Free government money for senior citizens.
There are government programs that give free money to seniors, depending on their age. Various federal as we as state benefits help older adults, retirees and the elderly, and these are in addition to social security retirement funds. Find how to get free government money for seniors, including those age 50, 55, 60, or 65.
There is financial help near you from programs such as LIHEAP (or your state’s equivalent), free money from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for senior citizens, housing assistance and other long-term as well as emergency benefits. Seniors can apply for these free services as they hit certain age milestones. As some government programs provide free money starting at age 50 to 55. While others provide services to people age 60 or the elderly at age 65.
Free money for low-income or disabled seniors
Very low-income seniors age 65 or older or those with a disability can qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash benefits from the government. Persons must be at least 65 years old or have a disability. To qualify, a single person cannot have more than $2,000 in resources. Married couples cannot have more than $3,000 in resources.
When applying, the $2,000 and/or $3,000 cut off for resources include cash, bank accounts, vehicles, personal property, life insurance, and other items that could be converted to cash. Total household assets do not include a home and the property on which it sits, one vehicle if used by the household, household goods, and personal effects. Senior citizens or those with a disability can apply for free government money from SSI at a Social Security Administration office. Dial 1-800-772-1213, or seniors that are deaf and/or hard of hearing can call 1-800-325-0778
Many state government also provide additional financial help, including emergency money near you, to low-income seniors over the age of 65. It is often combined with SSI. Various local government and private programs provide free money, goods, and/or services to help eligible seniors, whether age 65 or younger (some states give aid to people age 55). The benefit will help the elderly meet basic needs involving food, utility costs, healthcare, and housing. Each state usually determines eligibility requirements. Locate an office for public aid.
Free government money to help seniors pay utility bills
The main senior citizen government energy assistance program, LIHEAP, gives priority for free financial help to the elderly over the age of 60. Note each state may also call this LIHEAP benefit a different name as well, and some states give free government grant money to those as young as age 55.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that provides grants to states designed to assist low-income households, with a focus on senior citizens and the disabled, with home energy costs for heating and cooling. In some states, a senior household may receive up to $1,000 annually in free government money to pay past, current, or future bills. Get applications to LIHEAP, including online.
- There will also be free government phones for the elderly as part of Lifeline, which is often combined with money from LIHEAP. This will help low-income older people over the age of 55 stay in contact with doctors, friends, and families. Locate free cell phones for seniors.
Water bill help is also available for seniors citizens. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides emergency, free government money up to $5,000 per senior or low-income family to help pay for water and sewer services. The money is generally intended to pay past-due bills and to avoid service disruptions of water or even sewer. Applications for both the energy and water assistance programs for senior citizens or elderly people are generally done through a local non-profit. Get money near you to pay water bills.
Free energy focused home updates, including some minor repairs, also help seniors, with a focus on those over the age of 60 up to age 70. The government funded Weatherization Assistance Program operated by the U.S. Department of Energy will help seniors reduce utility costs by conducting a home energy audit and providing fixes where inefficiencies are discovered. This may include free government money to seniors for cleaning, repairing, window replacement grants, or replacing heating and cooling systems, fixing or replacing water heaters, installing insulation or programmable thermostats, and replacing refrigerators.
The program is available to all low-income households including seniors who area renters, but eligibility preference is given to persons 60 and older or who are disabled. The program improves the energy efficiency of about 35,000 homes annually, saving those households hundreds of dollars or more per year. Programs are typically operated at the city or county level, and get free weatherization home updates.
Free money from the government for senior housing
The Housing Choice Vouchers Program, formerly known as the Section 8 housing program, is run by the federal government department of HUD. Local agencies provide subsidies, and possible section 202 vouchers as well, to low-income families and the elderly to help cover rental costs.
Applications for anyone, including seniors age 50 to 65, must be made through a local public housing authority near you. Vouchers can be used to pay the rent for an existing residence, including senior living home, if it qualifies or for another rental property that has been approved for the program. Locate apartments for seniors on social security.
Free senior homes repairs are available from the government. The Section 504 Home Repair Program, operated by the USDA, provides free government grant money of up to $10,000 and loans of up to $40,000 to help senior homeowners. Applicants can range in age from 60 to 65, depending on the state.
The money or loan will help the senior citizen repair conditions deemed hazardous to safety and health. Loans are made for 20 years at 1% interest. Applications can be submitted to the state's Rural Development agency, social services, or community action. Get a home repair for senior citizens free.
