designed to simplify filing included in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, most taxpayers have used the standard deduction. For the 2021 tax year, the standard deduction for seniors filing singly is $14,250. Married senior couples filing jointly may claim a standard deduction of $27,800.
• Medical Expenses: Seniors with high medical expenses may qualify for an itemized deduction that is better than the standard deduction.