Senior food assistance
The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program distributes free coupon booklets to low-income seniors. The coupons can be used at participating farmers markets and food stands to obtain locally grown fruit, vegetables, honey and herbs. Vouchers cannot be used for canned or dried goods. The program is managed at the state level. To find the agency in charge of the program in your state, go to fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program.
Free government money for low-income seniors is what the SNAP program is about. This benefit, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides potentially hundreds of dollars per month for a single-senior citizen household. Note each state will often call SNAP food assistance a different name, and some states provide additional money to people over the age of 55 to up to 65.
- SNAP, using EBT cards, replaced the food stamp program in which paper vouchers were distributed. Now, free government money to help pay for groceries is loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used at checkout much like a debit card. Funds from the federal (and state government) are automatically replenished once a month.
- Research shows that fewer than half of eligible low-income senior citizens are taking advantage of the program. Some older people, whether they are 50 or 70 years old, may feel there is a stigma attached to receiving food assistance or quite frankly any money from the government. Others may feel they won't qualify. It is estimated by the USDA that at about 40% of senior citizens over the age of 60 who would qualify for SNAP have not applied.
To qualify for free government food assistance and the money on an EBT card to pay for groceries, household net income must be at or below the poverty line. Household assets cannot exceed $4,250. It does not cost anything to apply, and eligibility decisions are usually made very quickly. The benefits can be used at grocery stores, some pizza and fast food outlets, and many farmers markets. Learn more on SNAP benefit applications near you.
Senior citizens will often benefit from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The government program assists low-income families (the elderly and kids) by distributing packages containing free vegetables, fruits, cheese and dairy products, cereals, rice, juices, and more.
The government program provides boxes of actual food rather than vouchers. CSFP is available to low-income persons over the age of 60 with incomes below 130% of the federal poverty level. Applications are submitted to a state agency. Local hunger relief organizations usually coordinate food distribution. More on CSFP applications.
Meals on Wheels is a national non-profit organization operating more than 5,000 programs across the country that deliver free generally frozen meals to seniors, with some non-profits also offering hot meals from time to time. Meal costs are on a sliding scale from no cost to full price. Programs in each state determine eligibility. Find a free food home delivery for seniors near you.
Seniors can use a local food bank or pantry to get free stuff or save money. The number of people of all ages, including seniors over the age of 55, seeking assistance from food banks continues to grow, and people of all ages are now relying on these organizations to feed their families. Many food banks also give seniors (1) applications to free government benefits such as CSFP or (2) additional support, such as Ensure, Boost, or free money or coupons to buy those goods. Find a free food pantry.
Free government healthcare
Medicare is the primary source of low-cost or free government healthcare coverage for persons 65 and older as well as the disabled. However, there are monthly charges for Part B coverage and the annual deductible cost can strain the budget for low-income seniors. The Medicare Savings Program may pay up to the entire cost for senior citizen in addition to deductibles and co-payments.
- Seniors over the age of 55 who qualify for SSI benefits will most likely be eligible for free government Medicaid insurance as well. Medicaid can help cover the cost of long-term care, home-health aides, nursing home care, respite care, and assisted living, all of which are not covered by Medicare. There is also free government money to help seniors pay for equipment, transportation and other medical needs. Or look here for free medical supplies for seniors.
Medicare Part D is additional financial help for seniors age 65 and older too. The average cost for Medicare Part D coverage for prescription drugs can e covered by the "Extra Help Program" along with deductibles and co-pays. Dial 1-800-633-4227, or learn more on Medicaid insurance applications.
Additional free hardship grant money programs for senior citizens
In addition to these free senior services, sources of money and federal government benefits, many states provide programs designed to help seniors meet their basic needs. The National Council on Aging near you, local agency on aging centers and other non-profits provide healthcare, food and nutrition, housing, free government money for utilities, aging in place, long-term care, and more to people ranging from age 55 to up to 65. Each program is different, and select a state below.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Mexico
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Conclusion - senior citizens can get free money and benefits from the government
The average Social Security payment that seniors get from the government is under $2,000 per month. That's roughly 140% of the federal poverty level, an amount that would make the senior eligible to access most of the previously described programs that given them free money. Older adults, including people over the age of 60, can stretch their Social Security dollars, retirement funds and supplement their incomes by thousands of dollars annually from the free government programs near them. By doing so, they can ensure their basic needs are met and even have a bit left over to enjoy life.
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